Toll France
What is a toll (requirement)?
Most countries in Europe charge toll fees. There is a so-called toll requirement. But what does that mean? Toll fees are charged for using many motorways and expressways as well as tunnels and bridges. The revenue generated from tolls is invested, for example, in the road network. This helps ensure a smooth journey on your way to your holiday destination. The primary areas for investment are infrastructure, traffic management and road safety, as well as environmental protection measures.
Infrastructure: Construction and maintenance of roads and motorways
Road safety and traffic management: New technologies such as intelligent transport systems or toll gantries
Environmental protection: Expansion of noise barriers or measures to reduce exhaust emissions
How are tolls collected in France?
Distance-based tolls, special tolls and city tolls
In France, there is no vignette requirement. Instead, distance-based tolls apply on motorways. Distance-based tolls are calculated based on the distance traveled and the vehicle class and must be paid at toll stations. You can use the road markings as a guide. The following rules apply:
Motorways (A): blue (toll roads)
National roads (N): green (toll-free)
Departmental roads (D): white (toll-free)
In addition, there are routes that are subject to special tolls and places where you need an environmental sticker.
Distance-based tolls: regulations and vehicle classes
Regulations for motor vehicles
Specific regulations apply to the following vehicles, which form the basis for assigning them to the different vehicle classes:
Motorcycles: are always charged the same toll rate, meaning motorcycles with trailers as well as trikes are tolled like motorcycles.
Cars: are tolled according to their overall height.
Vehicle combinations: If your trailer is up to 2 m in height, it is not tolled separately. Only combinations with a height of more than 3 m are tolled separately. In addition, combinations with a towing vehicle weighing more than 3.5 t permissible total weight (PTW) are classified as vehicle class 4.
Motorhomes: are tolled based on their overall height and weight. For motorhomes over 3 m in overall height and/or weighing more than 3.5 t PTW, a higher toll fee must be paid (Class 3 or 4). Since often only the height is measured, your motorhome may be classified as Class 2 even if it weighs more than 3.5 t PTW. Overall height includes all fixed attachments such as air-conditioning units, but not roof boxes, antennas or lighting equipment. If you need detailed information about the exact toll fees for vehicles over 3.5 t PTW, you can, among other sources, check the Autoroutes website under “Itinéaires et services” and select your vehicle category there.
Vehicle classes
Different vehicles can be assigned to different vehicle classes:
Class 1: Motor vehicles (MV) up to 3.5 t PTW (permissible total weight), including with a trailer (such as folding, luggage and pop-up caravan trailers), and up to 2 m in height
Class 2: Vehicles up to 3.5 t PTW and a height between 2 m and 3 m. This can also include motorhomes. This class also applies to combinations with a towing vehicle up to 3.5 t PTW and a height from 2 m to 3 m.
Class 3: 2-axle vehicles over 3.5 t PTW or with a height of 3 m or more
Class 4: Vehicles with 3 or more axles and over 3.5 t PTW or with a height of 3 m or more, as well as combinations with a towing vehicle over 3.5 t PTW or with a height of 3 m or more
Class 5: Motorcycles (also with trailer/sidecar) and trikes.
Please note that tandem axles in France are considered two separate axles (i.e., not as 3 axles).
Distance-based tolls: paying toll fees
In France, tolls can be paid using various methods. One special feature is the free-flow toll. With this system, the license plate is recorded electronically and the toll fee is charged accordingly—meaning you do not have to stop to pay. Please note, however, that digital payment (depending on the operator) usually must be made within 72 hours after using the road. Motorway sections covered by the free-flow system include, for example, the A13/A14 and the A79. In the future, the free-flow system is intended to be implemented on all motorways, but most motorway sections still have classic toll stations. Toll stations can follow the system below:
Closed toll system: When entering the motorway, you must take a ticket, which you then pay when leaving the motorway. The amount is based on the distance traveled and your vehicle class. Payment is possible in cash and by credit card.
Open toll system: The open toll system applies when a flat-rate amount is charged at toll stations, independent of the distance traveled. The lanes are assigned to payment methods and staff: lanes with a green arrow are open to all vehicle categories for paying the toll, while at the automatic “cb” booths you can only pay by credit card. Staffed payment booths are also indicated by a pictogram. Lanes marked with a “t” are only accessible to users of the Télépéage system.
Télépéage system: This system works using a transponder purchased in advance, which is used to record the distance traveled and must be installed in the vehicle beforehand. This means you do not have to stop at the toll stations and can continue driving directly via the “t” lanes at toll stations. Vehicles under 3 m in height can use this transponder (on-board unit).
Special tolls: tunnels and bridges
This section provides an overview of the toll tunnels and bridges in France for which an additional fee (special toll) is charged, independent of the distance-based toll. The amount of the special toll varies between the different tunnels.
Tunnels connecting two countries:
In these tunnels, you can pay with cash, credit card (e.g., Mastercard or VISA) or with certain fuel and service cards.
Fréjus Road Tunnel (France–Italy): You can find detailed pricing information on the tunnel’s official website.
Mont Blanc Road Tunnel (France–Italy): Please note that the tunnel may be temporarily closed in the coming years due to renovation work. In addition, vehicles powered by autogas (LPG) must be declared at the toll booth. The vehicle owner will receive a label that must be affixed to the windshield during the crossing. You can find detailed pricing information on the Mont Blanc Road Tunnel’s official website.
Tunnels within France:
Prices for passage vary depending on the tunnel:
Maurice Lemaire Tunnel
Puymorens Tunnel
Prado Carénage Tunnel (Marseille)
Prado Sud Tunnel (Marseille)
Duplex Tunnel A68
Caluire Tunnel
Bridges:
The price for using the bridge varies depending on the bridge:
Île de Ré: The special toll depends not only on the vehicle class but also on the time of year. The toll is higher from 15/06 to 15/09 than from 02/03 to 14/06 and from 16/09 to 14/11. The bridge is cheapest from 15/11 to 01/03.
Pont de Normandie
Pont de Tancarville
Millau Viaduct: Here too, the special toll depends not only on the vehicle class but also on the time of year. The toll is higher from 15/09 to 19/06 than in the period from 16/09 to 14/06.
The environmental sticker: city toll
In France, there are environmental zones that also apply in some cities. Therefore, you must purchase the paid Crit’Air environmental sticker in order to drive into the respective cities. Outside these environmental zones, however, no environmental stickers are required in France.
To visit the following cities, you will need an environmental sticker, among other things. It is important to note that this list represents only a selection of the sticker-required cities and includes only the best-known locations. Therefore, you should obtain the environmental sticker in good time and check your destinations and any additional cities before starting your trip.
Grenoble
Lille
Lyon
Marseille
Montpellier
Nice
Paris
Strasbourg
Toulouse
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey
We wish you a safe trip and an unforgettable travel adventure. Feel free to use our route planner for your planning. If you have any questions, you can contact us at any time via email.
FAQ: Questions about your trip
Is there a vignette requirement in France?
No. In France, there is no vignette requirement as there is in Austria or Switzerland, for example. Instead, many motorways charge a distance-based toll.
How does the motorway toll work in France?
The toll is generally calculated based on the distance traveled and the vehicle class. In most cases, you pay at toll stations, either in a closed system (take a ticket, pay when exiting) or an open system (flat-rate fee at a toll station).
What is the difference between a closed and an open toll system?
Closed system: You take a ticket when entering and pay when leaving, i.e., the amount depends on the distance and vehicle class. Open system: A flat-rate fee is charged at a toll station, regardless of the distance traveled.
What does “free-flow toll” mean in France?
With free-flow tolling, there are no barriers or classic payment booths. The license plate is recorded electronically and the toll is then paid via the payment methods offered by the operator (e.g., online or via partner payment points).
How do I pay the free-flow toll and what deadlines apply?
Payment is made afterwards via the respective operator portals or connected payment methods. Important: payment deadlines apply, which can vary depending on the route/operator (often within a few days after passage). Pay attention to the information provided along the road.
Can I pay tolls in France in cash or by card?
Yes. At many toll stations, payment by credit card is possible and often also in cash. The signage and symbols above the lanes help you choose (e.g., card symbol/“cb” for card payment).
What is the Télépéage system and do I need a device for it?
With Télépéage, the toll is automatically billed via a transponder. This allows you to use dedicated lanes at many toll stations and usually avoids stopping. Note: Télépéage offers are generally services provided by external providers or operators.
What is the special toll in France?
Special tolls are additional fees that apply independently of the normal motorway toll. This includes certain tunnels or bridges (including international connections such as Mont Blanc or Fréjus).
Do I need an environmental sticker (Crit’Air) in France?
In certain environmental zones (sometimes also in cities), the paid Crit’Air sticker is required. Outside these zones, it is generally not mandatory.
In which cities is the Crit’Air sticker required?
This depends on the designated environmental zones and can change (e.g., due to new regulations or temporary measures). Before traveling, check your route and destinations, as well as the applicable environmental zone rules there.
How are vehicle classes determined for tolls in France?
Depending on the vehicle type, classification is based on factors such as height, permissible total weight (PTW) and number of axles. This means cars, combinations and motorhomes can be classified differently.
