Transport operations in Europe – a challenge for entrepreneurs
Operating a transportation business in more than one country is a challenge on many levels. Transporting people and goods abroad requires, among other things, proper licensing, constant discernment of constantly changing international transport regulations, detailed route planning and the ability to adapt to unforeseen conditions.
However, these are just some of the challenges carriers and drivers face. No less important, and often just as problematic, is finding one’s way around the varying toll systems that prevail throughout Europe. If you operate in two-three countries, this should not cause much trouble. The problems begin when a company operates (or wants to operate) throughout Europe.
Among the most popular tolling systems are:
Vignette system
A vignette is a type of ticket that a driver is required to purchase before entering a toll road. The vignette is valid for a specific period of time (for example, ten days, two months or a year – such a division is in effect in Austria in 2023), Thanks to this solution, there is no need for entry and exit gates on highways or expressways.
You can get a vignette at gas stations, border crossings, and increasingly online before you leave. In the event of a roadside check, the driver should carry a vignette or a document certifying its issuance.
Many countries use vignettes for an obvious reason – thanks to this system, road throughput increases: traffic jams do not form on entrances and exits, so well known in countries where toll collection takes place at gates.
However, the vignette system is not without its drawbacks – the appropriate vignette must be purchased before hitting the road, and their types and prices often vary significantly. So it’s easy to make a mistake and buy the wrong vignette. Drivers also happen to inadvertently enter a toll road (for example, when the situation forced an unforeseen change of route).
When buying an e-vignette, it is also worth noting when it will take effect. For example: in Austria, a vignette purchased online can only be activated 18 days(!) after purchase – so if a carrier wants to purchase an e-vignette for travel in Austria, it should do so well in advance.
You will encounter the vignette system in Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland and Hungary, among others.
Eurovignette
The Eurovignette system is used in four countries – Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Thus, if the route of a truck with a gross vehicle weight of more than 12 tons falls through any of these countries, it will be necessary for the driver to obtain a Eurovignette – a document authorizing the driver to travel on the road in a truck.
The Eurovignette should be purchased before setting out on the road – this can be done at gas stations and other traditional outlets (for example, at border crossings), or online – the electronic Eurovignette works exactly the same as its paper counterpart.
The cost of purchasing a Eurovignette depends on its duration – daily, weekly, monthly and annual vignettes are available for purchase.
What do we pay for on Europe’s roads?
Truck drivers in Europe need to remember that road tolls are not just tolls – that is, charges for using a stretch of road – and we pay not just for highways or expressways. Often there is an additional charge for crossing bridges or moving through tunnels.
The question posed can also be understood as “why” do we pay on Europe’s roads? Here the answers are usually two. First of all: in this way we contribute to the maintenance of roads and road infrastructure in good quality. Second: we are implementing the European Union’s environmental policy in this way.
Toll, or toll for a stretch of road
This type of toll is usually collected at gates located at the entrances and exits of highways, bridges and other toll roads. The amount of the toll is determined based on a number of factors, including the permissible total weight of the vehicle, the type of road, the length of the distance traveled or the emission standard the vehicle meets.
How is payment collected for the distance traveled? Here, too, the answer will vary depending on the country in which you make the trip. The most common are still the traditional entrance and exit gates – but it is rare to encounter a toll collector. Usually it is enough to press a button and collect a ticket when entering a toll road section and pay at the terminal when exiting.
E-toll
Systems that collect tolls based on geolocation data are becoming increasingly popular. In Poland, e-TOLL has been in operation since 2021. Under this solution, drivers can pay their highway tolls using one of three methods:
Payment in the e-TOLL mobile application
The e-TOLL app is available for smartphones, and its functionality includes paying toll roads and managing account balances. Besides, it is possible to realize the obligations of carriers of sensitive goods in the application. The e-TOLL app does not offer additional services, but it has two advantages: it is free of charge and does not require the purchase of any device (other than a smartphone).
Installation of the on-board unit (OBU)
An on-board-unit is a device that transmits geolocation data and enables the e-TOLL system to charge toll roads. The downside of OBU is the risk of being unplugged – if the driver does not notice this in time, and drives through a toll road section, he risks a fine. The advantage of OBU, however, is that it can be installed in another vehicle if needed.
Before you decide to buy an OBU device, make sure it is listed on the Ministry of Finance’s list of approved devices. You can find the full list here.
External localization system
A system installed in the vehicle that also allows e-TOLL payments. This system also allows GPS monitoring. Using ZSL, the driver does not have to do anything before entering the toll road – the system will automatically (based on geolocation) mark the starting position of the vehicle or set of vehicles and collect the toll when exiting the toll road. The ZSL is assigned to a specific vehicle and there is no way to “rewire” it to work with another vehicle.
As with OBU, before installing ZSL, verify that the service provider is on the list of verified providers.
Important!
Registration with e-TOLL is mandatory for vehicles with a GVW of more than 3.5 tons traveling on toll roads.
E-toll is in effect in many European countries. We will come across this system in Poland, Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Ireland or the UK, among others.
EETS, or European Electronic Toll Service
Although we mentioned at the beginning of the post that there is still no uniform toll that works across Europe, every now and then there are attempts to change this.
The EETS system is a major step toward standardizing tolls – it uses an OBU, or on-board unit, which we wrote about earlier. Properly configured, all you have to do is install the device in your vehicle and then hit the road – all charges will be collected automatically. The driver or carrier using the OBU pays the EETS provider for the service, and in turn the provider settles with the relevant authorities – so it becomes an intermediary.
For transport companies that travel regularly on routes throughout Europe, EETS provides a solution to the problems of disparate tolling systems and constantly changing tariffs. Poland joined the program in October 2022.
What can the toll amount depend on?
Since we are talking about existing tariffs, it is also worth mentioning that tolls are determined based on various factors. Here are some of the most important:
- distance traveled – the longer the route, the higher the fee. However, this does not mean that we will pay the same amount for every 100 kilometers driven. In many countries, the conversion rate per route kilometer varies by region or even by specific toll road. In addition, as a general rule, going through tunnels or mountainous areas costs more – this, of course, involves higher road maintenance costs.
- The number of axles of the vehicle – the more, the more expensive.
- Permissible total weight of a vehicle or combination of vehicles – weight categories of vehicles also vary from country to country. We can often find a division between motorcycles, cars, trucks with a GVW of more than 3.5t and buses.
- Emission class – the most popular class – Euro – includes six grades, with Euro 6 being the greenest vehicles. Gas-powered and electric vehicles can often enjoy the lowest fares or travel on the road free of charge.
They are not always applied all at the same time – many times tolling depends on only two factors (e.g., distance traveled and DMC).
Obligation to use e-toll
Keep in mind, however, that it is not only the amount of toll that varies. It is worth checking whether the electronic toll payment obligation applies to our vehicle in the country where we plan to route.
For example, in Poland, Belgium or Hungary, e-toll is mandatory for drivers of vehicles with a permissible total weight of more than 3.5 tons. In Germany, this applies only to vehicles or vehicle combinations with a GVW of more than 7.5 tons, while in the UK the threshold is as high as 12 tons!
Remember, however, that some countries have decided to introduce electronic tolling for all vehicles, regardless of their weight (this is the case, for example, in Portugal or Romania).
