The Federal Logistics and Mobility Office (BALM) monitors correct payment of the HGV toll throughout Germany in accordance with the German Federal Trunk Road Toll Act. Controls across the entire toll road network are ensured by combining various types of enforcement.
The monitoring of the flow of traffic on both motorways and federal roads is mainly the responsibility of the road toll service personnel. They carry out mobile checks on the toll road network, using approximately 320 specially equipped vehicles.
Mobile enforcement
The verification of correct toll payment takes place while passing or being passed by traffic subject to tolls. If the inspected vehicle has an OBU for automatic toll collection, this device is read out. The OBU is then automatically inspected to see whether it is working and whether the data relevant for the correct calculation of the toll is accurate.
For vehicles subject to tolls that are not equipped with an OBU, the control system uses the licence plate to determine whether a manual registration has taken place and whether it is correct. If there is any doubt as to whether the toll has been paid correctly, the vehicle in question is pulled over at the next parking area, examined in detail and the necessary control measures are taken.
Enforcement gantries and posts
The picture shows a toll enforcement gantry on a motorwaySource: BALM
Automatic control devices are used in addition to the road toll service. A total of 300 permanently installed enforcement gantries on federal motorways as well as approximately 620 enforcement posts on federal roads register whether the toll has been paid correctly for vehicles subject to tolls.
Both devices check whether vehicles passing by or through are subject to tolls and whether data relevant for tolling has been properly declared. If this is not the case, subsequent collection and administrative offence proceedings will be initiated.
The picture shows a toll enforcement post at a federal roadSource: BALM
The automatic enforcement devices are connected to the enforcement vehicles, which may then carry out checks further down the road. These devices automatically provide the road toll service with information on vehicles for which either an incorrect amount may have been paid or the toll may not have been paid at all.
The inspection personnel can then pull over these vehicles from the traffic. The vehicles can be pulled over either as part of stationary enforcement at suitable control points by inspection personnel or by means of automatic diversion signs at the road margin, or by mobile enforcement vehicles during the journey on toll roads.
The inspection personnel carry out a thorough check on the vehicles that have been pulled out. Any relevant documents must be handed over to the inspection personnel. If the suspicion of a missing or incorrect toll payment is confirmed, the inspection personnel collect the outstanding toll directly on site. Furthermore, the Federal Office for Goods Transport initiates civil offence proceedings and collects any resulting payments. If necessary, the personnel of the BALM can prohibit the vehicle from continuing its journey.
Additionally, the control system of the Federal Logistics and Mobility Office also comprises subsequent operating control. The appropriate interconnection of all enforcement procedures allows for controls all across the toll road network throughout Germany. Vehicles subject to tolls may therefore be checked at any time.
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