The toll helps to make low-emission vehicles more attractive for transport companies. In addition, more and more companies are shifting their cargo transport to more environmentally friendly alternatives such as rail transport or inland watercraft.

Vehicles subject to toll

As per Section 1 paragraph 1 clause 2 Federal Trunk Road Toll Act (BFStrMG), vehicles subject to toll are defined as all motor vehicles or vehicle combinations with a maximum permissible weight (including trailer) of at least 7.5 t, which

• are intended for transportation of goods (1st alternative) or
• are being used for this purpose (2nd alternative).

Exceptions from tolling include, for example, road maintenance, road operation, road cleaning and winter road maintenance services, if commissioned by the public sector.

Toll road network

In Germany, the toll requirement applies on all federal trunk roads and federal motorways.

It does not apply to:

1. the section of A 6 motorway from the German / French border to the Saarbrücken-Fechingen junction in both directions,
2. the section of A 5 motorway from the German / Swiss border and the German / French border to the Müllheim/Neuenberg junction in both directions,
3. sections of federal trunk roads for the use of which a toll is levied in accordance with article 2 of the German Private-Sector Funding of Trunk Road Construction Act of 30 August 1994 (Federal Law Gazette, part I, page 2243), as amended.

Since 1 July 2018, the toll requirement also applies on single-lane road sections and through roads.

Calculation of toll rates

Toll rates are based on the distance travelled on a toll road. All toll-liable sections are listed at toll table.

The toll rate per kilometre is composed of three parts:

• infrastructure costs
• costs of air pollution
• costs of noise pollution

The amount depends on the emission class and the vehicle’s weight class.

Since 1 January 2019, the following weight classes apply within the emission classes:

• from 7,5 t to 11,99 t
• from 12 t to 18 t
• more than 18 t with up to 3 axles
• more than 18 t with at least 4 axles.

The following downloads section includes an overview of the individual toll rates, a guide for determining the emission classes of commercial vehicles as well as a leaflet with general information.

Under “toll violations”, you will find information on the subsequent collection of tolls and the punishment of violations of the Federal Trunk Road Toll Act as an administrative offence.

For further information, please refer to the FAQ on HGV tolling.