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Toll and Vignette Rules for Motorhomes and Caravans
Preparing for toll and vignette rules depends on one factor: your vehicle’s weight. The 3.5-tonne limit determines whether you follow car regulations or fall under the more complex lorry schemes. A small difference in weight can mean a big difference in costs and preparation. Discover how to travel on European roads worry-free and well-prepared.
\n\nThe 3.5-Tonne Limit: The Starting Point for Your Preparation
\n \nBefore you depart, check the maximum permissible total weight (MPTW) of your motorhome or caravan combination. This weight is stated on your vehicle registration certificate. This limit is crucial for the rules applicable in many European countries.
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- Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes: In most cases, your motorhome or car-caravan combination will follow the rules for passenger cars. This means you’ll use standard vignettes or regular tariffs at toll booths. \n\n \n
- Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes: As soon as your motorhome or combination is heavier, you often fall into a different category. This results in higher toll charges and sometimes the obligation to use an electronic toll device (On-Board Unit or OBU). \n\n
Please note that this refers to the maximum permissible weight, not the weight at which you are actually travelling. A motorhome that weighs 3,300 kg empty but has an MPTW of 3,800 kg falls into the heavier category.
\n\n\n\n‘ Don’t forget this, as checks are strict and fines are high. ’
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Vignettes in Europe: A Country-Specific Overview
\n \nIn some European countries, you need to buy a vignette to drive on motorways. The rules for motorhomes and caravans can vary by country, especially concerning combinations.
\n\n\n\nAustria: Vignette or GO-Box?
\n\n\n\nIn Austria, your vehicle’s weight is the determining factor. For motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes, you need a standard vignette, available as a sticker or digitally. A caravan towed by a car does not require a separate vignette; the vignette of the towing vehicle is sufficient. If your motorhome weighs more than 3.5 tonnes, you are obliged to purchase a GO-Box. This is an electronic device that calculates the toll per driven kilometre. Do not forget this, as checks are strict and fines are high.
\n\n\n\nSwitzerland: A Vignette for Each Component
\n\n\n\nSwitzerland applies a clear but strict rule. Every vehicle and every trailer up to 3.5 tonnes requires its own vignette. So, for a car with a caravan, you must purchase two vignettes: one for the windscreen and one for the caravan. For motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes, a lump-sum heavy vehicle charge (PSVA) applies, which you pay at the border.
\n\n\n\nOther Popular Vignette Countries
\n\n\n\nYou also need a vignette in other countries, but the rules are often similar to those in Austria.
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- Slovenia: A digital e-vignette is mandatory. Your caravan does not need its own vignette. Slovenia classifies motorhomes based on height above the front axle; most fall into the more expensive 2A category. \n\n \n
- Czech Republic: A digital vignette applies here for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. The vignette of the towing vehicle automatically covers caravans and trailers. \n\n \n
- Hungary: The e-vignette is linked to your registration number. For a car with a caravan, a vignette for the car is sufficient, as long as the combination remains under 3.5 tonnes. \n\n
Toll Roads: Paying Per Kilometre
\n \nIn Southern European countries such as France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, you pay tolls for using most motorways. Here, there are no vignettes, but toll booths or increasingly, camera systems that register your number plate.
\n\n\n\nTariffs and Vehicle Classes
\n\n\n\nAt toll booths, the system classifies vehicles based on height and the number of axles. Alcove motorhomes are often higher than two metres and fall into a more expensive category than passenger cars. A car with a caravan also incurs a higher tariff. A toll badge, such as those from Bip&Go or Fulli, speeds up passing through the gates and works in several European countries.
\n\n\n\nFree-Flow Toll Systems
\n\n\n\nMore and more countries, with France leading the way, are switching to ‘flux libre’ or free-flow toll systems. With these, you drive under cameras that scan your number plate without stopping. You then need to pay the toll yourself online within a set period (usually 72 hours). This requires extra attention to avoid fines. Inform yourself beforehand about the routes where this system is active.
\n\nEnvironmental Zones: The Sticker is Your Entry Permit
\n \nIn addition to tolls and vignettes, you’ll increasingly encounter environmental zones in Europe. Particularly in Germany and France, an environmental sticker is mandatory to enter many cities. Without the correct sticker, you risk a hefty fine. The German ‘Umweltplakette’ and the French ‘Crit’Air’ sticker are vehicle-specific and are best ordered online well before your trip. Plan your route smartly and check which cities on your journey have an environmental zone.
\n\n\n\nThe world of motorhome and caravan travel is constantly evolving, with new rules and technologies. Good preparation is the key to a relaxed journey. On the Traveler Tips website, you’ll find in-depth articles on route planning, travel preparation, and the best destinations for your road trip. Discover more and travel smarter.
\nFrequently Asked Questions
\nIn many European countries, a vignette is mandatory for motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes, often digital; caravans generally do not require a separate vignette if the towing vehicle has one. Countries such as France, Italy, and Spain use toll booths where motorhomes typically pay more due to height or weight. Additionally, environmental stickers are required in urban environmental zones, such as the green sticker in Germany and the Crit’Air in France, to avoid fines. For motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes, higher tariffs or specific rules for tolls and vignettes often apply.
\n\nTo check for toll roads and vignettes on your route, you can consult websites such as the ANWB (Dutch equivalent of AA/RAC), online platforms like Vignet-Bestellen.nl, or country-specific sites such as asfinag.at for Austria. Vignettes can be purchased digitally via the official websites of the respective countries or through apps. For toll booths in countries like France and Italy, it is useful to use apps such as Campercontact or ViaMichelin for toll calculations. Environmental zone stickers, such as the German Umweltplakette or the French Crit’Air, are often mandatory in cities and can be ordered online in advance.
\n\nYes, the weight and dimensions of your motorhome or caravan are important considerations. Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes often fall into a higher toll class, resulting in higher costs. For vignettes, the towing vehicle is usually the determining factor, although in Switzerland, a separate annual vignette is required for the caravan. Always check the specific rules per country, especially for a total weight over 3.5 tonnes.
\n\nNon-compliance with toll and vignette rules can lead to significant fines, ranging from €68 to €135 in environmental zones. In Germany, you risk a fine of €80 without the correct environmental sticker, while in Austria, border controls without a vignette can result in fines of €120 or more. For camera tolls, as in France, timely payment is essential to avoid further consequences. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes often fall into a higher, more expensive toll class.
\n\nYes, there are alternative routes without tolls or vignettes, and it is certainly worth considering them for conscious trip planning, especially with a motorhome or caravan. Although this often comes at the cost of travel time, these routes can save money and offer a more environmentally friendly alternative for travellers who wish to avoid environmental zones. Apps such as Campercontact or ViaMichelin can help in finding these alternative routes and calculating potential cost savings. However, always be aware of local environmental zones in cities, for which a sticker is often required.
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