Toll extension in Germany for vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes

The HGV, or commercial vehicle toll, is a distance-based road user charge. It was introduced in 2005 on federal motorways and extended in 2012 to sections of federal roads. According to the German Federal Trunk Road Toll Act (§ 1), domestic and foreign motor vehicles or vehicle combinations weighing over 7.5 tonnes are subject to tolls. Tolls are incurred when entering a federal trunk road and apply to federal roads and motorways and connected fuel stations and rest areas.
The reason for the toll change is EU requirements within the Eurovignette Directive and the ‘Wegekostengutachten’ of the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport. According to the directive, HGV tolls should be based on the cost of traffic infrastructure, including construction, operation, maintenance and expansion.

Since 01/12/2023, tolls have been calculated based on distance travelled and a toll rate in cents per kilometre. The toll rate results form the costs of traffic-related CO₂ emissions as well as air pollution, noise pollution and infrastructure costs.
The proportional toll rate for infrastructure and noise pollution depends on the weight class and number of axles for vehicles weighing over 18 tonnes.  On 1 December 2023, the basis for assigning weight class changed. Previously, permissible gross vehicle weight (GVW) was the deciding factor. This was replaced by technically permissible maximum laden mass (TPMLM). 
As a result, vehicles may fall into a higher weight class or become subject to tolls, e.g., HGVs with a maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW, field F.2). 
The proportional toll rate for air pollution is based on a vehicle’s emissions class. 

The CO₂ emissions classes introduced on 1 December 2023 are based on the CO₂ emissions of a vehicle. Vehicles are classified into one of five CO₂ emissions classes. Specifying a vehicle’s CO₂ emissions class is the responsibility of the toll customer. All registered toll customers are initially classified by Toll Collect as CO₂ emissions class 1. A cheaper class can be requested in the Toll Collect portal for vehicles registered on or after 1 July 2019.

Current toll tariffs (as of 01/12/2023) can be found on the Toll Collect website.

Toll Collect | Toll tariffs from 1 July 2024 (toll-collect.de)

In Germany, tolls are typically collected electronically via a toll box, also known as an on-board unit (OBU). The OBU submits toll information to the toll collection point. In Germany, Toll Collect calculates and invoices the tolls. 
With UTA Edenred, you have an experienced partner by your side who relieves you of the burden of Europe-wide toll processing, from the provision of information and registration with toll operators to the installation of OBUs and settlement of tolls. 
With our UTA One® next OBU, you can manage tolls quickly and efficiently. You’ll gain transparency into fees and can see the routes taken by your drivers.

From July 2024, domestic and foreign commercial vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes in Germany will also be subject to tolls. The HGV toll will then affect commercial freight transporters that use motorways and toll roads. Vehicle combinations are only subject to tolls if the technically permissible maximum laden mass (F.1) of the towing vehicle is over 3.5 tonnes. There is an exemption for tradesmen and similar businesses.

Toll Collect | Registration Toll Exemption (toll-collect.de)

Vehicle combinations are only subject to tolls if the towing vehicle (motor vehicle) has a technically permissible maximum laden mass (F.1) of more than 3.5 tonnes.

Toll Collect | Registration Toll Exemption (toll-collect.de)

The 2024 toll extension also affects companies operating vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes. Under certain conditions, some vehicles may be exempt from tolls.

Electric vehicles have significantly lower CO2 emissions than conventional combustion engined-vehicles. They are therefore exempt from tolls even after the recent law changes.
In accordance with § 2 No. 1 of the Electromobility Act, this includes purely electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. This also applies to electric HGVs over 7.5 tonnes. They are also exempt from tolls.

Zero-emission vehicles, such as electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are toll exempt until 31 December 2025. Accordingly, these vehicles are subject to a proportional toll rate reduced by 75 percent for infrastructure costs as well as proportional toll rates for extreme air pollution and noise pollution costs. Zero-emission vehicles with a TPMLM of up to 4.25 tonnes are permanently exempt from tolls.

According to the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM), motorhomes weighing over 3.5 tonnes are generally exempt from tolls if they have permanent “living facilities”, such as living space, toilet, shower, beds and cooking facilities. However, such campers may only be used for passenger transport. The same applies to box body HGVs that have been converted to motorhomes. Since camping vehicles are usually recognisable from the outside, they remain toll exempt without any administration required.

Natural gas-powered vehicles have been subject to tolls since 01/01/2024 or, in the case of vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, will be subject to tolls from 01/07/2024. 

In accordance with the EU Directive, individual member states can maintain exemptions for tradesmen. This also applies to Germany.
Meaning: Tradesmen’s vehicles weighing between 3.5 to 7.5 tonnes remain exempt from tolls.

However, there is no exception for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes: their toll has been significantly increased from 2024 just like other vehicles.

The law does not provide a general toll exemption for tradesmen; rather a travel-related toll exemption. Travels that do not meet the requirements are subject to tolls. 
A list of professions that meet the requirements for the tradesmen exemption can be found on the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility website. 

The tradesmen exemption also applies to foreign trade businesses. 
During toll checks, proof must be provided that the trip meets the requirements of the tradesmen exemption. Examples of proof include a trade/business card, (a copy of) the business registration, delivery notes or customer orders. Proof must be presented in German or as a German translation. 

However, there is no exception for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes: their toll has been significantly increased from 2024 just like other vehicles.

More information on the tradesmen exemption can be found on the Toll Collect website.

Companies and owners of non-toll vehicles can register them voluntarily with Toll Collect. Registration prevents unnecessary controls, diversions and hearings. This saves time and effort. Registration is valid for two years, then can be extended. Registrations that have not been renewed by the expiry date will automatically expire.

UTA Edenred offers a toll solution for every type of vehicle, allowing you to travel efficiently in Germany and/or seamlessly across European borders. 
If you travel primarily in Germany, we offer a reliable billing service for toll collection via the Toll Collect OBU. 
If you regularly travel to other European countries, then UTA One® next is the right OBU solution for you! It covers 17 toll contexts in 15 countries. Tolls are electronically recorded via a single device. You can keep track of all your transactions in your customer account.
For all scenarios, you benefit from clear, itemised billing; convenient processing via UTA Edenred; and a mobility partner that’s by your side when and where you need it.