Tolls in France: All information and toll routes

Which vehicles are subject to tolls?
Two toll systems: Barriers or automatic free-flow
Special routes cost extra

In France, the toll system helps to finance the transport infrastructure. It contributes to the preservation, modernisation and expansion of motorways, tunnels and bridges. Various private and state companies that operate the system in accordance with national regulations are responsible for toll collection and administration.

Since the toll system was introduced, costs for the construction, operation and maintenance of roads are mainly covered by toll fees. Various payment systems such as cash, credit card, toll cards or electronic systems (Télépéage) ensure flexible and transparent processing for occasional drivers and commercial transport operators.

As part of France’s climate targets, a vehicle’s emissions class is factored into the toll calculation: Vehicles with higher emissions pay more, while environmentally friendly vehicles benefit from discounted rates. The goal is to make road traffic more sustainable and to promote the use of climate-friendly technologies.

Valid for vehicles	Route	Payment options
Trucks > 3.5 tonnes or over 3 m high	Motorways, bridges, tunnels, car parks	UTA One® next toll box; Telepass EU toll box; UTA MultiBox®light / light vario toll box; UTA MultiBox® toll box
HGV > 3.5 tonnes	Fréjus and Mont Blanc Tunnel	Toll card TMB / Fréjus Card or payment via UTA Card possible
Car ≤ 3.5 tonnes and max. 3 m height incl. trailer	Motorways, bridges, tunnels, car parks	UTA MultiBox® Liber-t toll box; UTA One® Move toll box
Passenger cars ≤ 3.5 tonnes	Fréjus and Mont Blanc Tunnel	Payment possible via UTA Card

In France, trucks over 3.5 tonnes have a closed toll system on almost all motorways. Fees are usually charged when you leave the toll route at toll booths. The toll amount depends on distance driven, vehicle class, number of axles and emissions class. There are additional charges on certain toll routes, such as the Mont Blanc Tunnel or Fréjus Tunnel. There are only isolated toll-free sections, so the use of toll roads on most routes is unavoidable.

Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes subject to tolls

Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes must generally pay a toll on tolled motorways. The classification is based on vehicle class, number of axles and emissions class. The French system distinguishes between:

(Télépéage Inter Sociétés - Poids Lourds) for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes or a height over 3 metres (Classes 3 & 4).

Payment is flexible: cash, credit card, toll card or electronic Télépéage solutions that allow automatic passage through the toll booths. On some motorways, tolls are billed electronically via free-flow systems, where fees must be paid online within 72 hours.

Toll-exempt vehicles

Certain vehicles are exempt from tolls. These include emergency, agricultural and public service vehicles. The payment obligation also lapses for vehicles that are only on toll-free routes.

Carbon toll

France factors the emissions class of trucks into its tolls. Vehicles with low-emissions drives benefit from reduced fees while trucks with higher emissions pay more. This system promotes the use of environmentally friendly vehicles and supports the reduction of CO₂ in road traffic.

In France, tolls are charged on almost all motorways. This should be taken into account when planning a route, as the amount of the fees is calculated according to vehicle category, vehicle height and distance driven. In addition, certain tunnels, bridges and in some cities (e.g., Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, Toulouse) charge fees for environmental stickers or city tolls. Invoicing is undertaken at toll offices or electronically.

Vehicles are classified on toll roads according to vehicle class:

Class 1: Passenger cars up to 3.5 tonnes of permissible total weight, height up to 2 m, even with smaller trailers.
Class 2: Passenger cars up to 3.5 tonnes with a height between 2 and 3 m, e.g., camper vans or trailers with towing vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes
Class 5: Motorcycles (also with sidecars), trikes

The toll can be paid at toll booths or operator facilities or via electronic toll systems (Télépéage) with automatic passage or free-flow system, in which vehicles are automatically recorded and fees paid online within 72 hours.

The car toll in France thus offers a simple and transparent way to use motorways and special routes. Electronic payment solutions such as Télépéage or the free-flow system make processing convenient, while driving without paying can lead to fines.

Ile de Ré – More information
Pont de Normandie – More information
Pont de Tancarville – More information
Viaduc de Millau – More information

Grenoble – More information
Lille – More information
Lyon – More information
Marseille – More information
Montpellier – More information
Nantes – More information
Nizza – More information
Paris – More information
Reims – More information
Rennes – More information
Rouen – More information
Strasbourg – More information
Toulouse - More information

Fréjus Street Tunnel (France-Italy) – More information
Mont Blanc Road Tunnel (France Italy) – More information
Maurice Lemaire tunnel – More information
Tunnel de Puymorens – More information
Tunnel Prado Carénage Marseille – More information
Tunnel Prado Sud Marseille – More information
Tunnel Duplex A86 – More information
Tunnel de Caluire – More information

In France, depending on the vehicle type, the toll is paid via different systems that enable simple and transparent processing.

For vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes

For cars, motorbikes and campervans up to 3.5 tonnes, tolls apply on most motorways.
Payment can be made in several ways: At toll booths cash or by credit card via operating company toll cards or electronically via Télépéage systems or free-flow payment, in which the toll is automatically recorded and settled online within 72 hours.
On some special routes, such as tunnels or bridges (e.g., Mont-Blanc Tunnel, Fréjus Tunnel), light vehicles must pay additional fees.

For vehicles over 3.5 tonnes

For trucks over 3.5 tonnes, there is a mandatory toll on motorways. The calculation is carried out to the exact kilometre and depends on vehicle class, number of axles, weight and emissions class.
Payment takes place via electronic toll boxes/on-board units (OBU) or digital toll tickets.
Companies can pay fees via online portals, apps or authorised service providers, facilitating cost control and transparency.