There is no general road toll for cars in Great Britain. However, trucks over 12 tonnes that have not been registered in the UK must pay the HGV Levy to use the road network. Additional rules apply on individual routes, bridges and in city zones.
Tolls in Great Britain
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HGV levy: Mandatory for trucks over 12 tonnes not registered in the UK
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No carbon toll: Invoicing is based on route and vehicle class
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Introduction of a carbon toll is planned
General information
Toll provider: HVG Levy
The toll in Great Britain supports the financing and maintenance of toll roads. It helps to maintain and modernise the road network. HGV Levy is responsible for collecting and managing the truck toll, while the respective route operators are responsible for cars.
The toll is collected depending on the route: Passenger cars and motorcycles pay depending on the route, while trucks over 12 tonnes are tolled according to vehicle class, weight and emissions class. Some bridges or sections of road may incur additional charges.
There is currently no CO₂ toll. The system primarily serves to provide efficient and transparent billing for all vehicle types.
Vehicles subject to tolls
In Great Britain, a route-dependent mandatory toll applies on select routes. Passenger cars and motorcycles pay the toll directly at toll booths or online, while trucks over 12 tonnes are billed by vehicle class and weight via electronic vignette (HGV Levy).
Trucks tolls in Great Britain
The truck toll in Great Britain regulates the use of toll roads for heavy goods vehicles. Unlike in many European countries, there are mainly open toll systems where billing takes place flexibly. An exception is the M6 Toll Road, a closed toll system in which the toll is calculated on the route travelled. No additional CO₂ toll is currently charged.
Vehicles over 12 tonnes subject to tolls
All trucks with a total permissible weight of more than 12 tonnes are subject to tolls on certain roads. Invoicing takes place either electronically or at stationary toll booths. Transport companies should carefully plan their routes, as toll charges may vary by route section.
Toll-exempt vehicles
Certain vehicles are exempt from tolls. These include, for example, vehicles that are used exclusively for agricultural purposes, as well as certain emergency vehicles. Vehicles travelling within the city, which do not use toll roads, are also exempt.
Carbon toll
There is currently no carbon toll for trucks in the UK. The toll costs therefore do not depend on emissions levels. This simplifies cost planning for transport companies and ensures transparent billing without additional environmental levies.
Car tolls in Great Britain
There are tolls on certain roads and bridges in the UK. These should be taken into account when planning a route, as the charges vary depending on the vehicle class and the route used. Most motorways and country roads are freely accessible, with the exception of the M6 Toll Road, which uses a closed toll system, where the fee is calculated according to distance driven.
Vehicles are classified on toll roads according to vehicle class:
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Class 1: Cars up to 3.5 tonnes of permissible total weight, height up to 2 m, also with smaller trailers
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Class 2: Passenger cars up to 3.5 tonnes with a height above 2 m, e.g., camper vans or trailers with towing vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes
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Class 5: Motorcycles (also with sidecars), trikes
The toll can be paid directly at toll booths, via electronic systems or apps. Electronic payment is particularly practical for the M6 Toll Road: Vehicles are automatically recorded and the fees are paid online within a short time.
The car toll in Great Britain thus offers a simple and transparent way to use toll roads and special routes. Electronic payment systems make processing convenient, while travelling on toll routes without payment can lead to fines.
Overview of toll routes
In the UK, all motorways include a mandatory toll for trucks over 12 tonnes if they are not UK-registered. Buses are exempted. On some toll roads, such as the M6, other categories of vehicles, such as cars and motorcycles, are also subject to tolls.
For trucks with a total permissible weight of more than 12 tonnes, there is a mandatory toll on certain routes, while cars usually only have to pay tolls on special routes or in city toll zones (e.g., London). There is currently no carbon toll.
Below is a list of important toll roads and bridges in the UK, separated by truck and car.
Motorways
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M6 north of Birmingham (M6 Toll) – More information
Tunnels & bridges
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Dartford Crossing (M25) – More information
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Dunham Bridge (A57) – More information
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Humber Bridge (A15) – More information
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Mersey Gateway Bridge and Silver Jubilee Bridge (A533) – More information
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Mersey Tunnels (A59/A41) – More information
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Tyne Tunnels (A19) – More information
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Tamar Bridge (A38) – More information
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Tamar Bridge (A38) – More information
Car transport
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From Calais to Folkestone – More information
City toll
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London – More information
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Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) – More information
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Low Emission Zone London (LEZ) – More information
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Durham – More information
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Bath Clean Air Zone (CAZ) – More information
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Birmingham Clean Air Zone (CAZ) – More information
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Bristol Clean Air Zone (CAZ) – More information
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Oxford (ZEZ) – More information
Toll payment
In the UK, there are different billing options depending on vehicle type:
For vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes
Passenger cars, motorcycles and light commercial vehicles only pay on selected toll roads, bridges or in city zones. Invoicing usually occurs at the toll office or electronically via apps and online portals.
This system is simple and flexible and is particularly suitable for occasional drivers who use toll routes sporadically.
For vehicles over 12 tonnes
Trucks over 12 tonnes from abroad are subject to the HGV Levy, which is collected depending on distance and weight. The calculation is carried out according to vehicle class and weight, while a carbon toll does not currently exist.
There are various options available for billing:
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Online portals and apps for digital payment
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Toll stations where the fee can be paid directly
This system is transparent and route-dependent, enabling companies to precisely control transport costs.
