3.5 t toll in Germany: What you need to know about the new toll

From July 1, 2024, a new toll regulation will apply in Germany: commercial vehicles over 3.5 tons gross weight will be subject to tolls. It does not matter whether the vehicle is registered in Germany or abroad. All federal roads, federal freeways and the associated slip roads, service stations and rest areas will be subject to tolls.

What charges apply?

The amount of the toll depends on various factors, such as the weight, the number of axles, the emission class and the distance driven. The toll for vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tons will be around 15 cents (CO2 class 1, Euro 6) per kilometer. For heavier vehicles, the toll can be up to approx. 35 cents (CO2 class 1, Euro 6) or more per kilometer. The DKV CargoApps toll calculator can help you calculate the toll costs.

Exemption from the toll and other exemptions

Buses, emergency service vehicles and agricultural and forestry vehicles are exempt from the toll. Vehicles that run exclusively on electricity, hydrogen or gas are also exempt.

The new law also provides for exemptions for craft businesses. The craftsmen's exemption is a trip-related toll exemption from the German 3.5-ton toll. This means that journeys made by craftsmen's vehicles can be exempted from the toll obligation under certain conditions. This includes the transportation of materials, equipment or machines that are necessary for the services and work of the craft business. You can find a detailed overview of all relevant FAQs for craft businesses here.

If you are not sure whether your vehicle is exempt from the toll, you can use the DKV Mobility toll obligation check or visit the Toll Collect website for more information. There you can also apply for an exemption from the toll and register artisan vehicles if they meet the relevant requirements.

How to pay the toll

There are various ways to pay the toll. The simplest is to use a toll box (on-board unit, OBU), which can be attached to the windshield of the vehicle and automatically calculates the toll based on GPS data. An overview of payment options for the German toll can be found here.

DKV Mobility - your strong partner

The extension of the toll obligation to commercial vehicles weighing 3.5 tons or more is an important change that entrepreneurs or fleet managers need to be aware of. To prepare for this, it is important to find out about the new regulations, toll charges and payment options in good time.

The new toll not only entails new costs, but also an increased administrative burden. The new toll not only entails new costs, but also an increased administrative burden. Mobility service providers such as DKV Mobility not only offer their customers tailor-made solutions for toll billing for their fleets, but also support them in all steps of the process. This includes administrative tasks, vehicle registration and checking vehicle documents.

Further information on the 3.5T toll can be found on our page.