The toll from 3.5 tons

In addition to the current toll regulations in Germany(7.5t truck toll; CO2 toll), there is also a toll for vehicles with a technically permissible total mass (tzGm) of more than 3.5 tons and up to 7.5 tons.

The toll applies to commercial vehicles over 3.5 tons and up to 7.5 tons that are used or intended for freight transport.

Vehicle combinations are subject to tolls if the towing vehicle has a technically permissible total mass (tzGm) of more than 3.5 tons.

Both domestic and foreign vehicles are affected.

The toll applies to all journeys on federal highways and freeways. The toll is payable as soon as you enter such a road, as well as at the associated service stations.

However, there are exceptions, for example for tradespeople and zero-emission vehicles. You can find out more in the section "Exceptions to the 3.5-tonne toll" .

The toll over 3.5 tons will come into force in Germany from 1 July 2024

Tolls are collected electronically, so the installation of a toll box - also known as an OBU (on-board unit) - is recommended.

The OBU sends the toll data to the central toll collection point, which calculates the amount and prepares the invoice. You can find more information below in the section "How does payment of the new tolls in Germany work? ".

The new regulation of toll charges serves to finance the transport infrastructure. The background to the new adjustment to the calculation of toll rates are both EU requirements and the so-called infrastructure cost report of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs.

According to the so-called Eurovignette Directive, the truck toll must be based on the costs for the construction, operation, maintenance and expansion of traffic routes.

Emission-free vehicles such as electric vehicles and hydrogen-powered vehicles as well as vehicles with a hydrogen fuel cell will remain exempt from tolls until December 31, 2025.

From January 1, 2026, 25 percent of the partial toll rate for infrastructure costs plus the partial toll rates for noise and air pollution will be payable for zero-emission vehicles.

Emission-free vehicles up to 4.25 tons tzGm (technically permissible total mass) are permanently exempt from the toll.

Electrically powered vehicles are exempt from the toll until the end of 2025 and will then pay 25 percent of the toll rate for infrastructure plus the toll rates for noise and air pollution.

The current toll law stipulates that zero-emission vehicles are exempt from paying tolls until December 31, 2025. After that, only a 75 percent reduced toll rate for infrastructure costs and partial rates for air and noise pollution are to be paid.

• Buses, as well as vehicles of the armed forces, police, civil defense and disaster control, fire department and other emergency services and the federal government are exempt from the toll.
• Caravans and motorhomes are also not subject to tolls as long as they are not used for the commercial transportation of goods
• Vehicles used exclusively for road maintenance and operation services (including road cleaning and winter road maintenance) do not have to pay tolls.
• Vehicles used by showmen and circuses are not subject to tolls
• Vehicles used by non-profit or charitable organizations for the transport of humanitarian aid (to alleviate an emergency) are exempt from the toll.
• Agricultural and forestry vehicles pursuant to Section 2 (1) No. 7 of the Road Haulage Act and the associated empty runs are exempt from tolls.

Companies and owners of vehicles not subject to tolls can voluntarily have them entered in a Toll Collect list. Registration prevents unnecessary checks and saves time and effort.

Registration is valid for a maximum of two years and cannot be extended.