The toll for trucks over 3.5 tons in Germany is coming
A toll reform will soon come into force in Germany, which will include a toll obligation for vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tons. Tolling for the new weight class will start on July 1, 2024. Read here about the new regulations and fee adjustments that await you.
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The tradespeople exception
In certain cases, tradespeople will be exempt from the toll in Germany for vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes – An overview
The tradespeople exception is a journey-related exemption from liability to pay the 3.5 t toll in Germany. In other words: journeys by vehicles operated by a trade-related business may be exempt from toll under specific circumstances.
The exception affects vehicles with a technically permissible maximum laden mass of more than 3.5 and less than 7.5 t used by trade-related businesses.
- The transport of material, equipment or machines necessary to perform the services and works of trade-related businesses (including tools, work equipment, replacement parts, building materials, cables, machinery and accessories)
- Transport of crafted goods made, further processed or repaired by tradespeople in their own trade-related business
- Return journeys and empty runs are also exempt from toll if they are directly connected to the tradespeople's activities or the delivery of crafted goods
- Delivery of industrially manufactured goods
- Commercial transport journeys for third parties
- Auxiliary work as part of the overall activity of the company
- Garage, transfer or private journeys using trade-related business vehicles continue to be subject to toll
- Journeys made for mixed purposes are assessed on the basis of the main reason for the journey (the trade-related aspect must predominate)
You can find out whether they fall under the terms of the tradespeople exception and further information on the Toll Collect FAQ webpage.
Documentation suitable for the tradespeople exception include e.g.:
- Trade registration card/ trade licence
- Trade registration application (copy)
- Delivery notes
- Customer orders
The new regulation of toll charges serves to finance the transport infrastructure. Thebackground to the new adjustment to the calculation of toll rates are both EU requirements and the so-called infrastructure cost report by 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 transport routes.
The new legislation regarding the German toll will also affect commercial vehicles over 3.5 tons from July 2024. These arevehicles that are either used for freight transport or are intended for this purpose.
Tolls are charged on all federal highways and freeways. Tolls must be paid just to drive onto such a road, as well as at the associated service stations.
From 01.07.2024
The current toll charge includes shares for the infrastructure costs and noise pollution caused (depending on the weight class and, above 18 tons gross vehicle weight, additionally on the number of axles), as well as for the air pollution and CO2 pollution caused. This share depends on the classification of a vehicle in one of the six pollutant categories (A to F).
The exact amount of the truck toll depends on various factors, such as the vehicle class and the respective pollutant emissions of a truck - or the route concerned.
The following tariffs currently apply, which will be extended from July to include tariffs for vehicles with more than 3.5 tons.
Commercial vehicles with a gross weight of more than 3.5 tons will have to pay the new toll in Germany from July 2024. These are vehicles that are either used for freight transport or are intended for this purpose.
Previously, the maximum permissible total weight in the country of registration (registration certificate part 1, F2) was used to determine the toll obligation. The new law, which comes into force on December 1, 2023, changes this parameter. The technically permissible gross vehicle weight (registration certificate part 1, F1) is now decisive in determining whether a vehicle falls into the weight class subject to tolls.
It is important to know that there are conditions and requirements for exemption from the toll.
Exemptions from the truck toll can play a significant role, and not only for transport companies or freight forwarders. Vehicles that run on alternative fuels such as natural gas or electricity are exempt from toll costs. Here you will find an overview of the already known exemptions.
Electrically powered vehicles are exempt from the toll obligation
Electrically powered vehicles are a climate-friendly alternative to combustion engines. Even under the new legislation, they are completely exempt from the toll for an unlimited period. According to §2 No. 1 of the Electric Mobility Act, electrically powered vehicles include pure battery electric vehicles, externally rechargeable hybrid vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. E-trucks that are battery-powered are also not subject to the toll.
Hydrogen-powered (emission-free) vehicles
The German government's current draft bill provides for zero-emission vehicles to be exempt from tolls until December 31, 2025. After this date, only a 75% reduction in the toll rate for infrastructure costs and partial rates for air and noise pollution are to be paid.
Statutory exemptions pursuant to Section 1 (2) of the Federal Trunk Road Toll Act
- Buses, caravans and vehicles belonging to the armed forces, the police, civil defense and disaster control, the fire department and other emergency services and the federal government are exempt from the toll.
- 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 in accordance with §2 Para. 1 No. 7 of the Road Haulage Act and the associated empty runs are exempt from tolls.
Status of the exemption regulation for craftsmen's vehicles
The new toll law in Germany continues to provide for an exemption for craft businesses. Such vehicles remain exempt from the toll.
Here you will find various details from the law on the tradesperson exemption: Among other things, it states that an exemption does not apply if the driver is a professional driver. This means that if it is a delivery journey, the transport itself must not be a commercial transport by a transport company. Nor may the transport be carried out for third parties in return for payment. The driver himself must exercise a skilled trade as defined by the Crafts Code. It also states: "In principle, the driver must be involved in the treatment, processing or use of the transported goods over and above the transportation." For further differentiation, a distinction is also made between craft and industrial production and reference is made to the " Leitfaden Abgrenzung Handwerk, Industrie, Handel, Dienstleistungen " (" Guidelines on the differentiation between craft, industry, trade and services ")of the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) and the Association of German Chambers of Crafts (DHKT). The Association of German Chambers of Crafts also provides the appropriate information with its "Trade from A to Z" demarcation guide - which can be found at the ZDH (German Confederation of Skilled Crafts).
Can I register my vehicle that is exempt from the toll?
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.
Tolls are collected electronically in Germany. A toll box - also known as an OBU (on-board unit) - is therefore required. The toll box is installed in the vehicle and sends the toll data to the central toll collection point, which calculates the amount due and issues the corresponding invoice. With the toll operator Toll Collect, you can pay automatically via the on-board unit as well as via the Internet or app using the DKV Card. DKV offers support with registration and handles the billing for you. DKV's own toll solutions, such as the DKV BOX EUROPE, are also widely used and you can find out more about themhere. find out more about themhere. can
A toll box is an electronic device that is installed in your vehicle to automatically calculate and transmit toll charges. With your own toll box, you can manage your toll charges efficiently and conveniently. It also allows you to keep track of your toll charges at all times. You can see when and how often you have used which roads and how much you have had to pay for them. This makes it easier to track and plan the costs incurred. If used regularly, a toll box is a good way to save time and effort.
Our aim is to offer you the most convenient toll solution for every type of vehicle, for the whole of Europe.
DKV has been offering the reliable billing service for toll collection via the Toll Collect OBU for 18 years. This solution could suit you if your vehicles mainly drive in Germany.
Do your vehicles drive in other European countries at the same time? We have the solution with the DKV Box EUROPE! The toll is recorded electronically with just one device and you can keep track of all transactions in your customer account.
In all cases, you benefit from clear invoices, convenient payment via DKV and a reliable advisor at your side.
The CO2 rates are a decisive component in calculating the toll costs for your vehicle. In future, you will be obliged to state the CO2 class of your vehicle when ordering the toll.
You can find out everything you need to know now about the new CO2 classes and the future registration and invoicing of the CO2 toll on our special page "The new CO2-dependent truck toll in Germany".