Vignette (road tax)

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Vignettes are small, colored stickers affixed to motor vehicles passing through highways and two-lane freeways in some states of the European Union. The affixing of a vignette on a motor vehicle indicates that the respective road toll has been paid. Vignettes are often valid for a year, they may also be a form of tax on the vehicles even if the driver doesn't drive on highways or freeways, and they are usually constructed in such a way that detaching and reattaching is impossible without destruction, ensuring that people can't use the same vignette on more than one car.

Eurovignette is a road toll for trucks used in the following European countries: Belgium, Denmark (starting on February 9, 1994), Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Sweden (starting in 1997).

1 Vignettes by country
2 Images of vignettes
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Vignettes by country

[edit] Austria

An Austrian vignette from 2001, valid for 2 months.

Vignettes are required for all motorways and expressways under federal administration which can be recognized by the prefixes A and S in front of the number. The prices for cars (weighing less than 3.5 tons) are €7.70 for 10 days, €22.20 for 2 months, and €73.80 for one year. Motorcyclists have to pay €4.30, €10.90, and €29.00 respectively.

On motorways and roads, the vignettes are controlled by the police and Mautsheriff employees of the federal motorway administration ASFINAG, which acts as a corporation due to economic aspects. As a fine, a substitute toll of €110.00 must be paid by travelers without a vignette, and €220.00 fine if the vignette has been altered (e.g., foil in between the windscreen and the vignette). This substitute toll allows the use of A and S networks on the day of payment and on the following day. If substitute toll is not paid, the traveler is subject to a complaint at the administration authority of the county, which may lead to a penalty fee between €400.00 and €4,000.00. Furthermore, personal valuables (including the car) can be confiscated from foreigners to guarantee the payment of the penalty.

In addition to the compulsory Vignette for general motor- and expressway use in Austria, further tolls (per each single usage) must be paid on certain motor- and expressways (e.g. cost-intensive sections in the Alps. Additional Tollgates are installed on these roads.

Heavy vehicles are subject to a separate, mileage-dependent motorway tolls schedule via technology involving onboard and external monitors.

[edit] Bulgaria

Vignettes are required for all types of roads, except for the streets inside cities, towns, and villages, as well as city ring roads. Three types of vignettes are available:

K1 - Road vehicle 1st category: all freight vehicles with more than two axles, road trains, special construction equipment, auto cranes, special trailers for transport of heavy or oversized cargo, and other special motor vehicles.
K2 - Road vehicle 2nd category: all passenger transport vehicles with more than 8 seats excluding the driver's seat and all freight vehicles with two axles, as well as construction equipment, auto cranes, special trailers for transport of heavy or oversized cargo, and other special motor vehicles, all of them with two axles.
K3 - Road vehicle 3rd category: all passenger transport vehicles with no more than 8 seats.

Weekly, monthly, and yearly vignettes are sold. Starting 2007, daily K1 and K2 vignettes were introduced. Monthly and weekly vignettes are valid for a given period of time, which need not coincide with calendar weeks and months. A yearly vignette is valid from January 1 until January 31 next year (13 months).

Prices change every year. In 2007, a yearly K3 vignette cost €67, a monthly vignette cost €13, and a weekly vignette cost €5.

[edit] Czech Republic

For privately owned vehicles, a vignette is required for use of motorways. They are available in 10-day, one month, and one year increments. For commercial vehicles, the vignette method was disposed of in 2007.

[edit] France

The French vignette system was originally created in the 1950s to fund an elderly people trust. All car owners were required to buy one at the end of each year. They were available in tobacco shops. The price depended on the engine's horsepower, and in which "département" the car was registered. Vignettes were abolished for private individuals in 2001, while companies are still required to pay.

[edit] Germany

The vignette system was abolished on August 2003, after which a milage-based payment system for heavy trucks (exceeding 12 tons) called Toll Collect was established on January 1, 2005. The Autobahn is a toll-free road system.

[edit] Romania

For cars weighing less than 3.5 tons, the vignette prices are €3 for one week, €7 for one month, and €28 for one year.

[edit] Slovakia

Vignettes are available in several categories depending on the vehicle's weight. It can be purchased for one year, one week, and one month.

[edit] Switzerland

All cars driving on autobahns of Switzerland are required to have an annual vignette. It costs CHF 40 for all cars with maximum admissible weight of 3.5 tons or less. A separate vignette must be purchased for a trailer or a caravan. The vignette is valid for 14 months, from December 1 to January 31 next year.

For heavy vehicles, a mileage-based tax has to be paid for all types of roads. The rate is calculated between departure and arrival point using the most convenient route.