Free-flow tolls… don’t get stung!
We’ve all seen (and been stuck in!) the big tail backs at the péage barriers, waiting for the driver who’s lost their ticket or the one who’s scrabbling around for loose change, or even the solo Brits who have to jump out and run around to the other side to access the payment station!
Well, in a bid to reduce traffic jams, save fuel and emit less carbon dioxide, the Ministère de la Transition écologique has announced that free-flow tolls will slowly become the norm on France’s autoroute system.
Some of you may already have the electronic badge that allows you to sail through the barriers without stopping (when it works!) and this will soon be possible for all vehicles, even without the badge.
The physical barriers will be replaced by highly sensitive cameras that will record car number plates or read electronic toll badges as they pass.
Payment
If you have a badge, you don’t need to do anything, the payment process remains the same. If you don’t, you need to be aware of the rules… or risk getting stung!
The amount you owe will be calculated automatically based on the vehicle information registered to the number plate and you must pay within 3 days of passing the toll.
You can pay at any newsagents or tobaconist equipped with the Nirio payment system or pay online via whichever society is responsible for the section of the autoroute you are driving on.
For the moment, the free-flow tolls are only in place in the north of France, but if you are heading up that way, you can find your nearest Nirio payment point via this website, or pay online here (A79 / A13-A14).
Don’t get stung
If you do not pay within the allocated 3 days, a penalty of €10 is added to you bill, which must be paid within 15 days. If you miss this second deadline, the amount goes up to 90€ and 375€ after 2 months!
Because this is a new system, the French government are “kindly” waiving the surcharge on any first passages without payment, but rest assured, after that, you can expect a letter through your door!
What’s more, the cameras are said to be particulalry reliable, with 98% successful number plate recognition!
It would appear that the British licensing authority does not declare an owners details to a foreign nation. There are a few exceptions such as in a criminal case. I believe since BREXIT this rule has applied and includes speeding offences. However, in my case I endeavour to comply with the law of the country but it does make it look as though this new toll system could make it free for Brits as the vehicle details will not be available even if one wants to pay !!!
That will be interesting! How will they work that with foreign registered vehicles? And if you are on your way to your holidays and they send the bill to your home address it will automatically be more than 3 days until you have paid! Une belle Arnaque – and another easy way to fill the State’s pockets