Vignette is a form of road pricing imposed on vehicles, usually in addition
to the compulsory road tax, based on a period of time instead of road tolls
based on distance traveled. Vignettes are currently used in several European
countries. The term is of French origin, and is now used throughout Central
Europe, as well as in Italy. Vignettes are used in Austria, Bulgaria,
Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and
Switzerland. In most of these countries the small, colored toll-sticker is
affixed to a vehicle windscreen, but in Hungary and Romania vignettes are
electronic and physical vignettes are no longer used. In Moldova and Romania
vignettes are required for the use of any road, and in Bulgaria are required
for the use of any road outside built-up areas. In the other countries vignettes
are required only for the use of motorways and expressways.
Prices for an annual vignette for passenger cars range from €30 to €150,
depending on country. In all countries except Switzerland short period
vignettes are sold for visiting or transiting vehicles, but in Switzerland
visiting foreign motorists using motorways must buy an annual vignette.
Vignettes can usually be obtained at border crossings, gas stations and other
outlets. Improperly used or lost vignettes are usually not refunded.
Vignettes are usually constructed in such a way that detaching and
reattaching them is impossible without destruction, ensuring that they cannot
be used on more than one vehicle. Road traffic is often monitored by roadside
cameras, and vignettes are verified by state officials, such as border guard
and national police. Hefty cash fines are often charged to travelers using
public roads without a valid and properly affixed vignette. Additional
tolls are usually levied for passing through certain motorway tunnels and
bridges. Eurovignette is a road toll for trucks
of minimum 12 metric tons. The system was adopted in 1999, and is currently
being used in Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Sweden.
Vignette obligation by country = Austria =
As of 1997, vignettes are required for all vehicles of up to 3.5 tons, driving
on motorways and expressways under federal administration. Vignettes are
overseen by the police and toll-sheriff employees of the federal motorway
administration. A €240 fine with an additional obligatory payment of a
substitute toll are charged to travelers without a valid vignette, and unpaid
fines lead to penalties between €300 and €3,000. Furthermore, the vehicle may be
confiscated from foreigners to guarantee payment of the penalty.
Additional tolls are charged for certain motorway sections where tollgates and
video tolling systems are installed. Several sections require drivers to buy
electronic toll cards, while the A-14 section allows travelers to buy a
substitute one-day Corridor-Vignette. Vignettes for vehicles of over 3.5 tons
were replaced with electronic distance-based highway-toll GO-Boxes on
January 1, 2004. = Bulgaria =
Vignettes are required for all vehicles driving on all public roads, with the
exception of streets in cities, towns and villages. Vignettes are usually
valid from the time they are purchased, while some types can be marked to start
from a future date. They can be obtained in Bulgaria at most gas stations, at
border crossings, or online using a credit card. Cash fines from €150 to
1500€ are charged to drivers without a valid vignette.
= Czech Republic = Vignettes are required for the use of
motorways and expressways by all vehicles of up to 3.5 tons. Cash fines
for not displaying a valid vignette affixed on a car's windshield range from
€80 to €200. Vignettes for heavier vehicles were replaced with electronic
toll collection in 2007. = France =
The French vignette-based vehicle tax was introduced in 1956 to fund a minimum
income scheme for citizens of age 65 and above. They were available in tabacs,
and all vehicle owners were required to buy one at the end of each year. The
price depended on the engine's horsepower, and in which department the
car was registered. The vignette system soon led to controversy, leading to the
tax not being ring-fenced for the elderly any longer.
Vignettes were abolished for motorcycles in June 1981, and for other vehicles in
2001. A toll is currently charged for all travelers using motorways and
expressways, while additional charges have to be paid for passing through
certain tunnels and bridges. = Germany =
Motorways and expressways are a toll-free road network for all lighter
vehicles. The Eurovignette system for trucks was abolished in August 2003,
after which a distance-based toll charge for vehicles of over 12 tons was
established by the Toll Collect company on January 1, 2005.
As of March 1, 2007, all drivers are required to purchase an emission sticker
when passing through the "environment zones" in several cities and
municipalities. Certain "green zones" have completely disallowed entrance to
vehicles with higher particle emissions. Travelers passing through these areas
without the sticker are charged with a €40 fine and one point in the Traffic
Offences Register. = Hungary =
Vignettes are required for all travelers using motorways and expressways.
Physical toll stickers were replaced with electronic vignettes and video
tolling on January 1, 2008, the only physical item the purchaser receives is
a control coupon. Motorway usage entitlement is verified by roadside
cameras based on license plate numbers, and drivers of vehicles up to 3.5 tons
without a valid vignette are charged with cash fines between €50 and €200.
= Moldova = Vignettes are obligatory for personal
motor vehicles registered abroad, driving on public roads, and are
available for purchase at border customs posts and offices. Foreign drivers
without a valid vignette are charged with cash fines between €125 and €375.
Heavier vehicles use existing tax rates, with commercial vehicle drivers paying a
single-entry tax and a distance-based charge.
= Montenegro = Ecological-tax vignettes were abolished
on December 31, 2011. Driving on public roads is generally toll-free, with the
exception of passing through certain tunnels and bridges.
= Romania = With the exception of motorcycles,
vignettes are required for all vehicles driving on all national roads and
motorways. Physical vignettes have been replaced with electronic ones since 1
October 2010. They can be obtained at most gas stations, border crossings, or
online using a credit card. Drivers without a valid vignette are fined with
€100 or more. The fines are dispensed by automatic systems that scan the
numberplate of the car when it exits a city.
= Slovakia = Vignettes are obligatory for all
vehicles of up to 3.5 tons, driving on Slovak motorways. Drivers without a
valid vignette are charged with cash fines between €100 and €500. Vignettes
for heavier vehicles were replaced with distance-based electronic toll
collection in 2010. From 01 January 2016 Slovak vignettes
will be purchase and controlled electronically via www.eznamka.sk and no
sticker will be issued. = Slovenia =
Vignettes are required for all vehicles of up to 3.5 tons, driving on Slovenian
motorways as of July 1, 2008. Drivers without a valid vignette are charged
with cash fines between €300 and €800. Heavier vehicles use existing tollgates.
= Switzerland = All travelers using motorways and
expressways are required to purchase an annual vignette. Vignettes can be
obtained in and outside of Switzerland in bordering countries at gas stations
and labeled points. Use of motorway networks without a valid vignette is an
offense against the Public Highways Act, and is punishable with cash fines of
€165 or more, in addition to the obligatory purchase of an annual
vignette. Heavier vehicles use a distance-based tax rate on all types of
roads. See also
References