The Bulgarian Toll System was launched, and VEM Technology was chosen as one of the declared data providers for it. In this article, we will try to answer the most frequently asked questions that we have come across on the web.

Who do tolls apply to?

According to the criteria, road vehicles with a total technically permissible maximum mass of more than 3.5 tons must pay a toll fee.

  • Road vehicles for the transport of passengers with a total technically permissible maximum mass of more than 3.5 tons. This category includes buses with more than 2 axles;
  • Road vehicles for transporting goods with 2 or more axles with a total technically permissible maximum mass combined with a trailer over 3.5 tons.
  • Tractor units fall under the category of goods transport vehicles with 2 or more axles.

The amount of the toll fee will be determined according to the following criteria:

  • Road class;
  • Distance traveled;
  • Total weight and emission class of the vehicle;
  • Number of axles.

How will the billing take place?

The toll system in Bulgaria will be charged in three ways:

  • A GPS device, or also called a satellite positioning device, is installed in and associated with the vehicle.
  • An on-board device that is used in the driver’s cabin and is plugged into the cigarette lighter; The same is necessarily associated with a specific car;
  • The route card with which the route is pre-selected and paid for. It will be available for purchase through the website and through the mobile application, as well as all self-service terminals located at gas stations.

How is toll collection controlled?

The control of the toll system in Bulgaria is carried out by the National Toll Administration, by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as by the “Customs” agency. The vehicle registration number is stored in the electronic toll system. In case of verification, it is tracked whether the number is recorded in the database. All inspection bodies are equipped with special control devices, so that the inspection of paid tolls is possible at any time.

The other control option is through the portal frames installed in the country. They will be able to detect not only trucks and buses without paid tolls, but also cars without a purchased vignette.

What are the accepted fees for the Bulgarian toll system?

Information taken from the Road Infrastructure Agency website. 

Road vehicles
Toll Infrastructure
Toll price BGN/km
Highway
1st class
2nd class
A truck with a total technically permissible maximum mass over 3.5 t – up to 12 t
Euro 6, EEV
0,10
0,06
0,04
Euro 5
0,11
0,07
0,05
Euro 3 & 4
0,12
0,07
0,05
Euro 0, 1, 2
0,13
0,09
0,07
Truck with total technically permissible maximum weight over 12 t with 2-3 axles
Euro 6, EEV
0,26
0,22
0,19
Euro 5
0,27
0,24
0,21
Euro 3 & 4
0,28
0,24
0,21
Euro 0, 1, 2
0,30
0,25
0,23
A truck with a total technically permissible maximum mass over 12 t with 4 or more axlesEuro 6, EEV
0,35
0,32
0,29
Euro 5
0,36
0,33
0,30
Euro 3 & 4
0,37
0,35
0,32
Euro 0, 1, 2
0,43
0,39
0,37
Road vehicles intended for the transport of passengers, with a total technically permissible maximum mass over 3.5 t – up to 12 tEuro 6, EEV
0,04
0,03
0,02
Euro 5
0,05
0,04
0,03
Euro 3 & 4
0,06
0,05
0,04
Euro 0, 1, 2
0,08
0,07
0,05
Road vehicles intended for the transport of passengers, with a total technically permissible maximum mass of more than 12 tonsEuro 6, EEV
0,05
0,04
0,03
Euro 5
0,06
0,05
0,04
Euro 3 & 4
0,07
0,06
0,05
Euro 0, 1, 2
0,09
0,08
0,06

*1st class, 2nd class – first-class and second-class roads from the Republican road network.

Can the amount of the toll be calculated in advance?

The BgToll site has a calculator that calculates the desired route and the toll due for all owners of trucks or buses over 3.5 tons.

For an accurate calculation, data must be entered for the vehicle – truck or bus with the relevant technical mass, number of axles and emission class. Then the date and start time of the journey, the start and end point of the route, as well as up to 4 intermediate locations are indicated. The user can request to take the fastest or the shortest route according to the set parameters.

As a result, the owner or user of the road vehicle receives detailed information about the paid sections of the road – highways, first and partly second class roads, as well as about the tolls due.
How to join the TOLL system, learn here!