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The heavy-goods vehicle (HGV) or tolls for trucks and buses in Bulgaria is an important topic for any business involved in heavy goods transport and fleet management. Proper understanding and timely payment of tolls is essential for avoiding fines, optimizing costs and ensuring trouble-free movement on the national road network.

In this article, we will examine the main points related to the HGV tolls in Bulgaria.

1. Which vehicles are subject to tolls?

The toll in Bulgaria is a toll for the distance traveled and is paid for the use of certain sections of the national road network. It applies to:

• Heavy-duty vehicles with a total technically permissible maximum mass (GMP) of over 3.5 tons.
• Buses (vehicles intended for the transport of passengers with more than 8 seats excluding the driver’s seat) with a GMP of over 3.5 tons.
• Passenger cars and those with a GMP of up to 3.5 tons inclusive continue to use an electronic vignette (e-vignette).

2. How is the toll fee determined?

The amount of the toll fee payable is not fixed and depends on several main criteria:

• Road category: The fee is different for motorways (AM), first-class and second-class roads. No toll fee is due for third-class roads.
• Distance travelled: The fee is charged per kilometer.
• Vehicle category: Determined based on:

1. Tolled gross vehicle weight (GVW): The categories are (over 3.5 t to 12 t) and (over 12 t).
2. Number of axles: Particularly important for vehicles over 12 tons (2-3 axles or 4 and more axles).
3. Emission class (Euro category): Vehicles with a higher environmental standard (e.g. Euro VI, EEV) pay a lower fee.

Therefore, well-maintained and environmentally friendly vehicles have a direct impact on operating costs.

3. Ways to pay toll fees

The Bulgarian toll system offers several ways to pay the fees due, with automated payment recommended for the efficient management of a large fleet:

Vemtechnology.eu as a partner of Digitoll Smart Infrastructure AD offers intelligent solutions for automated toll payment through compatible GPS devices integrated with our GPS system for fleet tracking and control.

4. Control and sanctions

Toll payment control is carried out through stationary and mobile cameras, as well as through road inspectors who read the vehicle registration number and check in the system.

If the due toll is not paid, a compensatory fee (also called a “penalty fee”) is imposed, the amount of which is significantly higher than the standard toll fee. Its payment entitles the vehicle to continue its journey on the paid section. If the compensatory fee is refused, the driver is issued an act of establishing an administrative violation (AUAN), which leads to serious fines.

Important: Even if you have purchased a route card, you must strictly adhere to its route. Deviation from the planned route can be reported as a violation.

5. How can Vemtechnology.eu help you?

Toll management is an integral part of optimizing transportation costs. Our GPS systems and toll devices help you to:

• Automate payment: With Vemtechnology.eu GPS devices, toll payment is automatic and correct, minimizing the risk of human error and fines.
• Reduce costs: With GPS tracking, you can optimize routes, avoid unnecessary kilometers and plan transportation, taking into account tolls.
• Gain transparency: Integrated reports provide detailed information on the distance traveled and tolls paid, which facilitates accounting and control.

Don’t let tolls become a source of headaches and unexpected costs. Contact us to learn how our TOLL services can make your fleet management more efficient and secure.