Tolls in Germany are due for vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes. Germany’s toll network is the largest in Europe – a total of 51,000 kilometers It includes highways, federal roads, and those in urban areas. The largest part of it is LKW Maut – about 50,000 km. This article refers to a period before July 1st, 2024. If you want to receive the latest information, click here. 

Paid Road Network in Germany

You can view the LKV Maut toll road network in Germany on the official website of the toll collection operator for – Toll Collect. Apart from LKV Maut, tolls in Germany are also paid for Herren Tunnel.

How to determine tolls in Germany

For the LKV Maut network tolls for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are determined by the following criteria:

  • Kilometers traveled.
  • Weight category and number of axles:
    • over 7.5 tons – up to 11.9 tons.
    • from 12 points to 18 tons
    • over 18 tons with up to 3 axles.
    • over 18 tons with 4 or more axles.

It’s important to know that tandem axles are counted as two axes, tridem axles are counted as three axes. Raised axles are always considered, regardless of whether an axle is loaded or raised, i.e. no contact with the roadway.

  • Emission Class: 
    • Category A – Euro 6.
    • Category B – EEV 1 and Euro 5.
    • Category C – Euro 4 and  Euro 3 + particulate reduction class 2.
    • Category D – Euro 3 and Euro 2 + particulate reduction class 1.
    • Category E – Euro 2.
    • Category F – Euro 1 and Euro 0. 

For Herren Tunnel tollsare determined depending on the height of the vehicle and the number of axles.

What are the Prices for Tolls in Germany

The price per kilometer for the LKV Maut network is from 7.9 to 26 cents, depending on the vehicle.

The tariffs for LKV Maut is on the website of the operator responsible for collecting tolls in Germany – Toll Collect. 

You can check the prices for the Herren Tunnel on the Herrentun operator’s website.

VAT on Tolls in Germany

Like in Bulgaria, VAT is not charged on tolls in Germany, as this is a state tax.

Exceptions to Tolls in Germany

CNG (compressed natural gas), LNG (liquefied natural gas) vehicles, or factory liquefied natural gas diesel engines can run in Germany without tolls. The full list of types of vehicles that can be exempted from tolls on the German toll network can be found here.

To be exempt from tolls on the German road network, these vehicles must be in the Euro 6 category and have a factory engine running on natural gas.

To take advantage of this opportunity, vehicles that meet the above criteria must be registered in the Toll Collect system as free of toll vehicles. The registration is valid for 2 years. It can then be extended. Entries that have not been renewed before the expiry date automatically become invalid.

How to Control the Payment of Toll Fees in Germany

The control of tolls is automated through portal road frames and mobile teams.

Ways to Pay Tolls in Germany

Tolls in Germany can be paid in several ways.

Payment for registered users:

  • Advance, with pre-loading of money in your account in Toll Collect.
  • Direct debit from your bank account.
  • With credit card.
  • With fuel card.

Payment to unregistered users: 

  • With a fuel card or credit card.
  • Through the terminals on the road network.
  • With a prepaid Paysafe card. 

Automated Payment with On-Board Units OBUs

The on-board unit for automated payment shall be pre-installed in the driver’s cab and set to the vehicle by setting the number of axles and the weight category.

You can take advantage of the B’Moov on-board unit and pay tolls automatically after using the service in Germany and 10 other countries. Learn more about the TOLL Europe service and the B’Moov on-board unit by contacting us on 0700 1 49 49 or filling out the contact form below.