Vehicles subject to toll


Two trucks subject to toll driving behind one another on a motorway

Toll requirement regulations

As per Section 1 German Federal Trunk Road Toll Act (BFStrMG), vehicles subject to toll are defined as all domestic and foreign motor vehicles or vehicle combinations with a Technically Permissible Maximum Laden Mass of 7.5 tonnes or above, which

  • are intended for transportation of goods (1st alternative), or
  • are being used for this purpose (2nd alternative).

There is a toll requirement when either of the two alternatives is fulfilled.

Toll requirement in accordance with the 1st alternative

In this case toll requirement results from the general purpose of the vehicle for the transportation of goods on the basis of typical vehicle and assembly types, such as for articulated trucks or trucks. These vehicles are subject to toll regardless of whether

  • a journey is for private purposes,
  • goods are actually being transported,
  • transport of goods is commercial or for own purposes (transport for one's own account) or
  • the vehicle in question is exempt from motor vehicle tax.

Toll requirement in accordance with the 2nd alternative

There is also a toll requirement for vehicles that are not actually intended for transportation of goods (e.g. self-driving working machines) that nonetheless carry out the transportation of good in accordance with the German Road Haulage Act (GüKG). What is relevant is whether the goods on each journey are being transported in return for payment or for commercial purposes in accordance with Section 1 GüKG (goods transportation or intercompany traffic).


A sign on a street refers to the truck toll requirement in Germany

Total weight of vehicle combinations

The Technically Permissible Maximum Laden Mass for vehicle combinations is calculated from the sum of the Technically Permissible Maximum Laden Masses for the individual vehicles Vehicle combinations are only subject to toll if the Technically Permissible Maximum Laden Mass of the motorised vehicle is over 3.5 tonnes.

Toll exemption

According to the German Federal Trunk Road Toll Act (BFStrMG), certain vehicles are exempt from the toll

Information on toll exemption