Automatic log-on

The on-board unit (OBU) switches on automatically when the ignition is started. The driver is legally required to check that the gross vehicle weight and – for vehicles over 18 t – number of axles are set correctly before starting each journey. If these settings are incorrect, they must be adjusted accordingly. The OBU detects the location of the vehicle with the aid of the GPS signals, and sends this journey data to the computing centre together with the vehicle-specific characteristics, on a time delay and under encryption. The data is allocated to the toll route network when it arrives at the Toll Collect computing centre. Once this is done, the toll for the roads subject to toll is calculated in the computing centre based on the vehicle-specific tariff characteristics (axle, weight and emission classes).

You can find the names and addresses of our service partners here .

The OBU can be fitted in what is known as a installation frame. Your service partner can advise you and then order an installation frame before proceeding with fitting the OBU. Another option is to remove a device which you do not need as much from the vehicle and use the free DIN slot to fit the OBU.

The on-board unit is available free of charge from Toll Collect and remains the property of Toll Collect GmbH.

The customer bears the costs for

• the installation of the on-board unit,
• the deinstallation in case of termination of the contractual relationship,
• a change of licence plate number (if required) and change of the toll-relevant vehicle data,
• travel to and from the destination, as well as idle times within the scope of the above-mentioned work and also in the case of technically related, written inspection requests by Toll Collect or by the Federal Logistics and Mobility Office (BALM).

With a nationwide network of service partners and an OBU installation time of no more than four hours, all the conditions are in place to keep the installation costs as low as possible.

If the vehicles are already prepared, which applies to a good half of heavy trucks, then the fitting process takes an average of under an hour. If it is not prepared, then it can take up to four hours.

In addition to the on-board unit (OBU) from Toll Collect, on-board units from other systems can also be fitted in parallel. Tests with the OBUs from the Swiss and Austrian systems have shown that there is no mutual functional interference between the different devices. The prerequisite for this is that the approval regulations and installation guidelines for the location and orientation of the devices are taken into account. For more information, please contact your Toll Collect service partner.

If your On-Board Unit malfunctions during a journey, you are obliged to log on manually at the next available opportunity. This is possible via smartphone with the app or through your forwarding agent via online log-on. In your own interest, contact a Toll Collect service partner as soon as possible to arrange the repair of the On-Board Unit.

It is highly unlikely that GPS will be completely switched off, because GPS is used worldwide for commercial purposes with an annual turnover of several billion US dollars and is indispensable in areas such as civil aviation and shipping. However, should the GPS system fail, all truck traffic can use the manual log-on methods via the app or online log-on.

If the country code or licence plate number changes on one of your trucks equipped with an On-Board Unit, you can perform a change of licence plate number in the customer portal. You require a copy of the vehicle registration certificate part 1 for this.

Once the data has been changed, you will receive written confirmation.

If you want to change the vehicle data on one of your trucks equipped with an On-Board Unit, you can perform a change of vehicle data in the customer portal.

Once the data has been changed, you will receive written confirmation.

This error message can have different causes. For explanations of the messages on the OBU display, see the user manual (PDF, 336 KB) for the on-board unit.

We have detected a technical irregularity in your on-board unit that could affect the recording in the automatic toll collection system. The purpose of the inspection is to prevent you from being unnecessarily inspected by the BALM or your toll not being recorded properly. Toll Collect will bear the service partner's costs for checking or replacing the device. However, if the on-board unit is damaged, Toll Collect reserves the right to charge the customer for the cost of the on-board unit or on-board unit parts.

The on-board unit is not ready for operation. There are various causes for this error message. For explanations of the messages on the OBU display, see the User manual (PDF, 336 KB) for the on-board unit.

Before selling or changing the vehicle, you must have the on-board unit removed by a service partner. After its deinstallation, please request vehicle deregistration from us.

Please notify us of the loss immediately by fax or letter. In the event of theft, you should have the on-board unit locked. To do so, please call our Service Hotline and have your user ID and master PIN ready. Please note that the on-board unit is the property of Toll Collect and we will claim compensation if it is lost or damaged.

To support the GPS position determination in the on-board unit, additional positioning sensors are used (dual positioning with gyroscope and speedometer signal). This is independent of the GPS positioning method. The results of both methods are constantly compared with each other. This further improves detection of the toll section. It is even possible for the system to operate without GPS for short periods of time.