by Florian König, maut1.de - June 27th, 2023
France plans to digitalise the toll system
Those who regularly travel by car in France during the holiday season will certainly be familiar with the often long queues in front of the toll booths, but this will soon be a thing of the past. But this will soon be a thing of the past...
The traditional "péages" are to be gradually replaced by a digital toll collection system, the new system is called "Péage Nouvelle Génération" (PNG). The PNG system uses state-of-the-art technology to automatically collect tolls by recognising vehicles via cameras and electronic devices.
Instead of stopping at toll booths and paying in cash or by credit card, travellers will be able to simply drive through the toll booths while the vehicle's licence plate number is digitally recorded and the corresponding charges are settled electronically.
Soon there will be e-tolls on French motorways
In some locations, these PNG terminals are already in place: impressive metal arches that span the motorway and automatically capture vehicle number plates via surveillance cameras for billing.
Drivers have 72 hours after driving on a toll route to pay the toll online or at a dedicated terminal, which are available at many rest stops.
Convenient alternative: use of a toll box
As an alternative to registering and using country-specific solutions, it is possible to settle the bill with the help of so-called toll boxes. A small toll box is installed in the windscreen of the vehicle and the distances driven are invoiced monthly.
The advantage of the maut1.de toll box is that it can be used not only in France but also in Italy, Spain and Portugal, and the next popular destination, Croatia, is already in the pipeline.
E-tolls already activated in some places in France
In France, all e-toll routes are marked with the additional sign "Péage Flux Libre" (PNG). In the Grand Est region, including Metz, Mulhouse, Nancy, Reims and Strasbourg, the first conventional toll barriers have already been replaced by the new digital PNG system.
A pilot project is already underway: the French motorway operator Sanef has announced that a system will be installed on the A13 by 2024 that will make the toll booths on the stretch between Paris and Caen superfluous. A first test will also be carried out on the A4 between Saarbrücken and Metz.
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