About truck toll in the Czech Republic
The toll system is an important part of the transportation infrastructure in the Czech Republic. It requires drivers, primarily on heavy goods vehicles, to pay fees for using certain roads.
This funds road maintenance, improves infrastructure, and reduces congestion on key routes.
CzechToll manages the country’s toll system, which applies to most vehicles over 3.5 t; there is even a toll for motorhomes over 3.5 t in the Czech Republic.
The toll rates vary depending on factors like vehicle weight, emission class, and the type of road used.
The truck toll system uses an on-board unit (OBU) installed in vehicles to automatically calculate and deduct toll fees as they move.
It’s part of the broader European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) network, providing seamless travel across participating countries.
Truck toll and its purpose
A truck toll was introduced by the Czech government to gain financing for upgrading the country’s road networks. Trucks are heavy vehicles, so they use roads more intensively and have a heavier impact on road wear and congestion.
The toll requirement for trucks ensures that the costs of maintaining and expanding the roads are borne by those who affect them the most.
Unlike general road taxes or fuel taxes, truck tolls in the Czech Republic are directly linked to the distance driven by vehicles on designated roads.
By charging them on the basis of their actual road network usage, the toll system provides fairer and more sustainable funding for infrastructure projects.
Truck toll collection methods
The toll collection method for trucks depends on their weight. Light and very light trucks with a maximum permissible weight of up to 3.5 t are subject to the vignette requirement.
Drivers must obtain a digital vignette for the Czech Republic at one of the physical sale points (for example, at the gas station) or in a more facilitated way – online. To get a vignette via the website, follow these steps:
- Provide the required information regarding your vehicle
- Enter your contact details
- Choose the vignette start date
- Select the validity period (for 10 days, 30 days, or one year)
- Pay the fees (the amount depends on the validity period)
- Download the vignette confirmation onto your mobile device
Trucks weighing over 3.5 t are included in the distance-based toll system. Charges are electronically collected via the On-Board-Unit/OBU installed in the vehicle.
The fee is based on the weight class, the number of axles, the distance driven, the emission class, and the time of day.
Drivers must register their trucks in the MYTO CZ electronic toll system and get an on-board unit.
Then, they can choose between pre-pay (you get pre-loaded with credit at one of the distribution points) or post-pay procedures (charges are settled afterward). The fee is calculated automatically.
Compliance and enforcement of truck toll
The toll payment enforcement is conducted by the Customs Administration of the Czech Republic.
The driver of the truck must meet the stipulated requirements and cover a proper toll – get a vignette for vehicles under 3.5 t or pay an electronic toll via an on-board unit for vehicles over 3.5 t.
Compliance with truck toll regulations provides for better safety on roads.
Those who violate the rules will face legal consequences and be obliged to pay fines. To ensure that you comply with the regulations, do as follows:
- Learn the information about the toll system in the Czech Republic
- Get a vignette/pay tolls via OBU
- Save the proof of covering the fee
- Be ready to show the payment confirmation in case of random checks
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How is the truck toll calculated in the Czech Republic?
Trucks under 3.5 t must have a valid vignette, the price of which depends on its validity period. Tolls for trucks over 3.5 t in the Czech Republic are calculated according to such factors as distance traveled, vehicle category, emissions class, and the specific toll rates on different road sections.
Do all trucks need to pay tolls on Czech roads?
Drivers of most trucks in the Czech Republic need to pay tolls when using motorways and expressways. Only several categories of vehicles, for example, emergency and agricultural vehicles, are exempt.
Are there any exemptions or discounts available for truck tolls?
There are exemptions for certain categories of trucks. However, they are limited and subject to specific criteria and conditions. The system of toll discounts is still working, and the grounds for their provision are established in Government Regulation No. 240/2014 Coll.
What happens if a truck driver forgets to pay tolls on Czech roads?
Not paying the appropriate tolls on Czech roads will result in fines and penalties. To avoid legal consequences, it is essential to buy a vignette or install a special electronic device, whatever is required for a particular truck.
Is there a difference in toll rates for different types of trucks?
Yes. Toll rates for trucks differ based on their weight and axle number. Also, on March 1, 2024, the Czech Republic introduced a new toll fee component that takes into account the production of CO2 emissions.
Can foreign trucks also use the electronic toll system in the Czech Republic?
Yes, both local and foreign trucks can use the electronic toll system in the Czech Republic. To do that, they need to be registered with the relevant toll operator, and their users must install the necessary OBUs.