Vignette is a form of road pricing imposed on vehicles, usually in addition to the compulsory road tax, based on a period of time instead of road tolls that are based on distance travelled. Vignettes are currently used in several European countries. The term is of French origin, and is now used throughout Central Europe, as well as in Italy (vignetta).
Vignettes are used in Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland. In most of these countries a small, coloured sticker is affixed to a vehicle windscreen, but in Hungary, Romania and Slovakia these have been superseded by electronic vignettes. In Moldova and Romania vignettes are required for the use of any road, and in Bulgaria are required for the use of any road outside built-up areas. In the other countries vignettes are required only for the use of motorways and expressways.
Prices for an annual vignette for passenger cars range from EUR30 to EUR150, depending on country. In all countries except Switzerland short period vignettes are sold for visiting or transiting vehicles. In Switzerland visiting foreign motorists must buy an annual vignette to use the country's motorways. Vignettes can usually be obtained at border crossings, gas stations and other outlets. Improperly used or lost vignettes are usually not refunded.
Vignette stickers are usually constructed in such a way that detaching and reattaching them is impossible without destruction, ensuring that they cannot be used on more than one vehicle. Road traffic is often monitored by roadside cameras, and vignettes are verified by state officials, such as border guard and national police. Hefty cash fines are often charged to travelers using public roads without a valid and properly affixed vignette. Additional tolls are usually levied for passing through certain motorway tunnels and bridges.
Eurovignette is a road toll for trucks of minimum 12 metric tons. The system was adopted in 1999, and is used in Denmark, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Sweden. (Belgium left the Eurovignette scheme on 1 April 2016 in favor of a distance-based tolling system.)
Video Vignette (road tax)
Vignette obligation by country
Austria
As of 1997, vignettes are required for all vehicles of up to 3.5 tons, driving on motorways and expressways (prefixed with letters A and S) under federal administration. Vignettes are overseen by the police and toll-sheriff employees of the federal motorway administration. A EUR240 fine with an additional obligatory payment of a substitute toll are charged to travelers without a valid vignette, and unpaid fines lead to penalties between EUR300 and EUR3,000. Furthermore, the vehicle may be confiscated from foreigners to guarantee payment of the penalty.
Additional tolls are charged for certain motorway sections where tollgates and video tolling systems are installed. Several sections require drivers to buy electronic toll cards, while the A-14 section allows travelers to buy a substitute one-day Corridor-Vignette. Vignettes for vehicles of over 3.5 tons were replaced with electronic distance-based highway-toll GO-Boxes on January 1, 2004.
Bulgaria
Vignettes are required for all (except motorcycles) vehicles driving on all public roads, with the exception of streets in cities, towns and villages. Vignettes are usually valid from the time they are purchased, while some types can be marked to start from a future date. They can be obtained in Bulgaria at most gas stations, at border crossings, or online using a credit card. Cash fines from EUR150 to EUR1,500 are charged to drivers without a valid vignette.
Czech Republic
Vignettes are required for the use of motorways and expressways by all vehicles of up to 3.5 tons. Cash fines for not displaying a valid vignette affixed on a car's windshield range from EUR80 to EUR200. Vignettes for heavier vehicles were replaced with electronic toll collection in 2007.
France
The French vignette-based vehicle tax was introduced in 1956 to fund a minimum income scheme for citizens of age 65 and above. They were available in tabacs, and all vehicle owners were required to buy one at the end of each year. The price depended on the engine's horsepower, and in which department the car was registered. The vignette system soon led to controversy, leading to the tax not being ring-fenced for the elderly any longer.
Vignettes were abolished for motorcycles in June 1981, and for other vehicles in 2001. A toll is currently charged for all travelers using motorways and expressways, while additional charges have to be paid for passing through certain tunnels and bridges.
Germany
Motorways and expressways are a toll-free road network for all lighter vehicles. The Eurovignette system for trucks was abolished in August 2003. A distance-based toll charge was introduced from 1 January 2005 for vehicles of over 12 tons, operated by the Toll Collect company.
As of 1 March 2007, all drivers are required to purchase an emission sticker when passing through "environment zones" in several cities and municipalities. Certain "green zones" have completely disallowed entrance to vehicles with higher particle emissions ("yellow" and "red" groups). Travellers passing through these areas without the sticker are charged with a EUR80 fine.
Hungary
Vignettes are required for all travelers using motorways and expressways. Physical toll stickers were replaced with electronic vignettes and video tolling on 1 January 2008, the only physical item the purchaser receives is a control coupon. Motorway usage entitlement is verified by roadside cameras based on license plate numbers, and drivers of vehicles up to 3.5 tons without a valid vignette are charged with cash fines between EUR50 and EUR200.
Moldova
Vignettes are obligatory for personal motor vehicles registered abroad, driving on public roads, and are available for purchase at border customs posts and offices. Foreign drivers without a valid vignette are charged with cash fines between EUR125 and EUR375. Heavier vehicles use existing tax rates, with commercial vehicle drivers paying a single-entry tax and a distance-based charge.
Montenegro
Ecological-tax vignettes were abolished on 31 December 2011. Driving on public roads is generally toll-free, with the exception of passing through certain tunnels and bridges.
Romania
With the exception of motorcycles, vignettes are required for all vehicles driving on all national roads and motorways. Physical vignettes have been replaced with electronic ones since 1 October 2010. They can be obtained at most gas stations, border crossings, or online using a credit card. Drivers without a valid vignette are fined with EUR100 or more. The fines are dispensed by automatic systems that scan the numberplate of the car when it exits a city.
Slovakia
Vignettes are obligatory for all vehicles of up to 3.5 tons, driving on Slovak motorways. Drivers without a valid vignette are charged with cash fines between EUR100 and EUR500. Vignettes for heavier vehicles were replaced with distance-based electronic toll collection using the remote-operated toll-box in force since 2010. Special arrangements are to be sought by the motorbike riders.
From 1 January 2016 Slovak vignettes are purchased and checked electronically via eZnamka.sk without a sticker.
Slovenia
Vignettes are required for all vehicles of up to 3.5 tons, driving on Slovenian motorways as of 1 July 2008. Drivers without a valid vignette are charged with cash fines between EUR300 and EUR800. Heavier vehicles use existing tollgates.
Switzerland
All travelers using motorways and expressways are required to purchase an annual vignette. Vignettes can be obtained in and outside of Switzerland in bordering countries at gas stations and labeled points. Use of motorway networks without a valid vignette is an offense against the Public Highways Act, and is punishable with cash fines of CHF 200, in addition to the obligatory purchase of an annual vignette. Heavier vehicles use a distance-based tax rate on all types of roads.
Maps Vignette (road tax)
See also
References
Source of article : Wikipedia
0 Comments