Categories for French toll charges

[s20hymer]

I drive a Hymer S820, Most of the peage we use want to charge classe 4, I always press the intercom and say " je suis un camping car ", most drop the charge down to Classe 2 but occasionally will get someone on the other end denying us.

 

[wp1234]

I’m actually bang on 3 mts high and for the last couple of years always got through as Class 2 BUT having fitted an Aircon unit on the roof I’m now 3.15mts and thus setting off the sensors and classed as CLass 3 . So we now check for the Class on the machine and if it shows as 3 we press the button and explain ,in my best French, that I have an Aircon unit on the roof they always change the toll to Class2 .

 

[Mags52]

We have been in France for a couple of months. Hymer B774 weight 5 tons, tag axle, 8 metres. The tolls have consistently charged us at class 2 and we've never had to appeal. We used to have a tag but got rid of it when we changed over to the big van but wonder why now.

 

[Chris CM]

Is there a charge for towing a trailer? Can’t see any reference to it on the links above. Just thinking of the Tamar Bridge, trailers charged at the same rate as the towing vehicle!

 

[bexleyjohn]

On way home today after 4 weeks in France. For the first time ever we didn’t use Autoroutes - saved over £300 and got to see so many places we would have missed. Takes longer but we’ll worth it.

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[Angleseyjj]

On way home today after 4 weeks in France. For the first time ever we didn’t use Autoroutes - saved over £300 and got to see so many places we would have missed. Takes longer but we’ll worth it.

Just out of curiosity, bexleyjohn, which way did you go and what were the highlights?

 

[Mags52]

On way home today after 4 weeks in France. For the first time ever we didn’t use Autoroutes - saved over £300 and got to see so many places we would have missed. Takes longer but we’ll worth it.

I'm wondering if taking longer means using more diesel - just assuming that the longer the engine is running the more you will use. Any thoughts?

 

[Phill D]

I'm wondering if taking longer means using more diesel - just assuming that the longer the engine is running the more you will use. Any thoughts?

Longer and less consistent steady speed, negotiating villages, will definitely affect the mpg in a negative way.
It's a balance that is a very personal choice.

 

[jongood]

If you interpret the information on the site you link to there is no actual reference to a camping car other than the picture.
If you then read the criteria for class 2, it is over 2 metres but under 3500 Kgs.
If you then look to class 3, over 3 metres, more than 3500 Kgs with no more than 2 axles.
However if you are over 3500 Kgs and over 3 metres with 3 or more axles you are then class 4.
The fact that you are a camping car does not automatically classify you as class 2!
If you then follow the link that page offers, https://www.sanef.com/sites/default/files/2019-01/ASFA_Classes_Véhicules_01-01-19.pdf it takes you to a more easily understandable description (in French) with pictures, there you will find that a sub 3 metre high motorhome will be class 2 and a greater than 3 metre high one will be class 3, leaving you to argue with a stroppy operator if you are over 3 metres and 3500Kgs with more than 2 axles.

It looks to me like they ve changed it.
Classe 2 is still mh under 3m and under 3500kgs
Classe 3 is mh over 3m and anything over 3500kgs regardless of axles

Autoroutes : classification des véhicules roulant sur l'autoroute - ASFA

Découvrez les tarifs autoroutiers selon la classe de votre véhicule. L'ASFA vous aide à préparer votre voyage et vous informe sur les tarifs autoroutier en France.

www.autoroutes.fr

 

[jongood]

On way home today after 4 weeks in France. For the first time ever we didn’t use Autoroutes - saved over £300 and got to see so many places we would have missed. Takes longer but we’ll worth it.

I agree we still stumble across some wonderful places while navigating france and we ve been doing it for years. Buying the grand itinaires map its actually pretty easy to plan your route to minimise tolls

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[Reusables]

If you have a PVC that’s more than 3m, but still under 3,500 kg’s it’s ……no more than .. class 2 Spain, often 1

We have just bought a pvc but I think it's just over 3 meters with the top box.. I've not measured it yet as it's still in the garage , but how do they know your under 3.5t?
I don't want to take the box off.
I'll try the button and argue before paying more than class 2.

 

[Fdhadi]

It looks to me like they ve changed it.
Classe 2 is still mh under 3m and under 3500kgs
Classe 3 is mh over 3m and anything over 3500kgs regardless of axles

Autoroutes : classification des véhicules roulant sur l'autoroute - ASFA

Découvrez les tarifs autoroutiers selon la classe de votre véhicule. L'ASFA vous aide à préparer votre voyage et vous informe sur les tarifs autoroutier en France.

www.autoroutes.fr

Classe 4 is mh over 3m and showing UK or GB on number plate

 

[Itsmcb]

Satellites, top boxes etc are 'additions' and should not affect the toll cost. Pressing the button may be required though.

 

[EuroTrotters]

We have just bought a pvc but I think it's just over 3 meters with the top box.. I've not measured it yet as it's still in the garage , but how do they know your under 3.5t?
I don't want to take the box off.
I'll try the button and argue before paying more than class 2.

It measures your height, over 3 meters and the weight is not taken into account at the moment. You will just have to request assistance.

I have only had a couple of non cooperative individuals.

 

[ukfetchfan]

We never go to France either…. but are looking to drive back from Basel to Luxembourg using the motorway that runs north from Basel, past Colmar and around the west of Strasbourg. Will we need to pay on that notorway? And also do we need to get involved with Crit Air regulations/ stickers etc
Thanks!

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[Itsmcb]

We never go to France either…. but are looking to drive back from Basel to Luxembourg using the motorway that runs north from Basel, past Colmar and around the west of Strasbourg. Will we need to pay on that notorway? And also do we need to get involved with Crit Air regulations/ stickers etc
Thanks!

You have options to avoid tolls.

 

[jongood]

E

We never go to France either…. but are looking to drive back from Basel to Luxembourg using the motorway that runs north from Basel, past Colmar and around the west of Strasbourg. Will we need to pay on that notorway? And also do we need to get involved with Crit Air regulations/ stickers etc
Thanks!

Easily done via Germany, you can get from Remich to Luxembourg for free but you will need to pay the appropriate Swiss charge.

 

[CumbriaPaul]

Doesn't this explain it?

Vehicle classification on french motorways - ASFA

Vehicle classification on french motorways. The Association of French Motorway Companies (ASFA) helps you plan your motorway travel in France: motorways network map...

www.autoroutes.fr

 

[Howard B]

Whilst I get your drift Harvey, it is not right that a vehicle plated at 5.5 tonne with 3 x axles, should be charged the same rate as a 44 tonne Artic with 6 x or more axles. I am happy to pay a proportionate rate, but not be unfairly charged.

Cheers,

Jock.

Same in UK. My motorbike tax is almost 3 times my wifes car tax. I suspect my car tax is more than your motorhome tax.

 

[Jo662]

We have just bought a pvc but I think it's just over 3 meters with the top box.. I've not measured it yet as it's still in the garage , but how do they know your under 3.5t?
I don't want to take the box off.
I'll try the button and argue before paying more than class 2.

You should be class 2 as our tag axle 3m is because it's a campingcar. If you get classed as anything over class 2 when you are at the toll just press the button and say ' un camping car s'il vous plait' and they will drop you down to a class 2. Has always worked for us on the odd occasion we have been classed higher than 2.

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[eurajohn]

You should be class 2 as our tag axle 3m is because it's a campingcar. If you get classed as anything over class 2 when you are at the toll just press the button and say ' un camping car s'il vous plait' and they will drop you down to a class 2. Has always worked for us on the odd occasion we have been classed higher than 2.

Read the detail of the links previously quoted (properly), you are not automatically class 2 because you are a camping car!

 

[Jo662]

Perhaps not,but we are a large Motorhome and are class 2 at tolls mostly.And on the odd occasion when we have been charged higher, they have always dropped to class 2 when we press to talk to someone. Just saying about our experiences

 

[Bazzagas]

If you have a PVC that’s more than 3m, but still under 3,500 kg’s it’s ……no more than .. class 2 Spain, often 1

So if you have a pvc that's 2.9 but have a small round ariel at the back is it measured from the ariel ( over 3 ) or from the top of the van..

 

[olley]

The RV is nearly always class 3

 

[EuroTrotters]

So if you have a pvc that's 2.9 but have a small round ariel at the back is it measured from the ariel ( over 3 ) or from the top of the van..

Yes

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[62272]

So if you have a pvc that's 2.9 but have a small round ariel at the back is it measured from the ariel ( over 3 ) or from the top of the van..

https://www.autoroutes.fr/FCKeditor/UserFiles/File/ASFA%20CLASSE%20VEHICULE%20BD.pdf

According to an outandabout quote (and this leaflet) accessories should not affect the sensor reading of the overall vehicle height.