European Union The Eurovignette Directive introduced in the
European Union in 1993 governs road tolls for
trucks of minimum 12
metric tonnes. An international agreement, based on Article 8 of the Eurovignette Directive, signed in 1994 by Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands established a common system of vignettes within the Eurovignette framework.
Sweden signed a protocol to accede to the agreement in 1997.
Germany denounced the agreement in 2017, as did
Belgium in 2019 and
Denmark in 2024. All vignettes in Bulgaria are electronic and are usually valid from the time they are purchased, but some types can be set to start at a future date. They can be bought in person at all border crossings, at most gas stations, at post offices, and at some bank branches. Vignettes can also be purchased online using the National Toll Administraton's website and its network of official partners.
Czech Republic in the Czech Republic. Vignettes are required for the use of
motorways and expressways by all vehicles of up to 3.5 tonnes. Cash fines for not displaying a valid vignette affixed on a car's windshield range from €80 to €200. Vignettes for heavier vehicles were replaced with
electronic toll collection in 2007. By 1 January 2021, the vignette stickers were replaced by digital vignettes. The official website for buying Czech electronic vignettes is edalnice.cz.
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 tonnes, operated by the
Toll Collect company. As of 1 March 2007, all drivers are required to purchase an emission sticker when passing through
low-emission 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 €100 fine.
Hungary by roadside cameras. Vignettes are required for all vehicles on
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 tonnes without a valid vignette are charged with cash fines between €50 and €200. The official website for buying Hungarian e-vignettes is nemzetiutdij.hu.
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 €125 and €375. Heavier vehicles use existing tax rates, with commercial vehicle drivers paying a single-entry tax and a distance-based charge. The official website for buying Moldovian e-vignettes is evinieta.gov.md.
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 €100 or more. The fines are dispensed by automatic systems that scan the numberplate of the car when it exits a city. following a
successful referendum the previous year: the scheme was originally expected to run for ten years, but it was made permanent by a follow-up referendum in 1994. The vignette sticker was designed by Roland Hirter, and consists of a green motorway symbol and a two-digit year on a coloured background: the e-vignette, introduced on 1 August 2023, was designed by his son Thomas. 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.
Other EU countries The official shops for e-vignettes of other european countries or information about them can be found on tolls.eu.
United States In many states in the US, a validation sticker, also called "tag", has to be added to the rear
license plate. ==See also==