24 november 2023 — 14:00
From January 1, 2024, the fare in Austria will be based on different criteria compared to today, reports bamap.org . According to the new rules, distance, axle configuration, Euro emission class and CO2 emission indicators will be taken into account. And it will also be charged on motorways and expressways from vehicles with a maximum permissible technical mass of more than 3.5 tons.
Special paid routes will have higher fares. The obligation to pay road tolls applies to all road users (both citizens and foreigners).
Depending on the CO2 class, different levels of rates are provided. Electric/hydrogen vehicles will belong to Class E (the most favorable). Cargo vehicles registered for the first time before July 1, 2019, and buses belong to the most expensive class E (the least favorable). To be assigned to classes A - C, you must submit documents to ASFINAG.
In addition, as a co-financing for the construction of the Brenner base tunnel, a surcharge of up to 25% will be charged for the base kilometer of the A13 Brenner motorway and the A12 Inntal motorway from the state border in Kufstein to the Innsbruck/Amras intersection.
How are tolls collected?
At approximately 400 points along Austrian motorways and expressways, arches above the road will collect vehicle information along with a device in the car (GO-Box). The fee is deducted depending on the mileage traveled. Thanks to the automatic microwave connection between the car and the toll arches, there is no need to stop, drive into a certain lane or set a certain speed limit.
Vehicles with a maximum permissible total mass exceeding 3.5 tons can only drive on motorways and expressways if they are equipped with a GO-Box. The device must be installed in the car before entering Austria.
GO Box
The fare is deducted automatically in the appropriate amount, depending on the registered number of axles of the vehicle. Additional fees, special rates of road tolls and differentiation of rates of road tolls depending on the time are deducted without any action on the part of the driver.
The GO-Box is attached to a specific license plate, corresponds to a certain emission class and is attached to the windshield with adhesive tape. The GO-Box can be picked up at more than 200 points of sale (at service stations, on a secondary road network, in foreign countries near the border) within a few minutes upon presentation of a certificate of registration and a minimum payment of 80 euros (a loan of 75 euros, a system commission of 5 euros).
If the GO-Box is returned after transit through Austria, the unused loan will be paid; only the system fee of 5 euros will be saved. The loan remains valid for two years.
Payment methods
Prepayment procedure: prepayment of the loan for travel at points of sale (gas stations, rest stops) by replenishing the GO-Box with cash, credit cards or ATMs (from 80.00 to 500.00 euros).
Post-payment procedure: After registration with ASFINAG (toll operator in Austria), road tolls can be paid using credit cards, fuel cards or by direct settlement with ASFINAG through a bank account.
Control
There are stationary and mobile monitoring systems that photograph all cargo vehicles and buses. By comparing the data, it is possible to filter out violators (cars without a GO-Box, with an incorrectly set number of axles or without credit). The authorities overseeing road tolls charge an additional fare (120 or 240 euros, depending on the offense). Alternatively, the supervisory authority may initiate an administrative criminal case, for which a fine of 300 to 3000 euros may be imposed. The vehicle can also be forcibly stopped.