Dutch winter sports enthusiasts who have Austria as their destination are increasingly confronted with unexpected toll fines.
The ANWB received dozens of reports last year from motorists who found an unpleasant surprise on their doorstep when they got home: a fine of 120 euros for an alleged toll violation. According to the ANWB, many holidaymakers are not sufficiently informed about the toll rules in Austria, which means they unconsciously make mistakes when paying the correct toll.
On almost all Austrian motorways a toll sticker is mandatory. Motorists can choose between a traditional sticker for the windscreen or a digital registration where the license plate is linked to the vignette. What is often overlooked, however, is that this vignette is not valid on specific routes, the so-called Special exits. These are certain tunnels and mountain passes for which a separate toll must be paid. Anyone who forgets this risks a hefty fine.
wrong toll gate
This includes the Brenner Pass and tunnels such as the Bosrucktunnel, Gleinalmtunnel, Tauerntunnel and Karawankentunnel. Many holidaymakers think that their vignette will allow them to drive everywhere in Austria, but that is a misconception. The additional toll sections must either be paid for online in advance or paid on the spot at the toll booths. An additional pitfall is that there are different toll booths: some are only intended for travellers who have paid digitally in advance and are indicated by a green strip. Anyone who accidentally drives through these without paying online will automatically be fined.
The Austrian toll sticker is mandatory for all motor vehicles up to 3500 kg. This also applies to campers and passenger cars, but an additional sticker for a trailer or caravan is not necessary. There are three different sticker options: a 10-day sticker for short trips or transit, a 2-month version for longer holidays and an annual sticker, which is valid for 14 months. For those who cross Austria more often, a digital sticker can be useful, because it prevents the risk of a fine due to a poorly applied sticker.
growing annoyance
For many winter sports enthusiasts, the fine comes as an unpleasant surprise, especially because they were not aware of the additional toll obligations. "I had dutifully bought my vignette and thought I had arranged everything properly," says an affected holidaymaker. "Only when I got home did I receive a fine of 120 euros because I apparently had not paid separately for a tunnel. That was not clearly indicated anywhere."
The ANWB advises travellers to inform themselves well in advance and to be extra alert at the toll gates. With the spring break approaching, thousands of Dutch people are once again leaving for the Austrian ski resorts. The organisation hopes that this warning will prevent unnecessary fines. Anyone who has doubts about the toll payment on a certain route is best advised to consult the official toll websites or check with the ANWB how to arrange the payment correctly.
