You will no longer have to stop at the toll, simply go under the gate. On certain sections of the highway (A14, A4, A79) the so-called “free-flow” tolls operate without barriers. And starting this Tuesday, December 10, the Paris-Normandy A13-A14 motorway will be the first motorway in France to be completely converted into toll-free.
But motorists don’t necessarily understand this change in technology, as they are often unaware of these tolls. In fact, it is no longer necessary to stop: gates with cameras record the license plate. The information is then cross-referenced to determine the cost of the trip. If signs inform drivers that they are on a free-flowing toll road, many drivers receive tickets they do not understand.
“I switched to the free toll without realizing it,” explains a motorist to BFMTV, “and received reminders with formal payment notices even though I did not remember having passed this toll.”
“I felt robbed”
He is not the only one who is surprised by these fines. Odile, a motorist, explains that “she felt robbed.”
“We pass by, we see the signs, we forget to look on the Internet. “They fined me 110 euros for 3 tickets,” he protests.
Payment is made through a tobacco shop, on the motorway company’s website or by subscribing to the electronic toll and obtaining a card that is attached to the windshield. It must be done within 72 hours after passing the toll.
3 days to pay
“After 72 hours, we noticed the violation,” explains Vincent Fanguet, director of operations and customer experience at the Sanef group. “If it is the first time there is a delay in payment, we still allow an additional 10 days.”
On the other hand, if it is not the first time, the first increase is applied immediately. It costs 10 euros in addition to the toll and after 15 days it increases to 90 euros. It can go up to 375 euros if there is a 2-month delay.
Starting December 10, the Paris-Normandy A13-A14 motorway will be the first motorway in France to be completely converted to toll-free. To avoid unpleasant surprises, drivers should be alert to these new gantries.
Source: BFM TV
