France/Italy Tolls over 3.5 tonnes

[Paulelana]

I am going to be touring France and Italy this year and will get either a Fulli or BipandGo tag. Having looked through the forums and the internet I am confused about which category my Adria Twin fits in as it is up-plated to 4.25 tonnes. Italy is easy because it seems to be simply based on being over 1.3m at the front axle. For France, some suggest that it is Class 2 based on height but in other places it seems to be a class 3 HGV based on weight. Does anybody have practical experience of using these tags when over 3.5 tonnes in France? Many thanks.

 

[DangerMousy]

Many, many, of us over 3.5t use toll tags in France and elsewhere: we've used our Fulli (and before that APRR) tags for years. Although weight is one of the criteria for determining toll class in France, in practice they only measure height. So the more important question is how high you are......if you're 3m or less then you'll have no problems whatsoever.

 

[SteveE]

Does under 3m mean any single point on the van can’t exceed this? We are under 3m but thinking about getting an aircon unit fitted which will take us a little over 3m… do the toll gates scan the height as you pass through and pick up on things like aerials, air con units etc if they exceed 3m? Thanks

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

https://www.fulli.com/en/electronic-toll-motorhomes

 

[The Saints]

The vehicle is electronically scanned as you approach the booth.

They shouldn't pick up on aerials but sometimes the AC unit gets recognised as the overall height.

I've no experience of that happening but others have said they asked at the toll booth and it was reduced to Class 2, ie under 3m height.

 

[PrettyandFluffy]

I am going to be touring France and Italy this year and will get either a Fulli or BipandGo tag. Having looked through the forums and the internet I am confused about which category my Adria Twin fits in as it is up-plated to 4.25 tonnes. Italy is easy because it seems to be simply based on being over 1.3m at the front axle. For France, some suggest that it is Class 2 based on height but in other places it seems to be a class 3 HGV based on weight. Does anybody have practical experience of using these tags when over 3.5 tonnes in France? Many thanks.

We're just back from a French trip using the Fulli tag, no problems at all and billed as a motorhome under 3m = class 2. It is a similar weight to yours, can't remember exactly but over 4 tonnes. Height and whether or not it has a twin axle seem to be the determining factors.

 

[The3mens]

How accurate are their systems?
My Auto Trail Savannah is 3.03 meters high and heavy. (4.25t)
Do I let a little air out or run heavy to get below 3m? (Joking before I get lots of reply)

 

[Figaro]

How accurate are their systems?
My Auto Trail Savannah is 3.03 meters high and heavy. (4.25t)
Do I let a little air out or run heavy to get below 3m? (Joking before I get lots of reply)

You may get charged class 3, or may not ?
If you stop at the booth to find out and challenge it over the intercom they'll probably change it to camping car class 2
Trouble is many toll barriers are going drive thru at 20 kph so no opportunity to challenge it or even know until it registers on your account. In Italy that can be the following month

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[Gaz n Debs]

We have a Fulli tag that we've used in both France and Italy in the last 2 years with our 4.25t rated, 2.95m high MH. So far we've only been charged as Class 2, I think when I applied for the tag I had to fill in the vehicle details and stated that we were a Class 2 vehicle - maybe wrong on this though as if I moved the tag to another vehicle I could potentially be getting charged incorrectly!
We like the ease of using the tag - especially in the 30kph lanes - although if we had the time we would definitely avoid the toll roads - as our latest bill of €241.60 is pending after our recent 2 week trip down to the South of France and back from Roscoff!!

 

[Martynovo]

You may get charged class 3, or may not ?
If you stop at the booth to find out and challenge it over the intercom they'll probably change it to camping car class 2
Trouble is many toll barriers are going drive thru at 20 kph so no opportunity to challenge it or even know until it registers on your account. In Italy that can be the following month

I've been on Bip for about 15 years and suddenly had category 4 on the bill using the Elenor motorway to Pau. Travelling at the moment and been trying to read the screens as we go through, not found one that shows the category working . I'm 2.96 plus aerials, was 3.5 tonne but replated to 4.2.. I had to submit my registration when I upgraded to include Italy and Spain last year. Wondered if that caused it.

 

[Barryh]

How accurate are their systems?
My Auto Trail Savannah is 3.03 meters high and heavy. (4.25t)
Do I let a little air out or run heavy to get below 3m? (Joking before I get lots of reply)

My old Autotrail Tracker was about that height. Always got Class 2 or it’s equivalent in other countries. I think the bump at the front which gives it that height might get discounted when being measured as being other stuff such as aircon as the majority of the roof is below 3m.

 

[Nmcd1963]

I am going to be touring France and Italy this year and will get either a Fulli or BipandGo tag. Having looked through the forums and the internet I am confused about which category my Adria Twin fits in as it is up-plated to 4.25 tonnes. Italy is easy because it seems to be simply based on being over 1.3m at the front axle. For France, some suggest that it is Class 2 based on height but in other places it seems to be a class 3 HGV based on weight. Does anybody have practical experience of using these tags when over 3.5 tonnes in France? Many thanks.

We have a tall mlt 570 crossover 3.1m high, 4.1 ton and use an Emovis unit as a class 2 and never had any problems other than the scanner on the odd occasion not picking up the rag, then we just press the button and state campercar, no issues.

 

[Garry - June]

We are an A Class tag axle 6.0t and 3.2m high...also towing a Motolug trailer with motorcycle... in Dieppe as we speak waiting to go home after 98 days away... not used a Toll tag just took ticket from toll booths and paid at the other end...despite our size and weight etc and 80% of the time coming up as Class 4 we have always just pressed the intercom (well my wife has) and asked politely... "Bonjour, Je suis un camping car class deux si vous plait" and on all but one occasion they have instantly reduced it on the panel from 4 to class 2... I did notice yesterday however on the last stretch back to Dieppe from Honfleur each one we came up as Class 2 automatically.... moral of this story is I wouldn't bother with a toll tag at all.... oh and be nice and polite to the toll operators.

 

[drmartinwhite]

I am going to be touring France and Italy this year and will get either a Fulli or BipandGo tag. Having looked through the forums and the internet I am confused about which category my Adria Twin fits in as it is up-plated to 4.25 tonnes. Italy is easy because it seems to be simply based on being over 1.3m at the front axle. For France, some suggest that it is Class 2 based on height but in other places it seems to be a class 3 HGV based on weight. Does anybody have practical experience of using these tags when over 3.5 tonnes in France? Many thanks.

Ours is 4.5 tonnes and we display the Angles Mort sticker. We also tend to use the French motorways because they are quick, if sometime a bit pricey. However, yes, technically it is a class 3, sonic you buy the electronic tag you would have to declare class 3, so I assume more expensive. But, our Hymer BMCT600 is 2.9m tall and the toll camera only look at height, which is 3m so every time we pass through the French toll we get charged class 2, sweet!

If you van is 3m or more perhaps get the tag. If below 3m try it, you will probably be charged class 2.

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

How accurate are their systems?
My Auto Trail Savannah is 3.03 meters high and heavy. (4.25t)
Do I let a little air out or run heavy to get below 3m? (Joking before I get lots of reply)

We're just back and our 2008 Apache is a tad over 3m and we were charged at class 2. I think someone in here suggested there's some leeway in the French detecting systems. If you think about it, to avoid delays and hassle if I was creating the system I'd air (aire) on the side of making sure a vehicle was defo over 3m.

d

 

[1090alex]

I am going to be touring France and Italy this year and will get either a Fulli or BipandGo tag. Having looked through the forums and the internet I am confused about which category my Adria Twin fits in as it is up-plated to 4.25 tonnes. Italy is easy because it seems to be simply based on being over 1.3m at the front axle. For France, some suggest that it is Class 2 based on height but in other places it seems to be a class 3 HGV based on weight. Does anybody have practical experience of using these tags when over 3.5 tonnes in France? Many thanks.

Hi,
I have a Carthgo Liner for Two which is rated at around 5.5 tonnes.
I bought a Bip & Go tag which we have used on our three visits to France.
When applying for the tag on Bip & Go's website I entered all the vehicle details and reg no. In due course I received the tag,fitted it and used it without issue on the Autoroute.
I presume the tag indicates at the toll which payment band my vehicle is in and charges me accordingly.
We found that the tag worked on most occasions but not all. Sometimes we had to reverse and drive very slowly past the cameras which read the tag.
If it didn't work we either paid as normal.or had an oprerative come out to the vehicle and check the tag and then raise the barrier manually.
Hope that helps,enjoy France. Alex

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[eddiec]

Our Fulli tag worked ok apart from a couple of occasions where the barrier didn’t lift at the exit as it showed incorrect class but a quick press of the button to the operator and easily fixed although I think it was more to do with the position of the tag and possible line of sight being hampered by the dash cam next trip I’ll separate them and hopefully sort the issue. 3.85t and 2.95 high not including the air con, billed for class 2.

 

[Chris116]

I am going to be touring France and Italy this year and will get either a Fulli or BipandGo tag. Having looked through the forums and the internet I am confused about which category my Adria Twin fits in as it is up-plated to 4.25 tonnes. Italy is easy because it seems to be simply based on being over 1.3m at the front axle. For France, some suggest that it is Class 2 based on height but in other places it seems to be a class 3 HGV based on weight. Does anybody have practical experience of using these tags when over 3.5 tonnes in France? Many thanks.

My Fulli tag got lost in the post so we're having to go through manually. In France if you are picked up as class 3 (highly likely) press the attention button and explain "camping car si vous plait merci" the class should chang to 2. In Italy you need to be class B.
Just found all this this week in the excellent forum pages Good luck enjoy your trip

 

[Dorwyn]

I never check the class but assume it's class 2. We're under 3.5 tonne and 3 metres high, to me it's worth the extra on tolls as it's cheaper on diesel , quicker and less stressful , I'm on good roads all the time and less chance of speeding or parking fines. To each his own!

 

[Paulelana]

Many thanks, all. Very useful.

 

[GAVLAD]

Mine's 3.3m high and 9m long tag axle and I've not bothered with getting a toll tag.
Officially, I'm class 4.
I've been charged class 2, 3 and 4 every year at different toll booths.
I tried 'je suis camping car' on the Milau bridge and one way was class 3 and the return class 4.
I don't think they know what they're doing and if that saves me some Euro's then great, I'm prepared to queue at the toll booth, although it is a pain when travelling alone.

 

[1090alex]

Mine's 3.3m high and 9m long tag axle and I've not bothered with getting a toll tag.
Officially, I'm class 4.
I've been charged class 2, 3 and 4 every year at different toll booths.
I tried 'je suis camping car' on the Milau bridge and one way was class 3 and the return class 4.
I don't think they know what they're doing and if that saves me some Euro's then great, I'm prepared to queue at the toll booth, although it is a pain when travelling alone.

I have a tag axle ,3.3meters high and 8.7 meters long
I assumed the system tweeked the tag to charge the toll according to the dimensions of the vehicle which I'd given when ordering the Bip&Go.
What difference does the height make on Autroute tolls? Surely the weight is the most important thing.

 

[PlacidoD]

We're just back and our 2008 Apache is a tad over 3m and we were charged at class 2. I think someone in here suggested there's some leeway in the French detecting systems. If you think about it, to avoid delays and hassle if I was creating the system I'd air (aire) on the side of making sure a vehicle was defo over 3m.

d

I think I suggested that based upon a past post on this site but when I did a Google search of official sites after my post here I could find no such reference. But it would make sense - same as speed cameras in the UK - a margin for error. Wherever I got it from what I read was the effective limit is 3.05 metres.

 

[Mleabon]

I've been on Bip for about 15 years and suddenly had category 4 on the bill using the Elenor motorway to Pau. Travelling at the moment and been trying to read the screens as we go through, not found one that shows the category working . I'm 2.96 plus aerials, was 3.5 tonne but replated to 4.2.. I had to submit my registration when I upgraded to include Italy and Spain last year. Wondered if that caused it.

I've got a bip and go at 4.25 t. Will be using it in September but hopefully still class 2.

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[GAVLAD]

I have a tag axle ,3.3meters high and 8.7 meters long
I assumed the system tweeked the tag to charge the toll according to the dimensions of the vehicle which I'd given when ordering the Bip&Go.
What difference does the height make on Autroute tolls? Surely the weight is the most important thing.

You’d like to think so as it’s the weight that’s the wear and tear on the road.
Fortunately for a lot, they’ve not thought of drive over weighbridges at the tolls yet - a lot of vans would get a shock.
I think they measure the height as it indicates a high sided van or truck which they can charge more for - same with axles.

I looked at the bip & go but stopped reading when it said it’s for classes 1, 2 & 5

 

[Buddy1012]

We are an A Class tag axle 6.0t and 3.2m high...also towing a Motolug trailer with motorcycle... in Dieppe as we speak waiting to go home after 98 days away... not used a Toll tag just took ticket from toll booths and paid at the other end...despite our size and weight etc and 80% of the time coming up as Class 4 we have always just pressed the intercom (well my wife has) and asked politely... "Bonjour, Je suis un camping car class deux si vous plait" and on all but one occasion they have instantly reduced it on the panel from 4 to class 2... I did notice yesterday however on the last stretch back to Dieppe from Honfleur each one we came up as Class 2 automatically.... moral of this story is I wouldn't bother with a toll tag at all.... oh and be nice and polite to the toll operators.

Interesting that as when we were recently heading down in the direction of Bordeaux and then across to Perigeux from Caen we were charged Class 2 at each toll (5.5 tonne tag axle). However across the south towards the Alps and eventually back up to Calais it always came up Class 4. Attempted a couple of polite challenges without success. It makes a big difference to the cost and doesn’t seem fair to be charged at the same rate as a huge lorry.

 

[Smokaijo]

We have a tall mlt 570 crossover 3.1m high, 4.1 ton and use an Emovis unit as a class 2 and never had any problems other than the scanner on the odd occasion not picking up the rag, then we just press the button and state campercar, no issues.

Thank you as we too are 3.1 and rated 5.5 tonne did wonder what tag to get .