French Toll Tag advice please . . . (1 Viewer)

[New Dawn]

I need an easy life as I'm travelling alone and thought I'd get a toll tag! Anyone got a small motorhome - under 3m high (ticks the box) 6.5m long, van style. Here's the problem I have - the van has been up plated from 3.5 ton to 4 ton (doesn't tick the box) although it's unlikely it will weigh more than 3.5 on this trip! (doesn't tick box because it's on V5) The vehicle has to be up to 3.5 ton to qualify for the 'normal' tag and you have to declare that when you apply. So . . . anyone had the same issue, if so what did you do? Travelling at the end of this month so I need to get a shift on!

 

[DBK]

I think you are being too honest! In the very unlikely event of you being stopped you can always rely on the defence the actual vehicle itself is under 3.5t.
We have a SANEF tag and it makes things very easy. My only suggestion is when you come to stick it on the windscreen, probably on the shaded bit behind the mirror, don't put it in the middle but leave room for another tag - we got a second one for Spain and Portugal.

PS: We ARE under 3.5t plated but when loaded with booze I am not 100% certain....

 

[New Dawn]

Strangely enough when we paid the machine en route I'm sure we only paid class 2 and that was with a 9m long twin axle - 2.8m high with Oyster and Air con unit on top!!! Yep, just checked 3 old receipts and they are all class 2!! Thanks DBT for prompting me to check that.

 

[Teuchter]

Our van was 3.5 ton, 6.9 m so we bought 2 SANEF tags - one for France & one for Spain/Portugal - best thing we ever did. Upgraded the van to 4 ton - still the same - no problem!!

 

[chaser]

Strangely enough when we paid the machine en route I'm sure we only paid class 2 and that was with a 9m long twin axle - 2.8m high with Oyster and Air con unit on top!!! Yep, just checked 3 old receipts and they are all class 2!! Thanks DBT for prompting me to check that.

any motorhome with four wheels is class 2 anyway

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[2657]

any motorhome with four wheels is class 2 anyway

Oh no it isn't!

2

Intermediate vehicles

• - Vehicle with overall height from 2 to 3 metres and GVW not exceeding 3.5 tonnes
• - Train with overall height from 2 to 3 metres and GVW of towing vehicle not exceeding 3.5 tonnes

3
HGV or bus with two axles
On the A14, all two-axle buses are in category 4

• 
  
• - Vehicle with overall height of 3 metres or more
• - Vehicle with GVW of more than 3.5

http://www.autoroutes.fr/en/vehicle-classification.htm

 

[chaser]

Oh no it isn't!

2

Intermediate vehicles

• - Vehicle with overall height from 2 to 3 metres and GVW not exceeding 3.5 tonnes
• - Train with overall height from 2 to 3 metres and GVW of towing vehicle not exceeding 3.5 tonnes

3
HGV or bus with two axles
On the A14, all two-axle buses are in category 4

• 
  
• - Vehicle with overall height of 3 metres or more
• - Vehicle with GVW of more than 3.5

http://www.autoroutes.fr/en/vehicle-classification.htm

how is it that everyone on here says tell them its a motorhome and it will be class two then, we always pay class two anyway.

 

[2657]

how is it that everyone on here says tell them its a motorhome and it will be class two then, we always pay class two anyway.

Because the toll operators can't be bothered arguing in a foreign language, people are trying it on and getting away with it....simple as that!

If you are under 3m and 2 axles the automatic system will charge class 2 as it has no way of knowing the GVW of the vehicle.

 

[chaser]

Because the toll operators can't be bothered arguing in a foreign language, people are trying it on and getting away with it....simple as that!

If you are under 3m and 2 axles the automatic system will charge class 2 as it has no way of knowing the GVW of the vehicle.

so that is what i said in the first place

 

[2657]

so that is what i said in the first place

This is what you said and it is not true, it is not the correct classification, because people fiddle the system and get away with it does not mean that the classification is correct.

any motorhome with four wheels is class 2 anyway

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[chaser]

This is what you said and it is not true, it is not the correct classification, because people fiddle the system and get away with it does not mean that the classification is correct.

so you jump out and tell them you are overweight and should be class 3 do you?

 

[2657]

so you jump out and tell them you are overweight and should be class 3 do you?

Of course not, that's not the point, I am merely pointing out that not all motorhomes with 2 axles are officially class 2 as you mistakenly said.

My van is under 3m and 3500k anyway so no problem for me, if other people get away with class 2 that's their business nothing to do with me.

 

[peterc10]

In our experience the only thing they always check is the height. In some booths they also count the axles. AFAIK they have never checked the weight. We have always been charged for class 2 for our 2.8m high A class Hymer in France.

 

[scotjimland]

I used the liber-t tag for three years with a Hymer that was 4,000 kg MAM .. and was never questioned..

before having the tag it was always charged Class2

technically incorrect and should have been Class3

but I wouldn't worry.. they don't have weighing at the toll

 

[Spriddler]

In our experience the only thing they always check is the height. In some booths they also count the axles.

I rarely use toll roads, maybe half dozen autoroute trips in France in the past 4 years and all entry and exit toll booths have been unmanned and fully automatic. I travel solo and just hop out, walk round the front of my Class 2 m/h, insert my ticket, pay by debit card and go. It only takes a minute, or two at most.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[New Dawn]

Thanks guys very useful. Helped me to decide whether to become a 'crim' or not! Just remember they don't have to weigh you, they just ask to see your V5!
Thanks again everyone.

 

[scotjimland]

they just ask to see your V5!

can honestly say I have never seen anyone at a Telepeage booth inspecting anything .. they are unmanned.

 

[nidge]

The tag is the best thing sliced bread! We are over 3.5 tons and slightly over 3m. Always charged as class 2 when the invoice comes. Don't feel guilty in anyway as the 3 of us spend around 3 grand over 4 weeks in France.

Nidge

 

[Koppersbeat]

Hi New Dawn,
I am now a solo traveller,apart from the dog,and bought a Sanef tag for my trip in June.
I was a bit apprehensive on first use but it is brilliant.In fact quite exciting when you come to one that allows you to drive through at 30 mph without slowing down !
The tag was delivered very quickly.I was given this link to give a new purchaser a £5 discount.

 

[Ridgeway]

can honestly say I have never seen anyone at a Telepeage booth inspecting anything .. they are unmanned.

Thought the same until a Bobby popped out from behind one a few weeks back and fined me for having an ear piece in.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[GAVLAD]

We’re pushing 9m long and 3.24m high tag axle and was charged a mixture of class 2, 3 & 4.
Although there’s a charging menu shown upon approach to the toll booths and prices and vehicle pictures are shown online, I don’t think that there’s any consistency.
I’d like to think that you would be class 2 if it’s the van in your picture avatar.

 

[New Dawn]

Hey, thanks Koppersbeat. It wasn't you who fined Ridgeway for having an ear piece was it!? Strange because my french friend wears one all the time when she's driving in France - she has got long hair though!

 

[New Dawn]

Yes, GAVLAD it is. 2.7m high - so outside I'm a class 2 but inside I'm a class three!

 

[Mike800966]

And of course Never move off without all the seatbelts fastened.
So perhaps thats another advantage of the Sanef Tag system.
SWIMBO doesnt need to leave her seat!
Mike & Ann

 

[nidge]

Thought the same until a Bobby popped out from behind one a few weeks back and fined me for having an ear piece in.

Why ?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[The Silvers]

We have never used one of these tags, do you pay a monthly fee?

 

[nidge]

We have never used one of these tags, do you pay a monthly fee?

Google Sanef tolling France and all is explained on there. As I said In my previous post " best thing since sliced bread" if using French toll roads.

Nidge

 

[The Silvers]

Thanks Nidge

 

[Camdoon]

Google Sanef tolling France and all is explained on there. As I said In my previous post " best thing since sliced bread" if using French toll roads.

Nidge

The French tend not to buy sliced bread.

 

[quilkin]

OOps I'm off to Frnce on Sunday and meant to get one of these tags before I went. Totally forgot, too late for post now. Is there any way to buy one on France?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}