How do you pay tolls automatically in France?

The lanes at the toll plazas on the French motorways (autoroutes) have beacons mounted on gantries above them that detect the transponder travelling underneath and automatically charge the toll to the tag owner's account. The barrier lifts automatically and you drive straight through without stopping.



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If you are going to France only once and for a relatively short trip then it's probably not worth it. On the other hand, if you are going to make a very long trip through France or visit several times a year then it's probably worthwhile.

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When using a toll road in France, there are several ways you can pay for tolls. Any driver can pay for tolls by credit, debit card or cash (for manned toll roads). Across the country, most tolls are now automated and unmanned – however, on the larger, busier autoroutes, some continue to provide manned booths.

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French motorways (autoroutes) can be identified by the letter “A” and most of them are toll roads. The entrance to these roads is marked as “Péage”. All autoroutes signs are blue with white lettering, if it is a toll road it will be indicated too.

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The Liber-t electronic toll tag allows you to avoid queues at all tolls on the French motorways.

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What are the cons of electronic tolls? While there are many pros when it comes to electronic tolls, there are also a few cons that are worth mentioning: Electronic tolls mean you pay additional charges due to the subscription fee, the cost of the badge and its activation.

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?Free motorways and routes avoiding tolls
  • two thirds of the section on the A16 - A28 route between Calais and Rouen.
  • the A 84 from Caen to Rennes.
  • 275 km of the A20 from Vierzon to just south of Brive la Gaillarde (the longest stretch of free motorway in France, and the main Paris-Toulouse route).


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The Crit'Air system applies to all vehicles and affects both French motorists and foreign-registered vehicles. All vehicles need to display a vignette to drive and park in the zones restricted by a ZCR or ZPA. Not all vehicles are eligible for a vignette.

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You'll often see the word 'rappel' underneath speed limit signs in France. It translates as 'reminder' and its purpose is to remind you that speed restrictions are still in place, so you need to stick to the specified limit.

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To recap, the speed limit in France's motorway is: 130 kph (80 mph) in dry weather conditions. 110 kph (68 mph) in wet weather conditions. 50 kph (31 mph) in foggy weather, when visibility is less than 50 m.

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