Most countries in Europe charge toll fees. This is known as a toll obligation. But what does that mean? Tolls are charged for using specific roads, tunnels, and bridges. The money collected through tolls is invested in the road network, enabling you to enjoy a smooth journey. The primary areas of investment include infrastructure, traffic management and safety, and environmental protection measures.
Tolls can be collected in different ways. These include the vignette obligation, the distance-based toll, and special toll routes.
With the vignette obligation, tolls are not based on kilometers driven, but are charged as a flat-rate fee, varying by the duration of your trip. You purchase a digital vignette before your trip and choose from various validity periods. The price of a vignette can vary depending on the vehicle class.
By purchasing the vignette, you make a one-time purchase that allows you to drive on all toll roads (except special toll routes). The vignette obligation applies to vehicles up to 3.5 t GVW. More detailed information about the vehicle classes and the vignette obligation can be found in our guide.
Distance-based tolls apply in Slovenia to vehicles over 3.5 t GVW (trucks, buses, motorhomes). Unlike the vignette, the distance-based toll is not a flat-rate fee, but is based on the kilometers driven, vehicle class (number of axles), and emission class (pollution level). The Euro emission class is divided into pollutant categories 1–6, where class 1 represents high pollution and class 6 low pollution. Vehicles subject to distance-based tolling (vehicles over 3.5 t GVW) are exempt from the vignette obligation (vehicles up to 3.5 t GVW).
The toll is collected using an electronic toll system that records the distance traveled via an electronic transmitter. To do this, you must purchase the so-called DarsGo transmitter. This device allows for the automatic payment of toll fees and is also commonly referred to as a toll box or On-Board Unit (OBU).
Special toll routes are often tunnels or mountain passes. If you travel on a special toll route, you must pay an additional fee. This fee, like the vignette, is a flat rate and varies by vehicle class.
The special toll is charged for specific routes that are not subject to either the vignette obligation or the distance-based toll. This means that even if you have already purchased a vignette for using highways or paid the distance-based toll using a transponder (transmitter), there are certain route sections where an additional fee applies. The special toll therefore applies to anyone who wants to use these specific routes.
The Karawanks Tunnel is the only special toll route in Slovenia. This tunnel connects Austria with Slovenia and is mainly used to cross the border. Although the Karawanks Tunnel itself is not part of a vignette-required route, it is reached via routes that are. Please note that most special toll routes can be accessed via roads that are subject to the vignette obligation or the distance-based toll. More detailed information about the special toll in Slovenia can be found in our guide.
With our free route planner, you can quickly and easily find out which toll products you need for your journey through Slovenia.
We wish you a pleasant trip to Austria and are happy to assist you with any further questions regarding Austria and the associated toll regulations. Feel free to contact us via email.
