When you pass through a toll plaza, the applicable rate depends on the distance traveled… but also on your vehicle's class. Height, weight, number of axles: several criteria are taken into account to determine this classification. It's essential, especially if you're driving a vehicle with a caravan, a motorhome, or a commercial vehicle. On this page, we'll help you better understand how toll classes work and what you can do if you make a mistake.

Toll vehicle classes: let yourself be guided!

Category 1

Light Vehicles - VL

Light Vehicles

  • Total Height < 2m
  • GVWR < up to 3.5t

Category 2

Intermediate Vehicles

Intermediate Vehicles

  • Total height strictly between 2m and 3m
  • GVWR ≤ up to 3.5t

Category 3

Heavy Goods Vehicles

Heavy Goods Vehicles and Coaches (2 axles)

  • Total Height ≥ at 3m
  • GVWR > at 3.5t

Category 4

Heavy Goods Vehicles and Coaches

Heavy Goods Vehicles and Coaches (3 axles and more)

  • Total Height ≥ at 3m
  • GVW > at 3.5t

Category 5

Moto

2 wheels

  • Motorcycles
  • Sidecars, trikes

 

What is the vehicle classification at motorway tollbooths?

Many vehicles use our highways: cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, etc. While all these types of vehicles share the highway, each has a different toll rate! Indeed, depending on their weight, height, and number of axles, vehicles are classified into 5 classes, which then affect the highway toll price. Let's look at the 5 vehicle classes:

Category 1

This class includes what are commonly called light vehicles. To be considered Class 1 vehicles, they must have a height of 2 meters or less and a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 3.5 metric tons or less. Loads such as roof boxes or bicycles do not change your vehicle's class on the highway. You can therefore tow a trailer if the total height, excluding the load, is less than or equal to 2 meters. This vehicle class includes:

  • Sedans, convertibles, station wagons, and coupes;
  • Minivans;
  • Small commercial vehicles;
  • Most 4x4s and SUVs.

Category 2

This class includes all intermediate vehicles. They have a height of less than 3 meters and more than 2 meters and a maximum authorized mass (MAM) of 3.5 tonnes or less. Class 2 vehicles adapted for transporting disabled people are subject to the Class 1 rate. The vehicle registration document must include the "disability" designation.

This vehicle class includes:

  • Class 1 vehicles towing a trailer or caravan with a total height, excluding load, between 2 and 3 meters;
  • Large vans;
  • The vast majority of motorhomes;
  • Pick-up trucks with a passenger compartment.

Category 3

Class 3 consists of heavy goods vehicles, coaches, and other two-axle vehicles. They have a height of 3 meters or more, or a maximum authorized mass (MAM) exceeding 3.5 tonnes.

This vehicle class includes:

  • Two-axle heavy goods vehicles;
  • Two-axle coaches;
  • Light goods vehicles with a maximum authorized mass (MAM) exceeding 3.5 tonnes;
  • Motorhomes over 3 meters in height.

Category 4

This class includes all heavy goods vehicles, coaches, and other vehicles with 3 or more axles. They have a height of 3 m or more or a maximum authorized mass (MAM) exceeding 3.5 tonnes.

This vehicle class includes:

  • Heavy goods vehicles with 3 or more axles;
  • Vehicles with a trailer or caravan with a height of 3 m or more;
  • Class 3 vehicles with a trailer;
  • Coaches with 3 axles or more.

Category 5

This last vehicle class includes all 2-wheeled vehicles authorized to travel on the motorway. Motorized tricycles and quadricycles are also considered Class 5 vehicles for toll purposes!

Go further: