Poland launches road tolling for foreign lorry drivers
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POLAND HAS become the latest European country to launch an electronic toll collection scheme for HGVs on its motorways and major routes. It plans to roll out the scheme within the same time frame the Department for Transport has outlined for introducing the Lorry Road User Charge in this country.
The viaToll system applies to all trucks over 3.5-tonnes GCW and will be levied on 1,650km of Poland’s roads. Failure to pay could result in fines. Vehicles using the tolled routes will be required to fit an onboard viaBox device (similar to the German Toll MAUT system), which provides encoded information to a receptor on an overhead gantry as the vehicle passes underneath. Hauliers can either sign a contract with viaToll and be billed at the end of the month for the distance covered or, using the viaBox device, pre-pay at a service station or viaToll pay points. The viaBox unit cannot be transferred from one vehicle to another.
Toll charges vary according to the Euro engine emission standard of the vehicle, as well as its GVW. There are also two weight-related charging bands – above 3.5 tonnes to under 12 tonnes GCW, and at least 12 tonnes plus GCW. For full details on charges and registering for the viaToll network visit www.viatoll.pl/ en/heavy-vehicles/viatoll-system (a full English translation is available).