Toll enforcement and monitoring

The ASFINAG service and toll monitoring unit

In any toll system it is necessary to monitor and inspect the proper payment of tolls and to take action against infringements.

In the context of toll enforcement, a central role is played by the ASFINAG service, toll monitoring and enforcement unit (Service- und Kontrolldienst der ASFINAG). Toll enforcement officers are public order officers. They are employed by ASFINAG, trained at the official instruction and training centers for Austrian law enforcement officers and sworn in by the district administration authorities. When on duty, service and toll inspection staff have to carry an official ID card which they must show upon request. Toll enforcement officers are thus ASFINAG employees who act on behalf of the district administration authorities.

In Austria, the powers of toll enforcement officers are regulated by law (Federal Road Tolls Act, 2002)

Toll enforcement officers are thus entitled to:

• stop drivers using clearly visible and audible signals (such as blue flashing lights, hand-held stop signs, neon signage displayed in the rear of the inspection vehicle),
• determine the driver’s and the registered owner’s identity (such as an identity card),
• inspect the vehicle, especially the on-board unit for electronic toll collection, the (correct) attachment of the toll sticker, the tachograph, the odometer and the EC control device,
• order and accept payment of substitute tolls and fines,
• if necessary, take the appropriate measures to prevent vehicles from continuing their trip (using, for instance, wheel clamps or by confiscating the vehicle documents),
• take the appropriate measures to initiate administrative penal proceedings and/or accept a provisional security deposit on behalf of the authorities,
• In the course of their inspection trips, toll enforcement officers advise, consult and assist all users of Austria’s primary road network (providing first aid, securing the scene of an accident and/or providing assistance in the event of traffic jams. etc.).

Monitoring and inspection of toll stickers

Under Articles 17 and 29 of the Austrian Federal Road Tolls Act, compliance with the provisions governing payment of the mandatory time-related toll is monitored and checked by police and toll enforcement officers performing inspections at traffic inspection points, rest areas, on motorway and expressway accesses and exits and in free flowing traffic.

In addition, compliance with the obligation to have a toll sticker affixed is also monitored by camera systems (the so-called automatic toll sticker checks - Automatische Vignettenkontrolle, AVK).

Monitoring and inspection of payment of mileage-dependent toll for vehicles with a maximum permissible gross weight of over 3.5 tons

In the open toll system used in Austria, the provisions governing enforcement of proper toll payment for vehicles with a maximum permissible gross weight of over 3.5 tons provide for a combination of manual and automatic checks.

Manual checks

Apart from the automatic checks of correct and proper toll payment performed at specific toll gantries, manual checks are also conducted on the Austrian motorways and expressways. Monitoring and inspection is performed both in free-flowing traffic and at traffic inspection points and in parking areas.

Automatic checks

Alongside the manual checks conducted by toll enforcement officers, automatic checks are undertaken by inspection cameras installed on some 100 road sections along Austria’s motorway network. Without impacting the free flow of traffic, these cameras automatically categorize the vehicles passing by (i.e. determine the number of axles) and check whether tolls have been properly paid. Portable monitoring equipment is also used which can be set up as required on any toll section.

If a discrepancy giving reason for suspicion is detected in the course of such automatic checks, a picture of the respective vehicle is taken and sent to headquarters for further verification. Depending on the findings, the relevant information is either sent to the toll enforcement officers or a written request for payment of a substitute toll is sent to the respective vehicle owner.

Substitute tolls, administrative penalties

Toll stickers (vehicles with a maximum gross permissible weight of up to 3.5 tons)

Toll stickers are checked and inspected by police and ASFINAG toll enforcement officers. In the event that the toll has not been properly paid, a substitute toll is collected on the spot. In addition, compliance with valid toll sticker display is monitored by camera systems (automatic toll sticker checks). In the event that toll dodging is detected by these systems, a written request for payment of a substitute toll is sent to the registered vehicle owner.
In the event that the toll sticker is missing or improperly attached, EUR 120 (for passenger cars/campervans) or EUR 65 (for motorbikes) must be paid. The substitute toll for manipulation of toll stickers is EUR 240 (for cars/campervans) or EUR130 (for motorbikes). If these amounts are not paid, this results in a fine (administrative penalty) of between EUR 300 and EUR 3,000.

GO-Box (vehicles with a maximum permissible gross weight of over 3.5 tons)

In the event that the mileage-dependent toll for trucks, busses and large motorhomes has not been paid correctly, the ASFINAG toll enforcement officers will levy an on the spot substitute toll. The toll dodger is given the opportunity to pay the substitute toll immediately on the spot.
If incorrect payment of the toll is detected in the course of an automatic check, the registered vehicle owner will be sent a request for payment of the substitute toll. The toll dodger is also given the opportunity to pay the substitute toll immediately on the spot. The substitute toll for non-payment currently amounts to EUR 220 (for trucks, busses, large motorhomes) and for setting the wrong vehicle category (i.e. the number of axles set in the GO-Box is too low) there is a charge of EUR 110. If the substitute toll is not paid, administrative penalties (between EUR 300 and EUR 3,000) are due.