Motorway tolls: what category is my vehicle?

Category 1

Light vehicles

• Overall height less than 2 metres
• GVWR no more than 3.5 tonnes

Category 2

Intermediate vehicles

• Overall height exceeding 2 metres
• GVWR no more than 3.5 tonnes

Category 3

Heavy goods vehicles and coaches (2 axles)

• Overall height exceeding 3 metres
• GVWR exceeding 3.5 tonnes

Category 4

Heavy goods vehicles and coaches (3 or more axles)

• Overall height exceeding 3 metres
• GVWR exceeding 3.5 tonnes

Category 5

2 wheels

• Motorcycles, motorcycles with side-cars, tricycles

categoryification of vehicles at motorway tolls

Many vehicles use our highways: light, heavy, 2-wheelers, coaches, etc. If all these types of vehicle coexist on the motorway, they all have a different price when they go through the toll! Indeed, depending on the weight, the height and the number of axles, the vehicles are categoryified according to 5 categoryes which will then have an impact on the price of the motorway. Let's take a look at the 5 vehicle categoryes and the vehicles that make them up!

Category 1

In this category, we find what are commonly called light vehicles. For them to be considered as a category 1 vehicle, they must have a height less than or equal to 2 m and a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) less than or equal to 3.5 tonnes.
Namely, loads on the vehicle such as trunks or bicycles do not change the category of your vehicle on the highway. You can therefore tow a trailer if the total height, excluding load, is less than or equal to 2 m.
In this category of vehicle we find:

• sedans, convertibles, station wagons or coupes;
• minivan;
• small utility vehicles;
• Most 4x4s.

Category 2

This category includes all intermediate vehicles. They have a height of less than 3 m and greater than 2 m and a PTAC less than or equal to 3.5 tonnes.
Namely, category 2 vehicles equipped for the transport of disabled people benefit from the category 1 tariff. The vehicle registration document must include the mention "disabled".
In this category of vehicle we find:

• category 1 vehicles towing a trailer or caravan whose total height, excluding load, is between 2 and 3 meters;
• large utility vehicles;
• Most motorhomes;
• Pick-ups with a habitable cell.

Category 3

category 3 is made up of heavy goods vehicles, coaches and other 2-axle vehicles. They have a height greater than or equal to 3 m or a GVW greater than 3.5 tonnes.
In this category of vehicle we find:

• 2-axle trucks;
• 2-axle buses or coaches;
• Small heavy goods vehicles with a GVW greater than 3.5 tonnes;
• Motorhomes over 3 m in height.

Category 4

This category includes all heavy goods vehicles, coaches and other vehicles with 3 or more axles. They have a height greater than or equal to 3 m or a GVW greater than 3.5 tonnes.
In this category of vehicle we find:

• Trucks with 3 or more axles;
• Vehicles with a trailer or caravan of height greater than or equal to 3 m;
• category 3 vehicles with a trailer;
• Coaches with 3 or more axles.

Category 5

This last category of vehicle includes all 2-wheeled vehicles authorized to drive on the motorway.
Good to know: motorized tricycles and quadricycles are also considered category 5 vehicles at the toll!