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Toll obligation under the Federal Trunk Road Toll Act
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When you see the Zeichen
Check whether your vehicle is subject to tolls under the Federal Trunk Road Toll Act. Ordinary passenger cars are not subject to tolls; if you are driving a goods vehicle that is subject to tolls, the toll must be properly recorded or the route must be booked before you use it.
Rules
- Zeichen 390 indicates that tolls are payable under the Federal Trunk Road Toll Act; it is not a speed limit or a prohibition on driving through.
- The truck toll generally applies to vehicles intended or used for the carriage of goods and with a technically permissible maximum laden mass of more than 3.5 tonnes.
- For vehicle combinations, tolls are generally payable only if the towing vehicle itself has a technically permissible maximum laden mass of more than 3.5 tonnes.
- Ordinary passenger cars, including those towing trailers, are not subject to tolls solely because the vehicle combination weighs more than 3.5 tonnes.
- Anyone driving a vehicle subject to tolls must ensure that the toll is recorded correctly, for example using an operational on-board unit or a valid route booking.
Tips
- Do not confuse the sign with a toll booth: you do not have to stop or pay immediately there.
- For vans, check the vehicle documents for the technically permissible maximum laden mass and the vehicle's intended use.
- Before setting off, check that the on-board unit is switched on and that the axle, weight and emissions data are set correctly.
- If no suitable on-board unit is available, book the toll route in good time using the designated booking options.
Common misunderstandings
- Many learner drivers believe that Zeichen 390 means a general passenger-car toll. However, ordinary passenger cars are not subject to tolls because of this sign.
- The sign is mistakenly understood as a prohibition for heavy vehicles. It permits you to continue driving as long as the statutory toll requirements are complied with.
- It is often assumed that the total weight of a passenger car and trailer combination is decisive. For the truck toll, what generally matters for combinations is whether the towing vehicle itself has a technically permissible maximum laden mass of more than 3.5 tonnes.
Exam tip
A typical exam trap shows Zeichen 390 in front of a passenger car with a trailer: the sign does not require you to stop or pay a toll, provided the vehicle is not subject to tolls under the Federal Trunk Road Toll Act.
Did you know
Zeichen 390 is often found at border crossings and entrances to the federal trunk road network subject to tolls, informing drivers from Germany and abroad about the German truck toll.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay a toll in a normal passenger car at Zeichen 390?
No. The Federal Trunk Road Toll Act does not impose a general toll obligation on ordinary passenger cars.
Do I have to stop at the sign?
No. Zeichen 390 does not mark a toll station and does not require you to stop; however, if you are driving a vehicle subject to tolls, the toll must be recorded correctly or the route must have been booked.
Is every van over 3.5 tonnes subject to tolls?
In addition to the technically permissible maximum laden mass, the vehicle's intended or actual use for the carriage of goods is particularly important. Statutory exceptions may also apply and must be checked on a case-by-case basis.
Will my passenger car and trailer combination be subject to tolls if it weighs more than 3.5 tonnes in total?
No, not solely because of the combination's total mass. For vehicle combinations, what generally matters is whether the towing vehicle itself has a technically permissible maximum laden mass of more than 3.5 tonnes and is used for the carriage of goods.
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