German motorways – tolls, sections and signage

The Germany’s Autobahn Network (German motorways) spans over 13,000 km, covering the entire country with highway-class roads and comprehensive infrastructure.

Are you sure you know everything you need to travel smoothly on German motorways? Do you want to avoid unnecessary complications caused by a lack of knowledge about the rules in place? You’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we provide up-to-date information on road tolls, speed limits and the toll system (Maut) in Germany. This guide will help you plan every detail of your journey, ensuring that your focus remains solely on the road while driving.

Are German motorways toll roads?

The Autobahn network in Germany plays a crucial role in both domestic and international transit, serving as key routes for passenger cars and trucks. Many of these highways are also essential corridors for transporting goodsacross Western Europe.

So, do you have to pay to use German motorways? The answer depends on the type of vehicle you’re driving.

Motorway travel in Germany is free of charge for passenger cars, motorcycles, and vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of up to 3.5 tonnes.

However, trucks over 3.5 tonnes are subject to different rules and must pay road tolls (Maut).

Road tolls for trucks in Germany (changes from July 1, 2024)

As of July 1, 2024, all trucks over 3.5 tonnes used for freight transport (or intended for such use) must pay tolls to drive on German motorways. Before this date, the toll obligation applied only to trucks exceeding 7.5 tonnes GVW.

Toll rates are calculated based on several factors:

• Number of axles
• Emission class
• Vehicle weight category (GVW)

The cleaner the emission class, the lower the toll rate, encouraging the use of more environmentally friendly trucks.

The latest toll rate table (effective from July 1, 2024) is available HERE >>>

Certain craftsmen’s vehicles are exempt from tolls under specific conditions.

If you want a quick and easy way to calculate toll costs for German roads, we recommend HOGS Maps — a modern tool that automates toll calculations while helping you optimize total transport costs.

Try HOGS Maps for 14 days – totally free!

Toll-Free Sections of German Motorways

Although German motorways are toll roads for all trucks over 3.5 tonnes GVW used for freight transport, there are two sections where tolls do not apply.

Tolls are not required on the following routes:

• A5: From the Swiss-German and French-German border to the Müllheim/Neuenburg interchange (both directions).
• A6: From the French-German border to the Saarbrücken-Fechingen interchange (both directions).

Road tolls for passenger cars

For passenger cars, motorcycles and vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes GVW, no toll fees apply when driving on German motorways.

However, there are two toll tunnels where even passenger vehicles must pay, but these are located on national roadsrather than on the Autobahn network.

Toll tunnels in Germany

The two toll tunnels located in Germany are Warnow Tunnel (also known as Warnowquerung) and Herrentunnel.

Warnow Tunnel (Warnowquerung)

The Warnow Tunnel connects the eastern and western banks of the Warnow River near the city of Rostock.

Toll charges for this tunnel vary depending on the type of vehicle and season—from November to April, the rates are lower compared to the rest of the year.

👉 Check the latest toll rates HERE >>>

Herrentunnel

The Herrentunnel is part of B75, a road that links Lübeck and Travemünde. The toll fee depends on the type of vehicle used for travel.

👉 Check the latest toll rates HERE >>>

How to pay for German motorways?

Truck drivers must register all journeys on toll roads in Germany. Based on this data, the exact toll amount can be calculated.

Thanks to technological advancements, there are dedicated devices that make this process more efficient and automated.

Toll Collect – Germany’s Toll System

Toll Collect is an advanced road toll management system used by truck drivers on Germany’s toll roads.

The most popular option among drivers is installing a dedicated On-Board Unit (OBU) in their truck. This GPS-based device automatically records the travelled route and deducts the correct toll amount from the user’s account.

As an alternative to the OBU device, Toll Collect also offers a mobile app that allows drivers to manage toll payments via their smartphones. More details can be found on the operator’s official website.

HOGS Toll Box – effortless road toll payments

HOGS Toll Box is an innovative device designed for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) over 3.5 tonnes. It enables seamless toll payments across 14 European countries, including Germany.

With HOGS Toll Box, there’s no need to use multiple local toll registration devices or make separate payments. Your tolls are automatically processed, eliminating the hassle of manual transactions. When entering Germany from Poland, you won’t need to switch to a different operator’s system.

The HOGS Toll Box can be activated remotely at any time—no need for replacement or manual adjustments. Plus, with the latest 4G network technology, it remains fully compatible with future toll systems.

Speed limits on German autobahns

Germany’s autobahns are known for their excellent road conditions, making them a favorite among left lane and speed enthusiasts. Unlike in most European countries, there is no general speed limit for motorcycles, passenger cars and vans under 3.5 tonnes on unrestricted sections of the autobahn.

However, vehicles towing trailers must adhere to a speed limit of 80 km/h or 100 km/h if equipped with specific technical modifications.

This does not mean drivers can ignore speed limits entirely. Many sections have temporary or permanent restrictions due to roadworks, traffic density, frustrating traffic jam or accident-prone areas. Additionally, even on unrestricted stretches, there is an “advisory speed” (Richtgeschwindigkeit) of 130 km/h, which is not legally binding but can influence liability in case of accidents.

Speed Limits for Trucks in Germany

For trucks over 3.5 tonnes, the rules are much stricter. These vehicles must follow legally enforced speed limits, even on autobahns.

Permitted maximum speed limits for trucks over 3.5 tonnes in Germany:

• Autobahns and expressways:
  • 80 km/h – for all trucks over 3.5 tonnes.

• Outside built-up areas:
  • 80 km/h – for trucks up to 7.5 tonnes.
  • 60 km/h – for trucks over 7.5 tonnes and trucks up to 7.5 tonnes with trailers.

• Inside built-up areas:
  • 50 km/h – for all vehicles, including trucks.

Exceeding speed limits in Germany can lead to severe fines, penalty points, and driving bans, particularly for professional drivers. Given Germany’s strict enforcement of road regulations, it is always advisable to stay within the legal limits to avoid costly penalties.

German motorways speed limit-free zones – what you need to know

As mentioned earlier, despite the lack of a specific regulation imposing an autobahn speed limit for passenger cars (without a trailer), delivery vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes (without a trailer), and motorcycles on German autobahns, complete freedom of speed is not a reality.

The recommended speed on these roads for passenger cars (without a trailer), delivery vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes (without a trailer) and motorcycles is 130 km/h. If an accident occurs due to failure to adhere to this recommendation, the driver may be held responsible for driving too fast.

It is therefore advisable to consider 130 km/h as the maximum reasonable speed on German autobahns and stick to this limit for safety reasons.

When entering German national highway system, it is also essential to be aware of possible inspections by marked and unmarked police cars. Drivers must ensure they have valid third-party liability insurance. They must also have a valid technical inspection – failure to provide one may result in the vehicle registration document being confiscated by the authorities.

Road signs and markings on German autobahns and expressways

German road signs follow international standards and clearly indicate both speed limits and toll sections.

Autobahn and expressway signage

When entering an autobahn or expressway, drivers will notice blue-and-white signs that indicate the type of road.

These signs respectively designate a motorway (left sign) and an expressway (right sign) in Germany.

Numbering system of autobahns in Germany

The numbering of German autobahns follows a specific pattern. Like in Poland, they are marked with the letter “A” (from Autobahn in German), and their signage consists of a white one-, two-, or three-digit number on a blue background.

Understanding this numbering system allows for quick identification of additional route characteristics:

• Autobahns numbered 1 to 9 are Germany’s main routes, some of which hold international significance.
• Even-numbered autobahns run east-west.
• Odd-numbered autobahns run north-south.
• Two-digit autobahns are considered regional roads.
• Three-digit autobahns are regional or local routes, such as city bypasses, with the first digit indicating the approximate location of the road.

For frequent travelers on German autobahns, this knowledge can be very useful.

Summary

The German autobahn network is an extensive and high-quality road system that facilitates both domestic road transport and international transit across Europe.

For drivers of passenger cars, motorcycles, and vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, using German autobahns is free of charge. However, trucks over 3.5 tonnes, transporting goods or designed for freight transport, must pay road tolls. In addition, truck drivers must comply with speed limits and ensure that their journeys are properly registered.

The HOGS Toll Box provides a significant advantage for heavy goods vehicles traveling on German toll roads. By automatically registering and processing toll payments, it relieves drivers of administrative burdens, allowing them to focus on the challenges of logistics and transport operations.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Are German Autobahn System tolled in 2025?

In Germany, motorways remain toll-free for passenger cars, motorcycles, and vehicles with a maximum gross weight (MGW) of up to 3.5 tonnes.

However, since July 1, 2024, all trucks over 3.5 tonnes, including vehicle combinations exceeding this weight, must pay tolls to use German autobahns. Previously, this requirement only applied to trucks exceeding 7.5 tonnes.

How to pay tolls on German motorways?

Toll payments on German motorways can be processed via the Toll Collect system, using either onboard units (OBU)or the Toll Collect app. Once a vehicle is registered in the system, tolls are automatically calculated based on the distance traveled.

For truck drivers engaged in international transport, the HOGS Toll Box is a convenient alternative. This device eliminates the need to switch between local toll registration systems, allowing automatic payments in multiple European countries, including Germany.

Passenger cars remain exempt from motorway tolls in Germany, with the only exceptions being two toll tunnels.

Can you always drive without speed limits on German motorways?

While it is commonly believed that German autobahns have no speed limits, the reality is more nuanced, and you better watch the speed limit signs.

The absence of speed restrictions applies only to passenger cars (without trailers), light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes (without trailers), and motorcycles. However, many sections have permanent or temporary speed limitsdue to specific road conditions.

Additionally, Germany has a recommended speed limit of 130 km/h, and exceeding this speed may result in liability in case of an accident.

To learn about speed limits for trucks over 3.5 tonnes, refer to the section Speed limits for trucks in Germany in the article above.

Do you need a vignette in Germany?

Germany does not have a vignette system for its motorways. Passenger cars can use autobahns toll-free, with the only exceptions being two toll tunnels, where payment is required on-site.

For trucks, tolls must be paid for using German motorways and selected expressways via the Toll Collect system or HOGS Toll Box, which simplifies payments across multiple European countries.

Want to calculate toll costs across Europe, including Germany? Try HOGS Maps for precise toll calculations and test the app for free for 14 days!

Try HOGS Maps for 14 days – totally free!