Weather update Road transport
German farmer has to pay toll for tractor
German farmers and contractors will have to pay tolls from 1 July when they drive their agricultural vehicles on toll roads. Germany has had a toll system for trucks since 2007. If a tractor drives faster than 40 kilometers per hour, you also have to pay. The change in law has sparked outrage.
Germany has quite a few kilometers of toll road; 12.800 kilometers of highway and 2.300 kilometers of provincial roads. Since 2007, trucks have to pay to drive over it. How much you pay depends on how 'clean' the vehicle is and how many axles it has, including trailer. The minimum weight is 7,5 tons.
Only for contract work
Until recently, farmers and contractors were exempt from this 'mautpflicht'. That will change on July 1. If you carry out work for your own company, then there is nothing to worry about. However, if you help the neighbor, you have to pay. Contractors and machinery (tool cooperatives) also have to pay tolls for vehicles that drive faster than 40 kilometers per hour; the law also applies to forestry vehicles. It leads to great outrage. Several states, including Rhineland-Palatinate, are taking matters into their own hands and trying to block the national law.
11,3
cent
It is not yet clear whether a special rate will apply to tractors. The system is now purely focused on trucks. This would mean that you pay 4 euro cents per kilometer for a Tier 11,3 tractor; with a tandem tipper behind it, this rises to 13,8 cents per kilometre. If you drive potatoes or corn back and forth for 1 day, that can add up. In the country, all agricultural and forestry vehicles have a registration number. Checking is therefore no problem, although the question is how a distinction is made between own work and contract work.
Dutch users
What this means for Dutch companies entering Germany is unknown. These tractors and machines are provided with a GV registration number. It is therefore possible that you receive an envelope at home. Special speed cameras must control the toll collection.
Niels van der Boom
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