The German parliament has just approved a measure to introduce tolls for all motorists to use their autobahn network. To be applied from 2016 the fee will be €10 for ten days or, €100 for a one year vignette.

The Dutch and the Austrian governments have immediately challenged this by saying that because the German government are giving a tax rebate equivalent to the €100 to all German motorists this toll discriminates against all other EU member nations' motorists and therefore is illegal under EU law.

This afternoon's announcement is set to stir up a hornet'a nest of stinging rebuke from both pro and anti EU supporters.

I look foreword to the debate with interest. FL2 SD4 Metropolis Auto Santorini Black / ivory completely stock.

It's true that light travels faster than sound, some people look quite intelligent until you hear them speak.


Stop global winging.

As my next 'Euro' outing with the 'van' is Germany and Austria I'll follow it with interest, but as long as any implementation is not brought forward to 2015 I will be happy'ish.

I can understand Austria's resentment as any motoring tourist/business driver wanting to access Austria from the north/north west would be using Germany's road network.

The toll has just gone up for Brazilians! John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)

The Germans announced overnight that all Brazilian registered cars are welcome to use their motorway system for free until the 2018 World Cup, where this provision will be reviewed pending subsequent match results

EYorkshire wrote:

As my next 'Euro' outing with the 'van' is Germany and Austria I'll follow it with interest, but as long as any implementation is not brought forward to 2015 I will be happy'ish.

I came back from an Austrian holiday 2 weeks ago and I had a bad experience. The police did a spot check on me. They asked to see my driving license and car registration documents. I showed the license and a photo copy of the registration document. I was told that by their law I needed the original reg docs and I was not allowed to drive any more and would have to get them sent over from the UK.

Their reasoning was I could have stollen the car. They were not interested in the insurance documents which showed the same address as the driving license, I asked them what thief decides to insure a car before they steal it?

Basically they kept me there for 30 minutes then gave me an on the spot 25€ fine and allowed my to continue driving. Someone told me that the police in Austria are on commition for dishing out fines.

When I checked I fould out that indeed most european countries ask for the car registration documents to be carried when driving, only the UK does not.

here i Italy as well.. we need to have the registration documents when driving..
and a valid insurance

athelstan wrote:

EY
As an experienced motorist you probably already know that you will need a "vignette" to use the Austrian motorway system and, if you wish to use some of the mountain passes there are additional tolls to pay. Currently if towing a "van" you will pay €24.80 for your car + van vignette.

You may find this link of interest (and anyone else who is considering touring across the EU): http://www.tolltickets.com/country/austria...lang=en-GB

Thanks athelstan Yes, I'm now starting to do my homework for next year and the vignette is not a bad price compared to the tolls that can be paid in France, although we kept off the motorways as the 'D' roads were pretty good.

When staying at Lake Annecy we went out for the day to Chamonix and took the 'rack and pinion' train 2000 metres up Mont Blanc, did give you a yodel but no reply

EY
If you enjoyed the Mont Blanc ride then go for the world's steepest: http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/pilatus...?iPadCover

Enjoy - and yodel from there and I'll just about hear you