France introduces toll system without booths: pay within 72 hours

France is expanding its Péage en flux libre toll system. Automatic cameras record number plates on motorways. Drivers must pay within 72 hours to avoid penalties.

Automatic cameras replace toll booths

France is introducing Péage en flux libre, a toll system without traditional toll gates. Automatic cameras record license plates and calculate tolls based on your route. This system is already in use on major motorways like the A79 and A13, and is gradually being rolled out across the French network.

Payment within 72 hours is mandatory

After using a Péage en flux libre route, you must pay the toll within 72 hours to avoid hefty fines. The system works entirely automatically: you drive through without stopping and receive an invoice later. This makes toll payment simpler, but requires you to stay on top of the payment deadline.

Watch out for environmental zones in French cities

Some French motorways pass directly through cities with low-emission zones where the Vignette Crit'Air sticker is mandatory. This applies independently of the Péage en flux libre system. Make sure you check which routes you're using and whether you need an environmental sticker, especially when passing through cities.

What this means for camper and car drivers

Drivers crossing France via toll motorways can no longer pay in cash or with a prepaid card. The payment and registration process is completely digital and automatic. For those who regularly use French roads, it's worth setting up your payment details in advance to ensure invoices are settled without issues.