EU may challenge German road toll law

The European Commission will consider a legal challenge against Germany over the new road toll law, according to Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Critics argue that the toll discriminates against foreigners. The European Commission's President Jean-Claude Juncker said in an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung that the planned German road toll did not appear to conform to EU rules prohibiting discrimination against foreigners. "The Commission, the guardian of the EU treaties, now has to explore
June 2, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The 1690 European Commission will consider a legal challenge against Germany over the new road toll law, according to Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Critics argue that the toll discriminates against foreigners.

The European Commission's President Jean-Claude Juncker said in an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung that the planned German road toll did not appear to conform to EU rules prohibiting discrimination against foreigners.

"The Commission, the guardian of the EU treaties, now has to explore whether the treaties have been violated - if necessary at the European Court of Justice," Juncker said.

The toll, which Germany's parliament approved in March, will force foreign car drivers to pay up to 130 euros (US$143) a year for using the country's motorways.

German drivers would also pay the toll, but would receive a corresponding reduction in automobile taxes, which critics inside and outside the ruling grand coalition say contravenes EU rules.

Juncker's comments follow a report in Die Welt on Saturday that quoted Commission sources saying it planned to launch a legal challenge against Germany.
Urban Traffic Control Charging, Tolling & RUC

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Los Angeles Express Lanes links multiple modes of transportation
    January 25, 2012
    The Big Apple's loss is the City of Angels's gain, according to Ken Philmus
    Read More
  • MEPs push for safer, more environmentally-friendly trucks
    April 17, 2014
    New truck cab designs should make it easier for drivers to spot pedestrians and cyclists, thanks to draft rule changes backed by the EU Parliament. Other changes would enable designers to exceed current maximum weight and length limits in order to fit alternative-fuel engines and to streamline cabs to cut emissions. The draft rules would allow truck cabins to be made longer if designed to cut emissions, such as by improving aerodynamics; or to prevent accidents, by reducing blind spots or making the cab
    Read More
  • European safety drive
    April 25, 2012
    The European Commission is keen to boost road safety and analysis of road accident statistics. A key component of this move will be improving transparency over the safety of road infrastructure, in accordance with their obligations under European law. So far 11 European member states have been warned by the European Commission to be more open about the safety on infrastructure networks.
    Read More
  • The twisting path to enforcement’s future
    June 5, 2014
    Survey reveals some division of views about enforcement’s future as Colin Sowman discovers. Technological advances and legislative changes pose many questions for those involved in road enforcement, ranging from the changing demands of privacy and data protection legislation to the practicalities on multi-speed enforcement. So to get the industry’s views ITS International took soundings on some of these bigger questions. In a world where many vehicles are fitted with GPS linked ‘black box’ telematics system
    Read More

Highlighted Content