Driving alone in France (Toll question)
Discussion
Hi All,
I'm driving through France late August on my own - all the way from Calais to Ceret (close to Spanish border near Perpignan).
What are the difficulties involved in paying tolls alone? Are there certain booths that cater for RHD cars i.e. window on other side? or is it simply a case of jumping out and paying on foot every time? If so, is it a case of physically stopping before the booth or actually at the barrier? I ask because I dropped a 20p at the M6 toll recently and the kerbs there don't actually allow you to open the door of your car so the chap at the barrier just told me to leave it and that he'd get it at the end of his shift.
I've looked at the Vinci passes but roughly translating the website into English, looks like it's only for those with French bank accounts which we've not got.
Any help appreciated.
I'm driving through France late August on my own - all the way from Calais to Ceret (close to Spanish border near Perpignan).
What are the difficulties involved in paying tolls alone? Are there certain booths that cater for RHD cars i.e. window on other side? or is it simply a case of jumping out and paying on foot every time? If so, is it a case of physically stopping before the booth or actually at the barrier? I ask because I dropped a 20p at the M6 toll recently and the kerbs there don't actually allow you to open the door of your car so the chap at the barrier just told me to leave it and that he'd get it at the end of his shift.
I've looked at the Vinci passes but roughly translating the website into English, looks like it's only for those with French bank accounts which we've not got.
Any help appreciated.
Get a Sanef tag from their UK office : https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/
marshalla said:
Get a Sanef tag from their UK office : https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/
This^^^^ piece of cake.... Drive up to barrier, barrier opens.....pay bill when you get home
marshalla said:
Get a Sanef tag from their UK office : https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/
Had one 3 or 4 years. When you drive past the huge queues the first time and just saunter through without even stopping its nearly as good as an orgasm 
Definitely a Sanef Tag, we've had one for over 10 years saves loads of hassle and time. Went to the Sanef office north of Paris on the A1 and exchanged our old big grey tag for a natty blue small one last time we were up there with no problems, in and out in 5 mins with a spare holder for a second car too.
sider said:
Sanef tag it is then.
Will see if those orgasms happen!
If you do get one, they really do save time and inconvenience....but just beware.... Never leave it in the car whilst unatendedWill see if those orgasms happen!
They're a target for thieves, as they're not registered to a particular vehicle... So anyone can use it..
Quinny said:
If you do get one, they really do save time and inconvenience....but just beware.... Never leave it in the car whilst unatended
They're a target for thieves, as they're not registered to a particular vehicle... So anyone can use it..
I never leave my orgasms in the car anymore after a trip to FranceThey're a target for thieves, as they're not registered to a particular vehicle... So anyone can use it..
Boshly said:
marshalla said:
Get a Sanef tag from their UK office : https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/
Had one 3 or 4 years. When you drive past the huge queues the first time and just saunter through without even stopping its nearly as good as an orgasm Frankly it's not a hardship - I drove from Paris to Munich in Jan and then a return MUC to UK a few weeks ago. Through France just stopped before and either leaned across or got out (depending whether I needed to stretch legs). Door doesn't jam against kerb because you get out other side ;-)
I am doing another return at the end of the month to get my Summer rims back on and will probably look at getting a tag
Edited to add : No I will not - €36 per year to get even lazier!! May drive back via Frankfurt, Koln and Brussels instead!
I am doing another return at the end of the month to get my Summer rims back on and will probably look at getting a tag
Edited to add : No I will not - €36 per year to get even lazier!! May drive back via Frankfurt, Koln and Brussels instead!
Edited by NormalWisdom on Wednesday 2nd April 13:52
NormalWisdom said:
Frankly it's not a hardship - I drove from Paris to Munich in Jan and then a return MUC to UK a few weeks ago. Through France just stopped before and either leaned across or got out (depending whether I needed to stretch legs). Door doesn't jam against kerb because you get out other side ;-)
I am doing another return at the end of the month to get my Summer rims back on and will probably look at getting a tag
Edited to add : No I will not - €36 per year to get even lazier!! May drive back via Frankfurt, Koln and Brussels instead!
August, French Autoroute main toll booths, No brainer. Its not just about the RHD difficulty (Not much TBH) its the sheer pleasure in avoiding the huge queues I am doing another return at the end of the month to get my Summer rims back on and will probably look at getting a tag
Edited to add : No I will not - €36 per year to get even lazier!! May drive back via Frankfurt, Koln and Brussels instead!
Edited by NormalWisdom on Wednesday 2nd April 13:52
And even the ones without heavy traffic go so much faster because of the Rapide lane where you don't even come to a halt.
£20 a year for me, assuming I use it for 2 different months (£5 per month charge up to a maximum of 2 months) then an annual £10 admin fee.
Wonderful things.
NormalWisdom said:
Frankly it's not a hardship - I drove from Paris to Munich in Jan and then a return MUC to UK a few weeks ago.
Edited to add : No I will not - €36 per year to get even lazier!! May drive back via Frankfurt, Koln and Brussels instead!
€20 of those Euros are a 1 off refundable deposit...Edited to add : No I will not - €36 per year to get even lazier!! May drive back via Frankfurt, Koln and Brussels instead!
....As someone with mobility issues driving alone, I wish I'd found out about them years ago
.... I'd always (wrongly) assumed you had to be a French residentOr you could simply get a small (ish) set of pincers or bbq tongs. Just avoid the spring loaded type which are difficult.
Makes it really easy, I have a pretty wide car and have happily used a credit card both at manned toll booths and in automated machines. No problem, and often raises a smile at the manned booths.
Sounds crazy, works a treat !
Makes it really easy, I have a pretty wide car and have happily used a credit card both at manned toll booths and in automated machines. No problem, and often raises a smile at the manned booths.
Sounds crazy, works a treat !
mogv8 said:
Or you could simply get a small (ish) set of pincers or bbq tongs. Just avoid the spring loaded type which are difficult.
Makes it really easy, I have a pretty wide car and have happily used a credit card both at manned toll booths and in automated machines. No problem, and often raises a smile at the manned booths.
Sounds crazy, works a treat !
Makes it really easy, I have a pretty wide car and have happily used a credit card both at manned toll booths and in automated machines. No problem, and often raises a smile at the manned booths.
Sounds crazy, works a treat !
I used that idea in a GT3 several years ago and it worked OK but , honestly, easier to just get out and walk round. And you still have to queue up with the great unwashed.
Tag every time.
I have a Sanef tag now (which is fan f
king tastic)
But for years I used a litter picker from a garden centre to grab the tickets and a small fishing net to pay with, it worked really well and always made the cashiers and even Gendarmes laugh!
But the Tag.............. The novelty is still right up there for me after about 10k miles in France over the last 12 months!
king tastic)But for years I used a litter picker from a garden centre to grab the tickets and a small fishing net to pay with, it worked really well and always made the cashiers and even Gendarmes laugh!
But the Tag.............. The novelty is still right up there for me after about 10k miles in France over the last 12 months!
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