How to buy an e-vignette in Slovenia
Slovenia is known for its picturesque mountains, beautiful lakes, and of course, the country’s motorway network. The whole country is connected by a series of highways and toll roads. If you’re planning a road trip from Ljubljana to Maribor or vice versa, you should take note of the toll fees you have to pay. You will need to get an e-vignette pass before you set off and hit the road. This guide will show you how to buy your motorway e-vignette in Slovenia and any fees that may apply.
Why does Slovenia have motorway tolls?
There are a few reasons why Slovenia has motorway tolls. The country has a network of highways that are used by a large number of vehicles, something I noticed while I was on the road in Slovenia. To help maintain and improve the motorways, the government has placed tolls on them. The revenue generated is also used to construct new routes so that they can continue to be used by people. Therefore, e-vignettes play an important role in ensuring the sustainability of the highways in Slovenia.
How to pay for your e-vignette?
E-vignette can be bought from the official website. The site accepts various payment methods including credit card, Visa, Google Pay as well as Paypal and American Express. The fee will depend on the type of vehicle you own and whether you are buying a weekly, monthly or yearly e-vignette. The most popular one is the monthly one, which allows you to drive from your chosen date.
If you are purchasing a vignette sticker, it needs to be clearly displayed on the inside of the front windscreen. However, electronic versions are now available. Highway cameras will automatically verify whether or not you paid for the toll.
Another important to note is that a separate toll charge applies for driving through the Karawanken Tunnel. Most people believe it is included in the vignette price but this is not the case.
What do I need to buy an e-vignette
The process of obtaining an e-vignette is quite straightforward. First, visit the official website. Then, enter, the registration number of your vehicle, the country of registration and choose the correct toll class for your vehicle. You will also need to select how long you want your e-vignette to be valid for. After you enter your billing details, you will receive your vignette registration number via email.
What is the fine for not paying motorway toll in Slovenia
If you don't pay the motorway toll in Slovenia, you may be subject to a fine. The penalty for not having an e-vignette can range from EUR 300 to EUR 800, not to mention the fee for the toll. This is reduced by 50% if you pay within 15 days. Failure to pay the fine can result in your vehicle's registration papers being confiscated.
Are there any free motorways in Slovenia?
The only route exempted from the e-vignette is the one from Austria to the Hrušica exit. Apart from the above, motorcycles, passenger cars and vehicles have to pay the toll when they enter or exit all highways and expressways. If you exit the motorway without paying the fee, you will be subjected to a fine as previously mentioned.
Is my vehicle exempted from e-vignette
A vignette is required for all vehicles with a maximum permissible mass (MPM) of over 3,500 kg and for vehicles registered outside of Slovenia that are not fitted with a device for the recording of the time spent driving in the country.
Bottom line
In order to drive on motorways and expressways in Slovenia, you must purchase an e-vignette. These can be bought online. The price of the e-vignette depends on the vehicle category and the duration of validity. Remember, failure to have a vignette can land you in trouble and ruin your holiday.
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