Technical Questions << Back
How does ROAD-BOX work?
Your badge is automatically detected and read by an antenna on entering and exiting the toll: the light goes green and the barrier is lifted.
If you use a manned toll booth: take a ticket on entering the toll and on exiting simply hand your ticket and your badge to the toll collector who will register your journey
Is it complicated to install the badge?
No, the badge is quick and easy to install (no need for the vehicle to be taken off the road). Simply affix the holder provided to the windscreen and then insert the badge into the holder.
Is the badge compatible with an athermic windscreen?
In this case, the badge should be fitted to the gap at the edge of the windscreen (in the area designed by the manufacturer for this purpose). If necessary, refer to the handbook for your vehicle which will give details of the recommended location
Which toll booths should be used?
On entering the toll facilities, use a lane marked ( ) or (+ another logo) (no size restrictions) or else ( ).
On exiting, use lanes marked () or (+ another logo) (no size restrictions) or ( )(reserved for class 4 HGVs).
Will there be instances when the barrier stays down?
If you are speeding or if your badge is poorly positioned, the barrier may stay down.
What should I do if my badge malfunctions?
In case of malfunction of the badge at the entry toll booth, simply pass on a manual lane (marked by ()) to take a ticket and to present it in the exist with the badge to a toll attendant (lanes marked by ( ) or ( ). If the badge is not recognised only in the exit, simply use the lane marked by   ) or ( ), ask the toll attendant to scan the badge and reset the correct entrance toll booth on the badge. The discounts should be applied as if the badge had been used automatically.
What is the purpose of the barcode label affixed to the badge?
This label is important as it contains the information needed for your journey to be registered when using manned toll booths (vehicle registration number, badge expiry date, and the code required for manual transactions and unit reference numbers).
What information is encoded in the badge?
The badges contain information which enables your vehicle to be identified by the toll facilities:
- Customer number
- Badge number
- Contract information (expiry date etc.)
- Vehicle information (registration number, Euro standard class, vehicle specifications)
As vehicles flow through the toll facilities, this information enables toll fees and discounts to be calculated automatically and these are then consolidated into a single invoice.
What is the service life of a badge?
Your badge has a limited lifespan of 5 years (the service life of the battery). Its expiry date depends on when it was manufactured. It can be renewed automatically no more than 1 month before this expiry date, at no extra cost.
Will a badge still work if it has been dropped in water?
The badge is not waterproof so it is highly likely that it will be damaged in this case
It is necessary to stop the vehicle when using the toll?
For obvious safety reasons, you must stop the vehicle briefly as you go through the toll using ROAD-BOX, as pedestrians may be using the walkways.
Practical Questions
Can badges be ordered by a company for their subcontractors' vehicles? And can they be ordered for hired vehicles?
Yes. The badge is allocated to a single vehicle and the discounts are calculated for that badge. Each time the person hiring the vehicle or the subcontractor changes vehicle, they must reset the badge or use badges which are not allocated and which are not therefore eligible for discounts.
Could there be multiple badges suppliers?
There is currently nothing to prohibit this. However, it is easier and more convenient to have a single provider managing your account.
If one of our vehicles is off the road for more than 3 months is it possible to reallocate its badge to another vehicle?
it is not permitted to use a single badge for more than one vehicle. To allocate a badge to another vehicle to benefit from the discounts, the badge must be reset. There is a charge for this customised service.
Can you still pass through the toll facilities if you have forgotten the badge?
Certainly - simply choose another method of payment (oil company card, credit card, cash etc.). These journeys will not be included when calculating discounts.
In exceptional cases, if you do not wish to pay using the badge, how can you ensure that there has been no ROAD-BOX transaction?
When not using the ROAD-BOX badge, you are recommended to store it in its plastic envelope to protect it against interference (plastic envelope provided with the badge). In this way, the badge will not be detected as you pass through the toll facilities.
Currently there is a fixed tariff for HGVs at all times.
Can a badge be registered for a vehicle with an interim registration plate?
Yes, but you must return your badges to be customised once the vehicle is granted its permanent registration plate.
What should I do if badges are lost, stolen or malfunction?
In the event that a badge is lost or stolen, it must be cancelled immediately. In all cases, you must report the loss or theft to your supplier who will replace the badge.
What is the process for reallocating badge units?
The badge unit must be sent back and it will be returned to you once it has been reprogrammed. If necessary, you may request blank badges but these will not be allocated to a specific registration plate and will not be eligible for discounts.
It is necessary to stop the vehicle when using the toll?
For obvious safety reasons, you must stop the vehicle briefly as you go through the toll using ROAD-BOX, as pedestrians may be using the walkways.
What should I do if my badge malfunctions?
In case of malfunction of the badge at the entry toll booth, simply pass on a manual lane (marked by ( )) to take a ticket and to present it in the exist with the badge to a toll attendant (lanes marked by (  ) or ( ). If the badge is not recognised only in the exit, simply use the lane marked by   ) or ( ), ask the toll attendant to scan the badge and reset the correct entrance toll booth on the badge. The discounts should be applied as if the badge had been used automatically.
What should I do if a badge is "blacklisted" despite having paid the ROAD-BOX bill?
This problem can occur after incorrect writing to the badge (particularly after having travelled in Spain with the ROAD-BOX badge outside its plastic envelop). In this case, contact your supplier to find out the process to follow.
When you go to Spain or another country (and in particular use automatic tolls), remember to store the ROAD-BOX badge in the grey envelop supplied with the badge. This envelop is an anti-interference protective envelop.
If the driver is stuck at the toll, he will have to pay using an alternative payment method (cash, credit card). If the badge is confiscated, the driver must ask the toll attendant for “A WITHDRAWAL CERTIFICATE”.
What is the process when a class 4 registered vehicle is driving for a particular reason as class 3 (2 axle truck or tractor with no trailer)?
When entering the motorway, the driver should use the automatic toll lane. However, when exiting, he should use a mixed lane (indicated by ((  ) or ( )), so that the toll attendant can correct the vehicle class for this journey. Exiting via an automatic toll lane (indicated by ( )) will be invoiced on the class 4 tariff.
Should a toll attendant be able to confiscate a badge?
If the badge is defective, the toll attendant may want to keep it. As far as is possible, the driver must insist it is returned. All badge replacements will be charged, except in the case of a faulty badge. If the toll attendant takes the badge, you will be charged, then later reimbursed once the badge is returned to the supplier.
How can I change an incorrect Euro standard reference when ordering the badge?
Any change concerning the vehicle relating to the badge (registration, euro standard, vehicle class) requires the badge to be replaced. To avoid being without a badge, order a new badge with the new specifications as soon as possible and return the old one once you have received the new one. Note, if you do not return the old badge, you will be charged for the new one. Of course, you will continue to enjoy discounts with your new badge.
What are the various costs involved?
For each badge, there is a charge for badge set-up and badge hire and the motorway operators will charge a fee for managing the transactions.
How are the discounts calculated?
The "Eurovignette" European Directive sets a new framework for calculating discounts in Europe. These discounts are now:
- - calculated per vehicle rather than per fleet
- - calculated according to the Euro class of the vehicle
- - capped at 13% of the tariff, from 1st August 2008
A special discount rate will be applied per badge according to the turnover excluding taxes. Some motorway operating companies will grant discounts for fixed payments and will sometimes give additional discounts according to the vehicle Euro emission class.
What are the major differences in discounts offered by the various motorway operating companies?
There are several differences in the discounts offered by the various motorway operating companies:
- - The discounts may be systematic or optional
- - There may or may not be a charge for monthly subscription rights for each badge in circulation
- - The discount may take the form of a percentage of the discount according to the level or it may be a single percentage
- - Discount levels may be offered according to variable toll usage
- - Discounts may or may not be offered according to the vehicle Euro emission class
- - There may or may not be additional fleet discounts on offer
Is it possible to know the consumptions and discounts for each badge, toll, or motorway network etc.? Are the discounts calculated on a monthly basis?
Detailed information is available for each ROAD-BOX badge including dates, toll booths, total toll charges, discounts etc. The discounts are calculated monthly based on usage for the past month. The invoices detail the usage and discounts granted. You can also receive detailed information electronically, in addition to your invoices.
Is it possible to have badges for short periods, especially for business peaks?
Yes, but you will be charged for badge set-up and badge hire.
Are additional unallocated badges available? Are these badges also eligible for discounts?
Yes, unallocated badges are available. However, these unallocated badges will not be eligible for discounts.
Is there a charge for badge hire even if the badges are not used during the year?
Yes, there is a charge for badge hire, irrespective of badge use. Discounted subscription fees are offered on some networks, however, for all badges in circulation in the past month.
Can discounts change from one supplier to the next?
No, each motorway network has its own ROAD-BOX discount. Irrespective of the badge supplier, discounts are always the same, for all heavy goods vehicles, whether they are French or not. However, some suppliers may present discounts differently, by “adding” them. Exercise caution, as some discounts cannot be accumulated: discounts are calculated according to the overall consumption of the company, whereas other discounts are calculated according to the consumption of each individual badge.
How can I get the most discounts?
To benefit from the discounts, you must subscribe to the motorway discount schemes. some schemes are free, others are only accessible by paid subscription (monthly subscription per badge circulating on the network). In order to determine which schemes you should subscribe to, it is advisable to first research your patterns of use and consumption.
It is necessary to stop the vehicle when using the toll?
Certain discount schemes are automatic. You must join these. You can choose whether or not to subscribe to the others. Any changes will be taken into account in your future invoices.
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