Summary: the tolls are the same cost that you would pay at the barrier.  This new service simply allows you to use the automated lanes saving you time and reducing the hassle of manually paying tolls in euros.

Monthly Active Service Fee

A monthly fee is payable for each calendar month that you actively use your tag on a toll road but only up to a maximum of €10 in a single year i.e. if you purchase a tag in June and then use your tag in July and August, you will be charged €10 (€5 for July and €5 for August) but you will not be charged a monthly active service fee for the remaining months up to and including the following May. A new 12 month period would start in June.

Toll Charges

All toll charges incurred.

Yearly Account Management fee

Once a year a fee of €6+ Local Tax

All fees and tolls will be collected by direct debit in £GBP. (the exchange rate used in outlined below)

Our operating costs are slightly different and subsequently so are our fees. In addition to this, the usage profile of UK customers is very different from those of local residents who obviously use their tags much more frequently.

The exchange rate that we use is the average for the calendar month the invoice is for. It is based on the average mid market commercial exchange rate (NOT the tourist rate) for the month that the tolls were incurred  The daily historic mid market rate used to compute the average are sourced from exchangerates.org.uk.

There is a 2%+Local Tax foreign exchange finance charge when converting the currency but the overall exchange rate is still very competitive.

An example is provided below using the French TVA rate and is based on rates obtained on 12th December 2013.

Local VAT (French VAT) is charged at 20.0% (prior to 01/01/2014 Local VAT was charged at a rate of 19.6%)
Exchange Rate £1 = €1.19
Foreign Exchange Finance Charge: 2%+Local VAT (equivalent to 2.4%)

Example invoice:

Total bill in Euros inc. Local VAT: €100
Total foreign exchange finance charge @ 2.4% inc. Local VAT: €2.4
Total bill in GBP (converted at £1 = €1.19): £86.05

This is more favourable than rates provided by a leading UK trusted brand on the same day:
M&S Travel Money (0% commission, £1 = €1.14): £87.72
M&S Visa Card (2.99% commission, £1 = €1.188779): £86.63

No. The only way of paying for the UK service is by direct debit from a UK bank account.

There is a one off charge for the tag (refundable), an initial admin charge to cover logistics and 3rd party fees, a low annual management fee of €6 plus a €5 charge every month that you use it in France, Spain or Portugal  (limited to a maximum of 10€ per year per tag). The exchange rate we get is better than the high street, so you might save a few pence on each toll payment.

It depends on where you start and finish! There is a toll calculator for all of France, Spain and Portugal (in English) here. This will enable you to input the start and the end of your route and automatically calculate the tolls.

We bill by calendar month.  Invoice notification emails are sent out by email around the 10th of the month and payment is collected on the last business day of the month.  For example if you subscribe in July, you will receive your first invoice on 10th August which will contain your setup fees, deposit and any tolls accrued in the month of July.  Payment will be taken from your bank account by direct debit on the last business day of August.

Orders received before 14:00 (Monday to Friday) will be shipped by Royal Mail 1st Class post on the same day so you should expect to receive your tag in 1 to 2 business days.  If you select 'guaranteed next day delivery' your tag will be received on the next working day (including Saturday for orders placed Friday). For orders placed after 2pm the order will be dispatch the next working day. The parcel is small enough to fit through your letter box and does not require a signature unless you selected guaranteed next day delivery which needs signing for or Royal Mail will leave a card and you can collect the package from your local sorting office within 7 days.

No.  For security reasons, we are only able to deliver the tags to your home address. The parcel is small enough to fit through your letter box and does not require a signature unless you selected guaranteed next day delivery that does need signing for.

If you need an additional tag to be payable from the same bank account e.g for additional family members, you need to sign up as normal. You will then be able to log into your 'My Account' page and there is an option to order an additional tag. There is a charge of €5+Local Tax per tag for 1st class postage and packing and also an additional €20 refundable deposit payable per tag. The charges for all your tags will be shown on your monthly invoice.

Your tag will be shipped with one clip. If you require additional clips, please go to your 'My Account' area to place the order and we will send you the additional clips at a cost of €2+Local Tax each including the First Class postage, the cost will be added to your next invoice. If you need some additional clips quickly there is also a guaranteed next day delivery option for an extra €10 + Local VAT

Additional clips can also be obtained from one of the Sanef points of sale in France. A single additional clip will normally be provided for free with additional clips at €2. The location of the Sanef points of sale can be found here. 

A limited supply of free clips are also held at the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle Folkestone Terminal behind the 'Customer Service desk'  

The tag must be visible from above in the centre-top of the windscreen so that it can be detected by the transponder by the barrier at the toll plaza. Please read these instructions prior to fixing the tag. The tag MUST be placed behind the rear view mirror on the shaded / mottled area. 

THIS IS CRITICAL FOR VEHICLES WITH ATHERMIC WINDSCREENS.

Some model of car may not have this shaded area.  If this is the case simply place the tag behind the rear view mirror as shown above.  All issues with athermic windscreens can be overcome by holding the tag out of the vehicle side window, this should only be done when stationary and right up to the barrier in the toll plaza lane.  

Equipment occupying all the mottled area?

Some vehicles are known to have equipment in the mottled area such as rain sensors or automatic emergency braking sensors.  E.g. Volvo XC60 / 90, some Mercedes.   

The mottled / shaded area behind the rear view mirror will be free of any heat reflective metallic coating that is sometimes applied to the glass in the factory to reflect the sun and keep the car interior cool on a hot day.  The tag must go in the mottled area as it is free of any heat reflective coating, so the signal to it is not blocked by the metallic coating on the glass. 

In situations like this please fix the tag on the clear windscreen glass next to the casing of the equipment that is occupying the mottled/shaded area.  

If you have a People Carrier / MPV or Van with a long windscreen please note: The tag needs to face forward towards the barrier, not upwards towards the sky.

N.B. If you have a motorhome with a "Luton" / overhanging sleeping compartment you MUST ensure that the Tag has "line of sight"  with the reader (i.e. can see the reader on top of the pole by the barrier). If you install the tag behind the rear vision mirror it may not be able to see the Tag reader and will not work - in this instance you have to put the tag at the bottom of the windscreen BUT ONLY if you do not have an athermic windscreen.  Or hold out of the side window when stopped in the toll plaza lane.

Vehicles known to have athermic windscreens are listed below but this list is not exhaustive so please check with your vehicle manufacturer before fitting your tag.

BMW: 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X3, X5

Bentley Continental
Citroen: Picasso, C5Xsara, Xantia
Ford: Galaxy, S-Max, Mondeo
Fiat: Multipla
Mercedes: W220-S Class, Vaneo
Peugeot: 206, 306, 307, 607
Renault: Traffic, Scenic, Espace, Megane, Safrane, Laguna, Clio, Master, Kangoo, Picasso Vauxhall: Zafira

No.  But if you have a new car with a metallic windscreen you need to fit the tag in the black spotted area under the rear vision mirror as this lets the signal through.

Yes, we will make sure your tag works before it is posted to you. The transponder that reads your tag is next to the barrier so please get right up to the barrier so your tag can be read.  When the tag arrives you will need to activate it in your 'My Account' area on our website by following the instructions provided with the tag before it can be used.

You should activate your tag on receipt in your 'My Account' area. 

You should approach the barrier at walking pace.  Once the transaction has completed, the tag will "beep", the traffic light will change to green and the barrier will open.  

On certain dedicated lanes you can drive through at up to 30 km/hr, these lanes are clearly signed as follows

France

In France Cars and trailers under 2m can use any lane showing the but you will find there is often a tag only lane on the left hand side of the plaza that will save you most time.

Motorbikes, Caravan and motorhome or vehicles between 2m and 3m tall and less than 3.5t, i.e. Class 2 or 5 should use ANY non height restricted lane that has the Liber-t symbol illuminated.

Spain and Portugal

Light vehicles (cars, car + caravan, motorbikes and motor homes up to 3.5 tonnes) can use any lane showing the VIA-T symbol in Spain or the Vía-Verde symbol in Portugal.

Sorry, no. 

The Emovis Tag UK Liber-t tag will work in France only.  

The Emovis Tag UK VIA-T tag will work in Spain and Portugal only.

Emovis Tag UK is a separate company to Emovis Operations Leeds who operate the Dartford crossing.

The contact details for Emovis Operations Leeds are correspondence@dartford-crossing-charge.service.gov.uk

Emovis Operations Leeds telephone number is 0300 300 0120

Liber-t tag (for France) - Yes! The Liber-t tag has no link to a particular vehicle. You can also lend it to your friends if you like, but please note: You are the account holder and are responsible for all tolls and fees incurred.

VIA-T tag (for Spain & Portugal) - In Spain, Yes! there is no link to a particular vehicle.  In Portugal on some 'free flow' tolling roads such as the A22 your vehicle registration is read as well as the tag when you drive under the overhead gantry. The VIA-T tag and vehicle registration number are linked in Portugal so if you swap the tag to another vehicle / registration number you must tell us this by entering the new vehicle registration number or removing the old registration number against your VIA-T tag in your 'My Account' area. Any tolls incurred before you update a registration number in your 'My Account' area would be your responsibility to pay. 

Sometimes the sheer volume of tag users means there is a bit of a queue on the way in to the toll plaza. However, the tag lane is always the fastest moving lane.

The battery in the tag is designed to last between 5 and 7 years depending on how often it is used and how it's looked after.  We recommend not leaving your tag in your vehicle when it's not in use, particularly over winter.  If your tag stops working, please contact us and we will send you a new one.

If your tag battery is shown as near expiry or expired in your 'My Account' area you should swap out your tag by selecting 'Order Additional Tag' and 'Return a Tag'. The tag is a sealed device and can not be opened to change the battery, just order an additional tag then return the old tag to receive the €20 deposit refund.  Take care to order the type of tag you require (Liber-t or VIA-T).

In France on certain dedicated class 1 Liber-t lanes there is a 2 metre height limit.  These are always on the left hand side of the toll plaza.  However there is always other lanes available for vehicles over 2 metres or class 5 (motorbikes), simply go though one of the other open lanes that is displaying the Liber-t  or VIA-T symbol.

France - Liber-t tag

Yes!  Provided your vehicle and caravan overall height is less than 3 metres and GVW of the towing vehicle does not exceeding 3.5 tonnes. You can use any non height restricted lane that has the Liber-t symbol illuminated.

Spain and Portugal  - VIA-T tag

Yes, you can use the VIA-T lane with a car + caravan

France - Liber-t tag

You can use a Liber-t tag with a car and be charged as a Class 1 vehicle with an overall height under 2 metres and GVW* not exceeding 3.5 tonnes, train with overall height under 2 metres and GVW* of towing vehicle not exceeding 3.5 tonnes. Cars with roof load such as roof boxes or bicycles are still Class 1 even though they may exceed 2m. Only Class 1 vehicles may use the height restricted lanes Class 1 vehicles may also use the non-height restricted lanes

Spain and Portugal - VIA-T tag

Yes you can use the VIA-T Lane

France - Liber-t tag

As long as your vehicle is no more than 3 metres in height and less than 3.5 tonnes GVW you can use any non height restricted lane that has the Liber-t  symbol illuminated. A vehicle of this size falls into the Class 2 fee structure. If your vehicle is larger than this then please contact our sister company Eurotoll.

Spain and Portugal - VIA-T tag

Providing your motorhome weighs less than 3.5 tonnes you can use the VIA-T lane

N.B. If you have a motorhome with a "luton" / overhanging sleeping compartment you MUST ensure that the Tag has "line of sight"  with the reader (i.e. can see the reader on top of the pole).  If you install the tag at the top of the windscreen behind the rear vision mirror it may not be able to see the Tag reader and will not work - in this instance you have to put the tag at the bottom of the windscreen BUT ONLY if you do not have an athermic windscreen.

France - Liber-t tag

When using the automated lane on a motorcycles just hold your tag up to the gantry or put it in your top jacket pocket, ensuring it is the correct way round as per the instructions it came with.   Take care that you are in the middle of the lane, right up to the barrier and no other vehicle or motorbikes are in the lane as the equipment in the automated lane may register you as a larger vehicle and charge for a car (class 1). There are a few roads with restrictions for motorbikes; A86 tunnel is forbidden for motorbikes, the Pont de Tancarville and the Pont de Normandie have specific motorbike lanes that must be used. You can check your transactions in the 'My Account' area a few days later.  If you are incorrectly charged you will need to request a toll adjustment.  You can only request a toll adjustment if you have used the non-height restricted Liber-t lane, all vehicles using the 2 meter (car only) height restricted lane will be classed as class 1 with no option to adjust this.  

Spain and Portugal - VIA-T tag

When using the VIA-T lane on a motorcycles just hold your tag up to the gantry or put it in your top jacket pocket, ensuring it is the correct way round as per the instructions it came with. Take care that you are in the middle of the lane, right up to the barrier and no other vehicle or motorbikes are in the lane.

Either :

1. Notify us through the contact form.
2. Phone us on 01423 299017

You are not responsible for any toll usage after you tell us your tag has been lost or stolen, so if this does happen please do not delay in telling us so we can place a block on the tag to prevent unauthorised usage.  

Tags do 273 million transactions a year in France alone – probably a billion around the world so we are confident it will. But if things do go wrong. Simply hand the tag to any of the operators in the toll booths – they will then charge it as if it worked, or tell you if you need to pay using an alternative payment method. You must activate your tag when it arrives at your address – it will not work unless you do this, just follow the simple instructions that are provided with or go to your 'My Account' area here.

We did some customer analysis and we found that only a small number of our customers drive in both France and Spain, most either drive to France by ferry or travel to Spain again by ferry or fly drive. Making one single tag work in both places would add cost to customers for a feature most wouldn’t need, so we went for 2 separate tags. 

We will monitor the number of people wanting both tags and welcome feedback as we may consider a change, but our key aim is to keep costs down for now.

France - Liber-t tag

It includes all the toll motorways in France (excluding the Mont Blanc and Fréjus tunnels). Although Sanef run the toll roads in northern France, the tag will work with every toll road across France. Sanef will simply send you one single bill for your entire trip.Click here for general information about the network, planning your trip, facilities, radio traffic news in English (107.7FM on the hour, every hour) and how Sanef put the customer first.  The Tag also works on any car park displaying the logo.

Spain and Portugal - VIA-T tag

All the motorways in Mainland Spain work with the VIA-T tag showing the VIA-T symbol.

All Portuguese toll roads showing the Vía-Verde symbol, This include the A22 in the Algarve. It is normal for the tag to not beep at every overhead gantry as you pass under them on the A22 free flow toll road providing the tag is fitted as per the instructions here.

Yes! There are free roads if you do not like smooth, high quality motorways and don’t mind arriving late for your ferry. The N138 is our favourite, but a section of that is shut in mid June so the Brits can race cars on it (Le Mans).

Liber-t tag (for France) - No, you do not need to notify us when you change vehicle. The tag works in any vehicle upto 3m in height and 3.5 tonnes.

VIA-T tag (for Spain and Portugal) - Yes, in Portugal on some roads such as the A22 it's 'free flow' tolling.  The tag and vehicle registration are read as you drive under the overhead gantry so if you change vehicles / registration number you must update this in your 'My Account' area. Vehicle registrations are not read in Spain, the tag works in any vehicle upto 3m in height and 3.5 tonnes.  

The data in our system can’t be used by law enforcement agencies for detecting excessive speed, but please do keep in mind that speeding is taken very seriously. French police patrols and radar traps employ heavy fines. The speed limit on French roads is 130kph (when it is dry - anyway) – a bit more than in the UK. The time you save with a tag means you won’t have to think about speeding, or the cost of missing the ferry.

We keep the identity of the user and the tag information as separate data – we cannot track your movements. We simply know when you pay for a toll. There is no record on the tag either.

France - Liber-t tag 

Yes.  Blue badge holders who have a Class 2 vehicle (not valid for car + caravan) are entitled to be charged at Class 1 rate if the vehicle is adapted for disabled persons.  However, in order to be charged at Class 1 rate in the automated lane, you will need to stop and press the intercom button to request the correct toll to be applied.  Alternatively you can use the manual lane and hand over your tag to be scanned. Please note the reduction is applied at the discretion of the particular auto route operator of the toll road you are using. More information can be found at here

Spain and Portugal - VIA-t tag

All vehicles using the VIA-T tag (cars, car + caravan, motorbikes and motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes.) are classed / charged at the same rate so a discount is not applicable. 

The service we offer is for consumers, not businesses.  Our advice to people wishing to use a Liber-t or VIA-T tag for business is to subscribe using a personal bank account and then claim back through your company's expenses process.

Simply download and complete this form and return it and your Sanef France tag to the specified address

Click here to access the list of French Car Parks that can be accessed with your Liber-t Tag.

Would you like a tag for Italy? We would like to register your interest, please send us an email here.