The toll for horse transporters in Germany

If a horse transporter with a total mass of more than 3.5 tons, with or without a trailer, drives on a toll road and is not registered as a motorhome, toll must be paid. A transporter with a total mass of less than 3.5 tons, with or without a trailer, is exempt from the toll.

It does not matter whether horses are being transported, something else is being transported, or it is an empty trip. The FN (German Equestrian Federation) has unfortunately not been able to secure a general toll exemption for horse transporters.

However, horse transporters that have a living compartment that makes up 50% of the area are exempt from the toll. The size of the living compartment is determined without the driver's cab or slide-outs. Determining the toll obligation for vehicle combinations can also be challenging. For example, a horse transporter with 50% living space may fall under the toll obligation again due to an additional trailer. Conversely, an attached caravan can lift the toll obligation for a combination. Therefore, it is important to carefully check how the horse transporter is used.

Many who transport 2 horses and choose powerful vehicles like the Böckmann Compact in the 4.25-ton variant with sufficient payload wonder how the toll is organized.

The amount of the toll depends on the emission class and varies between 15.1 and 24.8 cents per kilometer (i.e., 15.10 € or 24.80 € per 100 km). Normally, toll roads can be avoided, and good horse transporters provide a comfortable ride for the animals on country roads as well. However, it is advisable to decide individually whether to pay the toll for a potentially faster, shorter, or more comfortable journey.

With an annual mileage of about 5000 kilometers on toll roads, the toll for a transporter with a total mass of 4.25 tons would amount to between 1240 € (Euro 1) and 755 € (Euro 6) for a modern horse transporter.

There are two methods to pay the toll: either you use the Toll-Collect app or website to calculate and pay the toll in advance, or you install an On-Board Unit (OBU) that automatically records the toll. Information on both options is available here: Toll Collect | Kunden-Portal.

There are some exceptions in the Federal Trunk Road Toll Act (BFStrMG) for agricultural vehicles or vehicles used for a craft or a similar profession, see p. 17, §1 b) bb) No. 10. (Drucksache 20/8092 Gesetzentwurf der Bundesregierung Entwurf eines Dritten Gesetzes zur Änderung mautrechtlicher Vorschriften (bundestag.de).

These exceptions could be interesting, for example, for training stables but do not apply automatically and must be checked on a case-by-case basis. Toll-Collect GmbH can help if necessary.

Despite additional costs, it is important to comply with the maximum permissible total weight of the respective transporter to not jeopardize insurance coverage and – from our point of view, most importantly – to not compromise the safety of horse and rider.

If you have further questions about Böckmann Horse Trucks, the Truck Center is happy to help.