In short: In Hungary and Bulgaria, vehicles with a maximum authorized weight exceeding 3.5 tons pay road fees based on the actual distance traveled through the HU-GO and BG TOLL systems, respectively. Payment can be made either automatically through a on-board device (OBU) linked to a pre-charged account, or periodically through a route ticket in Hungary and a route card in Bulgaria. The OBU option eliminates the need for advance route planning, as the fees are charged for the exact segments traveled. The CargoToll-HU and CargoToll-BG services offered by CargoTrack cover the installation of the OBU, account management, and monitoring of the balance.
The company CargoTrack Solutions offers a range of customizable services, created specifically for carriers, such as: GPS monitoring and control, Fuel monitoring, financial and legal consulting services, a transport management system, as well as the Hu-GO service for automatic payment of road fees in Hungary, which we will focus on in this article.
Payment of road fees in Hungary and Bulgaria Does it seem like a long and complicated process to you?
Carriers that frequently transit countries like Hungary or Bulgaria often encounter the complicated system of paying road fees. Besides the fact that this problem consumes a lot of time, it requires buying fixed-route tickets and generates inflexibility, fines can rise to tens of thousands of euros per year. This is an aspect that brings with it a myriad of problems, such as increased operational costs and low efficiency.
Get rid of fines and leave the worry of paying the road tax in Hungary and Bulgaria to us! With the CargoToll-HU and CargoToll-BG services offered by CargoTrack, you automatically pay the road taxes, without having to plan the route in advance.
An efficient alternative to simplify the processes of carriers that transit through Hungary and Bulgaria, and eliminates the problem of buying fixed-route tickets from kiosks and changing routes in case of traffic jams.
Solving the problem in 3 steps:
- OBU device installed
One is installed OBU device, which records and transmits in real time the data related to the categories of roads traveled. Using these equipment, the planning of the route in advance is eliminated and the exact amount due for the roads traveled will be paid.
- Hu-GO account & BGTOLL
Accounts are created for these platforms where funds are pre-loaded, from which payments are automatically made based on the data transmitted by the OBU device.
- Your account is monitored 24/7
CargoTrack operators constantly check the status of your account and you will be notified when your balance falls below the threshold you have set, so that you don't have any unpleasant surprises.
- Our guarantee
As long as your account has the necessary amount for the transit and you have received a fine, we will pay it for you.
Contact CargoTrack Solutions now for the best GPS tracking solutions.
Frequently asked questions about automatic payment of road fees in Hungary and Bulgaria
Who has to pay the HU-GO road fee in Hungary?
The HU-GO fee applies to vehicles with a technically permissible maximum total weight of over 3.5 tons that travel on the toll network in Hungary. This category includes both commercial vehicles and buses exceeding this threshold, which are subsequently included in the system. The fee is based on distance traveled, not time, so it is not solved with a classic vignette. The obligation lies with the vehicle operator, who must ensure payment before entering the tollable road.
How is the road tax calculated for trucks in Hungary and Bulgaria?
In both countries, the toll is calculated per kilometer traveled, and the toll per kilometer depends on several parameters of the vehicle and the road. In Hungary, the HU-GO system takes into account the number of axles, the environmental category (emission class) and the road category. In Bulgaria, the BG TOLL uses the technically permissible maximum mass, the environmental category, the number of axles and the type of road: motorway, class I road or class II road. The updated official tariffs are published by the system administrators.
How long is the HU-GO route ticket valid in Hungary?
The route ticket (viszonylati jegy) is valid for 300 minutes from the moment of successful payment. The validity was extended from 120 to 300 minutes starting May 1, 2026, through an amendment to the Hungarian electronic charging system. The ticket is purchased online on hu-go.hu and entitles to a single trip on the route and with the vehicle parameters declared at the time of purchase. The route and the parameters declared cannot be modified later.
What is the route card in Bulgaria and how long is it valid for?
The route card is the BG TOLL alternative for vehicles over 3.5 tons that do not use a dashboard device or GPS. When purchasing, the departure point, the arrival point, and up to four intermediate points are declared, and the card is valid for 24 hours from activation. Registered users can purchase it up to seven days in advance, and non-registered users up to two days in advance. It can be obtained online at regional traffic administrations or at self-service terminals.
How does the automatic payment of the road fee work through an OBU device?
The OBU device mounted on the vehicle records in real time the position and categories of roads traveled and transmits the data to the charging system. Based on this, the amount due is automatically calculated and deducted from the HU-GO or BG TOLL account previously charged. The main advantage is that there is no longer a need for route planning in advance: if the route changes due to a blockage or a rerouting, the actual distance traveled is paid for exactly.
What risks arise if a truck drives without the road tax being paid?
Traffic on a toll section without a valid usage permit is sanctioned in both countries, and the control is done automatically through fixed and mobile cameras and traffic control teams. In Hungary, HU-GO offers a free alert function that notifies the user when the system detects unauthorized use of the road, precisely to allow the situation to be corrected. For a fleet that transits frequently, repeated fines can reach significant amounts in a year.
Why is OBU more advantageous than regular tickets for frequent transportation?
The route ticket requires declaration of the route before departure and is valid for a single journey, for an uninterrupted journey within a limited time period. Any deviation, delay or change in route means that the authorization no longer covers the actual route. With the OBU, the charging system tracks the actual journey without prior planning and without stops at kiosks or gas stations. For fleets that frequently transit through Hungary and Bulgaria, this reduces the administrative time and exposure to penalties.
