Poland is switching to a new electronic system for paying road tolls as of October 1, 2021. The new system, called e-TOLL, will replace the existing viaTOLL system, and technical support for viaTOLL will be discontinued after September 30.
What is the e-TOLL system for paying road tolls in Poland
e-TOLL is an advanced solution developed and implemented by the Polish authorities to collect tolls for vehicles driven on toll road sections in Poland.
This new payment solution for the Poland Vignette Online relies on the global navigation satellite system to locate the haulier’s position.
Every user of a vehicle with a maximum authorized weight exceeding 3.5 tons can choose the most convenient method of sending location data to the system: through a free app installed on a mobile device; through an external location system factory-fitted in their vehicle (ELS); or using on-board units (OBU), which you can buy directly from us (SEE the devices HERE).
Vehicle types subject to road tolls in Poland
e-TOLL is mandatory for all motor vehicles and vehicle combinations with a maximum authorized weight of more than >3.5 tons and for buses (regardless of their maximum authorized weight).
In accordance with the Act of May 6, 2020 amending the Public Roads Act and certain other acts, electronic toll collection applies in Poland on motorways and selected national roads.
e-TOLL is mandatory for drivers of the following vehicles:
About GPS devices
To activate electronic toll collection in the e-TOLL system for paying the Poland vignette, you have several options:
- The e-TOLL PL mobile app
It can be downloaded for free from Google Play or the App Store.
The app lets you pay road tolls, top up and monitor your account balance, and fulfill the obligations of carriers of sensitive goods in the SENT-GEO system.
But this Poland vignette payment solution has several drawbacks. It requires drivers to maintain a permanent connection to the e-TOLL system, which means constant battery and data consumption. If the signal is interrupted, drivers may receive fines from the Polish toll authority.
- ELS (External Location System)
Vehicles can also connect to e-TOLL through an ELS installed in the vehicle. These solutions must be purchased and installed through third-party companies and usually require a subscription fee for their services.
- OBU (On-Board Unit)
An on-board unit (OBU) approved by the Polish toll authorities can also connect to the e-TOLL system. This solution is also the most cost-effective, as it comes with the lowest costs for transport companies. This Poland vignette solution also has the advantage of not requiring a mobile phone, which drivers might either forget to charge or accidentally switch off, resulting in fines.
Inspections and penalties for non-payment of the Poland vignette
Electronic toll payments in e-TOLL are enforced under the Public Roads Act of March 21, 1985. The Chief Inspector of Road Transport is authorized to check the validity of electronic road toll payments in Poland, in particular by inspecting a mobile device, an external GNSS location data transfer system or an on-board unit used in a vehicle, and to impose and collect fines.
If any violation of the electronic tolling provisions of the Public Roads Act is discovered through an inspection, the Chief Inspector of Road Transport imposes an administrative fine on the owner, holder or user of the vehicle, or on another road user who is not the owner, holder or user of the vehicle. Such a fine for non-payment of road tolls in Poland may also be imposed on the driver of the vehicle in the case of entering the wrong vehicle category in the OBU.
A violation subject to an administrative penalty under the Public Roads Act of March 21, 1985 is punishable by fines of between 500 and 1,500 zlotys (approximately 460 – 1,600 lei).
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Questions and Answers on Automatic Road Toll Payment in Poland
What is e-TOLL and what is it used for in Poland?
e-TOLL is Poland’s new electronic road toll system, which replaces the old viaTOLL system. The system allows automatic payment of tolls for driving on toll roads, without stopping at barriers or toll booths.
Which types of vehicles does it apply to?
The e-TOLL system is mandatory mainly for heavy vehicles – trucks and buses or any motor vehicle with a maximum authorized weight over 3.5 tons – and for the roads/sub-sections that are part of the toll network.
How do you pay the toll and what methods are available?
Payment can be made automatically through an on-board unit (OBU), an external location system (ELS) or the dedicated e-TOLL mobile app/service. Once the data is transmitted, the system automatically calculates the road toll.
What changes compared to the previous system (viaTOLL)?
Unlike viaTOLL, e-TOLL relies on GNSS/satellite technology to locate vehicles — there are no more physical barriers or toll booths, and toll collection is fully electronic.
What advantages does it offer drivers and companies?
Benefits include no stops at barriers or toll booths, automatic invoicing, accurate toll calculation based on the route traveled, shorter waiting times and a simplified administrative system.
What does the vehicle need in order to use the new payment system?
The vehicle must be registered in the new system and equipped with an approved on-board unit (OBU) or a compatible external location system (ELS) — these transmit the position data needed to calculate the toll.
Is payment through e-TOLL mandatory, or can I pay the toll manually at toll booths?
For the roads and vehicles subject to the new system, manual payment at toll booths is no longer accepted — the electronic system is mandatory after implementation.
How is the amount I have to pay determined?
The toll is calculated based on the distance traveled on toll roads, the vehicle category (weight, configuration) and sometimes the CO₂ emission class, according to the rules of the new toll system.
How do you receive proof of payment or an invoice when using the new toll system?
For post-paid accounts, the system issues a debit note at the end of the billing period; payment can be made online through the Online Customer Account or by bank transfer.
What happens if you are not registered in e-TOLL or don’t have the required equipment?
If you are not in the e-TOLL system or don’t have the required OBU/ELS/app, you will not be able to drive legally on the tolled roads — and you risk penalties, since manual payment is no longer accepted on the sections covered by e-TOLL.
