In short: TollRo went live on October 1, 2026, 00:00, the date from which rates apply under Law no. 226/2023, as amended by Law no. 103/2026. From the same date, rovinietas for freight vehicles over 3.5 tons are no longer valid, even if bought for a longer period. The original deadline, January 1, 2026, had been postponed to prepare the infrastructure, and Law no. 170/2026 moved the infrastructure implementation deadline up to August 31, 2026, to meet a PNRR (Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan) milestone, while rates still applied from October 1, 2026. The new road toll applies to freight vehicles over 3.5 tons and is calculated based on distance traveled, MTMA, Euro emission class and road type, with rates between 0.08 and 0.62 lei/km (VAT included) for combustion-engine vehicles and 0.02–0.12 lei/km for electric trucks (OMTI 959/2026). Payment is made with a route ticket (in the TollRo app, on etoll.ro, at the points of sale of CNAIR, the Romanian road infrastructure company, or at border crossings) or with a charging session in the TollRo app, which the driver starts before departure and closes at the end, and, starting January 15, 2027, also automatically, via an on-board unit (OBU) from a CNAIR-authorized provider.
For the full picture – who pays, rates, payment methods, and what happens to the rovinieta – see the complete TollRo 2026 guide.
Watch out for two different dates. The TollRo system must be implemented by August 31, 2026 (Law no. 170/2026, art. 12), but the rates actually apply from October 1, 2026, both for TollRo and for the rovinieta (Law no. 226/2023, art. 29). Interoperability with the systems of other EU countries, via SETRE (the European Electronic Toll Service), becomes operational on January 15, 2027.
Many hauliers wonder when TollRo takes effect, and the official implementation date is in 2026. Paying road tolls is routine for hauliers running trips across the EU, but in Romania, until recently, we had only one universal toll: the rovinieta (Romanian road vignette). Things changed on October 1, 2026, when TollRo began to apply.
TollRo refers to a toll for freight vehicles over 3.5 tons, calculated based on distance traveled on Romanian roads, MTMA, Euro emission class and road type.
When TollRo 2026 Takes Effect
TollRo has applied since October 1, 2026, at 00:00; the infrastructure implementation deadline was August 31, 2026.
Since October 1, 2026, drivers have been buying route tickets (in the TollRo app, on etoll.ro, at CNAIR points of sale or at border crossings) or starting the charging session in the TollRo app. Starting January 15, 2027, the easiest and most convenient method will be payment via automatic tolling devices installed in the vehicle: as in other European countries, the new road toll will also be payable via on-board units (OBU) from CNAIR-authorized providers. A GPS fleet tracking device does not pay TollRo.
The TollRo implementation date was originally January 1, 2026, but it was postponed to allow extra time to prepare the infrastructure needed for the switch to the new toll.
Now that you know when TollRo takes effect and what the implementation stages of this system are, you can prepare in advance for the new rules and obligations affecting road transport in Romania.
Want to pay TollRo automatically?
Automatic payment with an on-board unit will be possible from January 15, 2027, through CNAIR-authorized providers. The CargoTrack solution is in the works and is not yet available. Join the waiting list and we’ll let you know when it launches.
What Happens to Rovinieta Passes on October 1, 2026
Rovinieta passes already purchased remain valid until the date shown on them for vehicles that stay in the rovinieta system:
- Cars – regular cars, with a maximum of 8 seats plus the driver;
- Minibuses – passenger vehicles with 10 to 23 seats, including the driver;
- Coaches – buses and coaches with more than 23 seats;
- Goods vehicles up to 3.5 tons.
For goods vehicles over 3.5 tons, the rovinieta is no longer valid from October 1, 2026, even if it was bought for a longer period. From that date, they are charged exclusively through TollRo, based on kilometers traveled. This provision is set by Law no. 226/2023, as amended by Law no. 103/2026. The value of the unused period is refunded only upon request, exclusively through the refund app that CNAIR will make available by December 29, 2026 (CNAIR press release of October 6, 2026); details in rovinieta refund guide.
Getting Ready for TollRo 2026
There are a few things you can do across your fleet to make the transition easier:
- Check how many vehicles in your fleet fall under TollRo 2026 – if you have a truck fleet, it's clear: all freight vehicles over 3.5 tons move to the new tolling system; but if you have several types of vehicles, keep in mind that only freight vehicles over 3.5 tons are charged through TollRo; minibuses, buses and coaches stay on the rovinieta.
- Choosing a payment method – depending on how many trips you run within the country, it's important to choose the right option for your fleet. For fleets with frequent trips, the simplest solution will be the automatic tolling device, which can be used for TollRo from January 15, 2027. Until then, you can use the charging session in the TollRo app: you top up the e-wallet, and the driver starts the session before each trip and closes it at the end. The route is recorded using the phone's GPS, which must have location and internet turned on.
- Equipping your vehicles – if you want to pay tolls automatically with a tolling device, get informed early; until January 15, 2027, however, an installed device does not pay TollRo, so you can avoid fines only with a route ticket or an active session in the app.
- Training drivers and dispatchers – if you run trips in other European countries, the transition is easier. You're probably already used to topping up accounts to pay road tolls or buying tickets. But if you only run domestic trips, it's important to discuss the new rules with your team: who buys the ticket, who starts and closes the charging session, what happens if the phone stops transmitting its position, how declared routes are managed — all of this needs to be clarified procedurally.
Even though TollRo already applies, a clear fleet procedure makes the difference between trouble-free trips and unwanted fines.
The better you know your fleet and payment options, the more easily you'll adapt to the new system. And if you want to know when on-board unit payment will be available (from January 15, 2027), join the CargoTrack waiting list above.
Frequently Asked Questions About When TollRo 2026 Takes Effect
What role does TollRo play in Romania’s road tax landscape?
TollRo is the new distance-based road toll introduced in Romania for goods vehicles with a weight over 3.5 tons, taking over the role of the rovinieta for heavy and commercial transport.
When does TollRo take effect?
The TollRo toll has applied since October 1, 2026, at 00:00.
Which vehicle category does the TollRo toll cover?
The TollRo toll targets vehicles designed for freight transport with a maximum authorized weight (MTMA) above 3.5 tons traveling on the road network managed by CNAIR, as well as mixed-use vehicles treated as such. Minibuses, buses and coaches do not pay TollRo, regardless of weight: they pay the rovinieta.
Which vehicles are actually required to pay TollRo?
Payment is mandatory for:
- Category I — freight vehicles with an MTMA above 3.5 tons and up to 7.5 tons
- Category II — freight vehicles with an MTMA above 7.5 tons and under 12 tons
- Category III — freight vehicles with an MTMA of 12 tons or more (including tractor units with semi-trailers)
- Mixed-use vehicles (passengers and freight), treated as freight vehicles
Minibuses, buses and coaches do not pay TollRo, regardless of weight: they pay the rovinieta.
Are passenger cars included in the TollRo system?
No, passenger cars are not part of the TollRo system. Car owners continue to pay the rovinieta under existing regulations.
What is the TollRo toll amount based on?
The TollRo amount is set based on the distance traveled on the road network included in the system, MTMA, Euro emission class and road type (highway/expressway or national road).
What are the TollRo rates per kilometer?
For combustion-engine vehicles, the rate ranges from 0.08 to 0.62 lei/km (VAT included), depending on weight category, Euro emission class and road type. Since October 8, 2026 (OMTI 959/2026), electric trucks have separate rates of 0.02–0.12 lei/km. Rates for combustion-engine vehicles:
- 3.5–7.5 tons: 0.08–0.11 lei/km on national roads / 0.17–0.22 lei/km on highways and expressways
- 7.5–12 tons: 0.14–0.19 lei/km on national roads / 0.29–0.37 lei/km on highways
- Over 12 tons: 0.24–0.31 lei/km on national roads / 0.48–0.62 lei/km on highways
Electric trucks pay the least, followed by Euro VI; Euro III–0 pay the most.
How exactly does TollRo differ from the rovinieta?
The rovinieta is a flat-rate charge bought for a fixed period (1 day, 10 days, 30 days, 60 days or 12 months), unrelated to the number of kilometers traveled, and applies to cars, minibuses and coaches regardless of weight, as well as to freight vehicles up to 3.5 tons. TollRo introduces charging proportional to distance traveled, based on MTMA, Euro emission class and road type, and applies exclusively to freight vehicles over 3.5 tons.
What are the ways to pay TollRo?
Until January 15, 2027, there are two payment methods; from January 15, 2027, payment via on-board unit is added:
- Route ticket — bought before the trip in the TollRo app, on etoll.ro, at CNAIR points of sale or at border crossings
- Charging session in the TollRo app — per kilometer, using the phone's GPS; the driver starts it before departure and closes it at the end, and the toll is deducted from the e-wallet
- From January 15, 2027: a contract with a CNAIR-authorized provider — automatic payment via on-board unit, recommended for hauliers with frequent trips
Is a route ticket enough to drive legally under TollRo?
Yes, Route ticket ensures legal compliance for the declared route and is recommended for occasional hauliers or those who rarely transit Romania. The ticket is bought in the TollRo app, on etoll.ro, at CNAIR points of sale or at border crossings and is valid for 72 hours from the declared start time, for a single trip on the chosen route.
Can TollRo be paid without any manual input from the driver?
Not yet. Until January 15, 2027, the driver buys a route ticket or starts and closes the charging session in the TollRo app. From January 15, 2027, the toll can be recorded and paid automatically through an on-board unit from a CNAIR-authorized provider.
What are the legal consequences of not paying the TollRo toll?
Anyone driving without paying owes the toll: TollRo for the kilometers traveled, if the distance can be determined, or 2,000 lei, once per 12-hour period, if it cannot. If the amount owed is paid on time, no penalties apply; the deadline is 72 hours from receipt of the notification letter. Otherwise, the fine is 10 to 20 times the TollRo owed or, if the distance cannot be determined, 5,000 lei (Law no. 226/2023, Art. 19). Fines have applied since October 1, 2026. A bill that would suspend fines until March 31, 2027 was submitted to the Senate but was not adopted. Exception: you are not penalized if you could not pay because of a platform failure and you tried before departure.
Does the TollRo network include national roads, not just highways?
Yes, TollRo applies on all three road types in the CNAIR network: national roads, expressways and highways, except for national road sections within city limits.
Are expressways also subject to the TollRo toll?
Yes, expressways are included in the TollRo toll road network, along with national roads and highways.
What is MTMA and what role does it play in the TollRo system?
MTMA (maximum authorized weight) is the maximum legal weight of a vehicle when fully loaded — including the vehicle itself, the cargo, the fuel, and the passengers — as entered by the manufacturer in the registration certificate. In the TollRo system, the MTMA value determines the rate category the vehicle falls into.
Why does the Euro class matter when you calculate the TollRo toll?
Because the Euro emission class determines the rate level. The rate has four emission tiers: electric vehicles (the lowest), Euro VI, Euro V–IV and Euro III–0 (the highest). For example, for category III on highways: 0.12 / 0.48 / 0.55 / 0.62 lei/km.
Is it true that the rovinieta was eliminated for trucks with TollRo?
Yes, with the launch of the TollRo system on October 1, 2026, the rovinieta is no longer mandatory for goods vehicles over 3.5 tons, and TollRo becomes the only road toll that applies to them.
Does TollRo have a counterpart among Europe’s toll systems?
Yes, the closest equivalent is HU-GO in Hungary — both systems charge hauliers per kilometer traveled, differentiated by vehicle category and Euro emission class, with payment via route ticket or OBU. HU-GO has been running in Hungary for several years, while TollRo has applied in Romania since October 1, 2026, for now via route ticket or charging session in the app; OBU payment will be possible from January 15, 2027.
Which legal authority administers TollRo?
The legal authority responsible for administering, issuing, and collecting the TollRo toll is CNAIR — the National Company for Road Infrastructure Administration, in accordance with Law no. 226/2023.
Is TollRo a permanent change in how heavy transport is charged?
Yes, TollRo permanently replaces the rovinieta for goods vehicles over 3.5 tons, introducing a modern charging system based on the “pay as you use” principle, operational from October 1, 2026.
