BUCHAREST – Romania plans to introduce a kilometre-based toll for goods vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of more than 3.5 tonnes on 1 October 2026. The new system, TollRo, is intended to replace the current time-based road vignette for these vehicles. However, the launch date remains uncertain: Romania’s road infrastructure authority, CNAIR, has requested a postponement until 1 April 2027 because the system is still undergoing testing.
Under the current legal timetable, TollRo is due to take effect on 1 October. The new toll will apply to goods vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes and to vehicles designed for the combined transport of passengers and goods that are classified as goods vehicles for tolling purposes.
Toll based on distance travelled
Under the current system, transport companies purchase a vignette that remains valid for a specified period. The new toll, by contrast, will be calculated according to the distance actually travelled. The vehicle’s maximum authorised mass and Euro emissions class will also determine the amount payable.
TollRo will apply to the network of national roads, expressways and motorways managed by CNAIR. Certain sections of national roads within built-up areas will be exempt. A vignette system will remain in place for passenger cars and goods vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of up to and including 3.5 tonnes.
Road authority requests postponement until April 2027
Although CNAIR confirmed on 7 August that the new toll rates would apply from 1 October, the road authority has since requested a postponement. On 7 September, CNAIR submitted a formal request to Romania’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, with the Prime Minister also informed. The organisation announced this on 18 September.
CNAIR wants the introduction of TollRo and the revised vignette system to be postponed until 1 April 2027. According to the road authority, the system is still in the testing phase. CNAIR has also requested changes to the timetable for European interoperability and additional staff to operate the tolling system.
According to CNAIR, without a timely decision, transport companies could become legally obliged to pay the new toll from 1 October even though the technical infrastructure is not yet sufficiently ready.
Transport association calls for postponement or temporary suspension of penalties
Romanian transport association UNTRR has also objected to introducing the system on the currently scheduled date. On 23 September, the association called on parliament to postpone TollRo until 15 January 2027.
If the 1 October launch date is maintained, UNTRR wants penalties for breaches of the new tolling rules to be suspended for six months. The obligation to pay the toll would remain in force during that period.
According to the association, hauliers have not been given enough time to familiarise themselves with the system and register their vehicles correctly before the toll takes effect.
European toll interoperability planned for January 2027
Romanian authorities had previously announced that the new electronic tolling system should become interoperable with comparable systems in other EU member states through the European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) from 15 January 2027.
CNAIR has now also requested an adjustment to this timetable if the introduction of TollRo is postponed.
For transport companies operating in Romania, 1 October remains the legally scheduled start date for the time being. Whether the kilometre-based toll will actually take effect on that date depends on the decision regarding the requested postponement.
