In recent years, we have talked a lot about the introduction of tolls on Spanish roads. The latest election campaigns brought this possibility back into the public debate, first included in the Recovery and Resilience Plan sent to Brussels as a guarantee to receive the European Next Generation funds.
Although this is not something new and the installation of tolls had already been discussed before the delivery of the aforementioned European funds, the opposition has accused the Executive of wanting to implement payment for use in the coming years. The message has been denied time and again by the Government, but even Pere Navarro, director of the DGT, has acknowledged that this plan will be carried out at some point “because Brussels demands it of us”.
Whether they are implemented or not, a debate has been on the table for some time: who will have to pay and how. It seems that the maxim is that “Whoever pollutes more, pays more”and although there has been talk of possible exceptions or supposed annual cartoonsThe truth is that nothing is known.
If a system similar to that in Portugal is finally implemented, whereby one pays per kilometre travelled, it will be necessary to deploy a large infrastructure for controlling number plates and gates. In this case, it is necessary to have an electronic toll system or, on the contrary, to register on a platform to associate the number plate with a credit card and avoid fines.
A system that has been operating in the Basque Country for some time now.
This is how the A-636 works
This system has been operating for some time on the A-636 between Beasain and Bergara. Specifically since January 2022when drivers discovered that for every kilometre travelled, their bank account became smaller.
The most striking thing about this toll road is that it lacks the typical booths where you can pay (either by card or cash). Therefore, it is necessary to take some prior measures if we want to avoid a fine of 150 euros, since skipping a toll is included in the Revised Text of the Gipuzkoa Regional Road and Path Regulations as a minor infraction.
Therefore, if you regularly drive on this highway or we plan to travel on it this summer during our days off, it is important to know that we will need to have a toll collection device, such as a ViaT or the Get started (which has a discount if you make recurring trips on the road). If we do not have it, it is necessary to register in advance at this website.
The total length of the road is 15.5 kilometres, divided into three sections, and the full price is 2.53 euros for passenger cars and light vehicles, 4.11 euros for light trucks and 5.15 euros for trailers weighing more than 12 tonnes. This fee will be added to the electronic toll system we have or to the card we have associated with our licence plate.
If we have not registered, the owner of the vehicle will be notified at home with a letter specifying the amount owed. In addition, a 20% surcharge will be added for management costs. If we do not pay this amount within two months, the aforementioned penalty of 150 euros for non-payment will be applied.
At Aroged | The French have a trick to pay less tolls. It also exists in Spain, but its days are numbered
Photo | the way
*A previous version of this article was published in August 2024
