TollRo is the new Romanian electronic road tolling system for heavy commercial vehicles (GVW > 3.5 t). It is designed to charge road usage based on the distance traveled and the vehicle’s environmental performance, in line with European practices. It comes as part of the reform introduced through Law no. 226/2023 regarding the application of road charges on the national road network, which establishes the framework for charges based either on duration (rovinieta) or distance (TollRo).
TollRo versus the classic vignette (rovinieta)
The reform clearly separates the two instruments:
The vignette (rovinieta) is intended for light vehicles and certain vehicle categories up to 3.5 tons. It is applied based on duration (period of use) and emission class.
TollRo replaces the vignette for heavy commercial vehicles (mainly trucks or freight transport vehicles over 3.5 tons). It is calculated based on distance and the vehicle’s technical and environmental parameters.
This separation and the associated criteria are provided by Law 226/2023. The law introduces both the vignette (time-based usage fee) and TollRo (distance-based road toll).
Launch date and reason for postponement
Initially, the public timeline provided for the implementation of the electronic road tolling system (STRR) — the component that also includes TollRo — starting from January 1, 2026. However, in August 2025, the Romanian Government postponed the deadline by six months, meaning TollRo will become operational starting July 1, 2026.
The official reason for the postponement is delays in awarding the contract for the development and operation of the IT system, as well as the need to ensure safe implementation conditions.
How TollRo is calculated
The basic principle is the following: a unit tariff/kilometer applied according to the road category and the vehicle’s parameters, especially the maximum authorized total mass (GVW) and emission class. The final details (per-kilometer values, classes, and road categories) are established through an order issued by the Minister of Transport.
Across the EU, the trend is clear: the per-kilometer toll takes vehicle emissions into account. For example, Germany introduced CO₂ classes in 2023 that directly influence the per-kilometer tariff (LKW-Maut), a technical model Romania also references in aligning with EU directives.
How TollRo is paid (operational flow)
Law 226/2023 establishes the STRR (Electronic Road Tolling System) and the interoperable SETRE/SETRo framework: users (transport operators) will ensure payment through authorized providers (SETRo), using onboard equipment (OBE/GNSS) or a mobile application that collects and transmits route data for toll calculation. These elements (mobile app, OBE, SETRo provider) appear in the legal definitions and will be further detailed in secondary legislation and ministerial orders.
Penalties for non-payment
The framework for applying penalties is regulated by Law 226/2023 and related legislative acts. The mechanism provides:
Detection of non-payment through automated systems and notification of the vehicle owner by CNAIR, including the obligation to pay the due toll and administrative costs generated by the notification;
Contraventions and fines for non-payment of road tolls, supplemented/updated through recent governmental amendments to OG 43/1997.
Important: the exact penalty amounts and enforcement procedures will be reconfirmed through secondary regulations and ministerial orders (including tariff levels). Controls may be both automated (fixed/mobile systems) and on-site inspections.
How TollRo aligns with other European countries
This system is not a novelty, but Romania’s initiative to align with the European tolling standard:
Poland – e-TOLL: GNSS-based system, payment for heavy vehicles on national roads, mobile applications/OBU, in use since 2021 (replacing viaTOLL).
Hungary – HU-GO: distance-based tolling for vehicles >3.5 t on the main road network (motorways/highways), with routing and electronic accounts.
Germany – LKW-Maut: per-kilometer tariffs differentiated by CO₂ emission class, weight, and axles; a model that strongly introduced the climate dimension into pricing structures.
This convergence with the EU explains why TollRo focuses on emissions-based charging and interoperability (SETRo/EETS), allowing transport operators, ideally, to use a single device/contract across multiple countries.
Transport operator obligations
From an operator’s perspective, TollRo implementation introduces several concrete obligations:
Registering the fleet and vehicle data with an authorized SETRo provider (or directly through interfaces made available by CNAIR, if such options exist).
Equipping vehicles with a compatible OBE/GNSS device or activating the approved mobile application to transmit the data necessary for toll calculation.
Ensuring correct and timely payment, either through pre-pay accounts (advance top-ups) or post-pay systems (subsequent settlement), depending on the provider contract. (The model follows European e-TOLL/HU-GO practices.)
Maintaining records (trip reports, invoices, proof of payment) and updating vehicle technical data (EURO class, GVW, number of axles) — data that influences the toll.
Best practices for transport operators
Choose the SETRo provider/technical solution early
Test OBU/GNSS compatibility and integration with TMS/ERP systems so that route data and TollRo costs are automatically included in accounting and pricing calculations.
Maintain clean fleet data
Verify GVW, axle count, EURO class, and homologation documents — an incorrect classification may increase the per-kilometer tariff.
Monitor emissions and gradually renew the fleet
Countries like Germany introduced CO₂ classes that make routes more expensive for polluting vehicles; in the medium term, Romania is likely to calibrate tariffs similarly. A fleet renewal plan (e.g. transitioning to Euro 5/low-emission vehicles) is an investment with direct impact on TollRo costs.
Internal routing policies
Plan routes that avoid unnecessary detours and idle times on toll roads; route optimization remains the safest way to save costs.
Internal control & driver training
Clear rules regarding OBU and mobile app usage (activation/deactivation, GPS connection checks), plus procedures for invalid devices.
Budgeting and simulations
Build cost scenarios for frequent routes using assumptions regarding per-kilometer tariffs based on road categories and emission classes.
Periodic audits
Compare invoiced kilometers monthly against actual kilometers resulting from telematics solutions and correct errors (e.g. incorrect classifications, duplicate charges).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1) Does TollRo also apply to passenger cars?
No. For light vehicles (up to 3.5 t), the vignette (time-based toll) remains applicable. TollRo targets heavy vehicles.
2) Which parts of the road network are included in TollRo?
The SETRE Romania domain covers the national road network managed by CNAIR (except sections located within municipalities between entry/exit signs). Details will be provided through secondary regulations and official maps.
3) How do I know what toll I will pay on a route?
After publication of the per-kilometer tariffs by road category and vehicle class, SETRo providers and CNAIR will offer calculators to estimate costs. The mechanism follows European standards (e-TOLL/HU-GO, LKW-Maut).
4) What happens if I do not pay or reporting is incorrect?
CNAIR may automatically detect non-payment and notify the vehicle owner; the outstanding toll, administrative expenses, and fines according to the law may apply.
5) Why was the TollRo launch postponed?
To properly finalize the contracting and implementation of the IT system and avoid operational dysfunctions; the new implementation date is July 1, 2026.
TollRo represents a major change for commercial vehicles in Romania: the transition from a time-based fee to a distance-based toll differentiated according to vehicle characteristics and environmental impact — exactly as in Poland, Hungary, or Germany. Its implementation was postponed to July 1, 2026, giving operators time to choose providers, equip vehicles, and calibrate operational costs.
The key to success will be preparation in advance: clean data, compatible equipment, internal procedures, cost simulations, and a fleet renewal strategy that reduces TollRo expenses in the medium term.
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