Péage NotifUnpaid toll in France: fines and scam texts
Missing a gantry happens to everyone, and the law allows for it: as long as you act quickly, the extra cost stays at €10. Here is the exact timeline, how to dispute a notice, and how to spot the scam texts that play on this fear.
Legal texts checked on 21 October 2026.
The timeline, step by step
| When | What happens | What you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Within 72 hours of the crossing | You pay online, at a tobacconist or at a terminal. | The toll only |
| Deadline missed | The operator sends a payment notice by post to the registered keeper's address. | — |
| Within 15 days of the notice being sent | Reduced charge. | The toll + €10 |
| Within 2 months | Standard charge, or dispute. | The toll + €90 |
| After 2 months without paying or disputing | The notice goes to the public prosecutor, and an increased fixed fine is collected by the French Treasury. | €375 |
| 4 months later, still unpaid | For a French-registered vehicle, the registration can no longer be transferred: the vehicle cannot be sold. | — |
Only one notice per journey, even after several gantries: a journey means the same operator, the same direction, over 24 hours at most. Beyond five offences in twelve months, non-payment becomes a criminal offence punishable by a €7,500 fine.
Legal texts: French Code of Criminal Procedure, articles 529-6, R49-8-4-1 and R49-7; French Highway Code, articles R419-2 and L419-1.
How to dispute a payment notice
The notice includes a dispute card, to be returned within two months to the address shown, with your supporting documents. Three cases are provided for:
- The vehicle was lent or hired: include the name, address and driving licence number of the person driving, and the hire agreement if there is one.
- Theft, sale or cloned plates: include the police report receipt or the declaration of sale.
- Any other reason, for example a toll already paid: include your written explanation and proof of payment.
Keep the receipt of every online payment: it is your best proof. The dispute card is laid down by article A37-33 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure.
Scam toll texts: how to spot them
Text messages claim alleged unpaid tolls, with a link to a copy of an official website. They play on the fear of extra charges.
- A genuine notice arrives by post, at the registered keeper's address. Sanef, operator of the A13 and A14, states that it never asks for a toll by text.
- The link does not lead to the operator's website. In France, the only official websites are sanef.com (A4, A13, A14, A29, A131, A154) and paiement.aliae.com (A79).
- The tone is urgent: 'final reminder', 'surcharge today', a small amount to make you click.
- It asks for your bank card on a page opened from the text.
What to do
- Do not tap the link and do not reply.
- Check for yourself: type the official website address and enter your number plate. If no crossing appears, there is nothing to pay.
- If the text came to a French number, forward it to 33700, France's free number for reporting scam texts, then delete it.
- If you have already given your card details, call your bank to block the card.
Péage Notif will never ask you to pay and never sends texts: the app only shows you the official website where a free-flow toll is paid.
Elsewhere in Europe: the official websites
The same rule applies abroad: only pay on the operator's own website. Deadlines and addresses taken from the official websites, detailed in French free-flow tolls: how to pay online.
- Italy : apl.pedemontana.com, autoviapadana.it
- United Kingdom : gov.uk, merseyflow.co.uk, tfl.gov.uk, tt2.co.uk
- Ireland : eflow.ie
- Netherlands : e-tol.nl
- Portugal : pttolls.com
- Spain : bidegi.eus
- Norway : epass24.com
- Sweden : epass24.com
Frequently asked questions
How much does an unpaid free-flow toll cost in France?
The toll plus €10 if you pay the notice within fifteen days, plus €90 within two months. Without payment or dispute, an increased fixed fine of €375.
A text says I owe an unpaid toll: is it a scam?
Very probably. A genuine notice arrives by post. Check by entering your number plate on the official website, without using the link.
How do I dispute a French free-flow toll fine?
With the dispute card enclosed with the notice, returned within two months with your documents: vehicle lent or hired, theft or sale, or another reason such as a toll already paid.
My car was lent to someone: who pays?
The registered keeper remains liable, unless they name the person who was driving (French Highway Code, article L121-2).
What happens if I never pay?
After two months, the €375 fine is collected by the French Treasury, and for a French-registered vehicle the sale can then be blocked. Beyond five offences in twelve months, it becomes a criminal offence punishable by €7,500.
