French toll class for motorhomes: class 2 or class 3?
Three questions, and you know what you will pay.
Step 1 of 3: your vehicle
Which vehicle do you have?
The shape of the roof matters more than the length: an overcab is often taller than 3 m, the class 2 limit.
Towing a caravan? Toll class of a car and caravan
In short
At French tolls, a motorhome or campervan is class 2 if it is more than 2 m and less than 3 m high, with a maximum authorised mass of 3.5 t or less. It becomes class 3 from 3 m or above 3.5 t (class 4 with 3 axles). Air conditioning and satellite dishes do not count in the official height, but they can fool the sensors. Class 2 costs about 50 to 65% more than a car.
· Official sources (in French) : Vehicle classes (Vinci Autoroutes), ASFA class grid (2022), Ministerial answer on harmonised classes (French National Assembly)
How is the class worked out?
French motorway companies all apply the same grid, set by their association, ASFA. Three criteria count: total height, maximum authorised mass and the number of axles on the ground.
For an outfit, the height used is that of the taller element (usually the caravan) and the maximum authorised mass of the car alone. Height is measured without load and without roof accessories.
Trip prices are the official rates from 1 February 2026, taken from the motorway companies' grids. Depending on the company, class 2 costs 1.50 to 1.56 times the car rate (tariff orders of January 2026).
| Class | Height | Max. authorised mass | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 2 m or less | 3.5 t or less | Car, low campervan, car + small caravan |
| Class 2 | Between 2 and 3 m | 3.5 t or less | Most motorhomes and caravan outfits |
| Class 3 | 3 m or more | or over 3.5 t | Tall overcab, heavy 2-axle motorhome |
| Class 4 | 3 m or more | or over 3.5 t | Outfit of 3 m or more, 3-axle motorhome |
Tip: use an electronic toll tag
With a French electronic toll tag (télépéage badge), the class registered on your account is the reference: if the sensors get it wrong, you dispute it online without being stuck at the barrier. Without a tag, use a lane with an intercom and state your class before paying.
Three motorhomes, three results
2.60 m campervan + satellite dish
A 2.60 m campervan with a satellite dish: officially class 2, and the sensors see 2.80 m. No risk, it stays under 3 m.
2.90 m low-profile + air con
A 2.90 m low-profile motorhome with a roof air conditioner: officially class 2, but 3.15 m for the sensors. Risk of being charged class 3, which is €36.70 more on Paris–Lyon.
3.10 m overcab
A 3.10 m overcab motorhome: class 3, even with nothing on the roof. On Paris–Lyon, expect €101 instead of €41.30 by car.
Frequently asked questions
Is a motorhome class 2 or class 3 at French tolls?
Class 2 if it is more than 2 m and less than 3 m high and its maximum authorised mass (MAM) is 3.5 t or less. It becomes class 3 from 3 m high or above 3.5 t, and class 4 with 3 axles.
Can a campervan stay in class 1?
Yes, if it is 2 m high or less and does not exceed 3.5 t: some pop-top vans qualify with the roof down. Above 2 m, it is class 2.
Why are overcab motorhomes often class 3?
The overcab, the bed above the driver's cab, often takes the vehicle above 3 m. From that height, the motorhome pays the lorry rate, even under 3.5 t.
Do the air conditioner or satellite dish count in the height?
Not under the official rule, which measures height without accessories. But the sensors at toll plazas can see them and overclass you. Keep your registration document handy to dispute it.
My motorhome weighs more than 3.5 t: which class?
Class 3 with 2 axles, class 4 with 3, whatever its height. What counts is the maximum authorised mass on the registration document, not the actual weight.
How much more does class 2 cost than class 1?
About 50 to 65% more depending on the trip. On Paris–Lyon, expect €64.30 in class 2 against €41.30 by car.
What should I do if I am charged the wrong class?
At a barrier, press the intercom before paying. With an electronic toll tag, report the error from your customer account: the overpayment is refunded on a later bill.
Official sources (in French) (3)
Indicative result with no legal value. Prices are the official rates from 1 February 2026, taken from the motorway companies' grids; only the motorway company's figure is binding.
Prices trip by trip
Paris–Lyon, Lyon–Marseille, Paris–Bordeaux… Official 2026 prices for classes 1 to 4 on 11 major trips, and the rules of each motorway company.
See toll prices →