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Parliamentary question - P-014123/2013Parliamentary question
P-014123/2013

Motorway toll disc (vignette) in Germany

Question for written answer P-014123-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Saïd El Khadraoui (S&D)

The government coalition agreement in Germany between the CDU/CSU and the SPD provides for the introduction of a motorway toll disc (‘vignette’) for private cars. This system is due to enter into force as early as next year. For cars registered in Germany this is to go hand in hand with a cut in road tax, so that the new system will not cost drivers any more than at present. Foreign drivers will also have to purchase a vignette. However, it is not yet clear exactly how this system will work in practice.

Unlike for goods vehicles of more than 3.5 tonnes, there is no specific European legislation in this area that applies to private cars. Accordingly, only the general principles of the Treaty apply, namely non-discrimination and the proportionality principle. In 2012 the Commission published a communication stating that there was a risk of discrimination for occasional users, principally road users from other Member States, who do not have the option of buying short-term vignettes, or only at a daily rate significantly higher than that of the annual vignette which will be used mainly by German road users. It considers that this could be regarded as disproportionate.

1. Has the Commission now received or requested more information about the system shortly to be introduced by the German Government? If so, can it please pass on this information?

2. If the introduction of the vignette is be accompanied by a reduction in road tax, so that it does not lead to any higher taxation burden for German cars, while foreigners do have to pay more, would the Commission regard this as a form of indirect discrimination on the grounds of nationality?

3. Will the Commission see to it that short-term weekly or even daily vignettes are available at a reasonable price?

4. Does the Commission intend to propose legislation in the near future concerning a smart per-kilometre levy for goods vehicles? If so, when?

OJ C 268, 14/08/2014