TV badges can sometimes be a source problems on the highway, especially on new free flow tolls.
Several highways went into full free flow during 2024. This is the case with the A13, the A14 and the A79 which had previously experienced this new payment system on a few sections. If you are traveling today on these fast ways, you no longer need to stop at toll barriers. While waiting to dismantle them completely, deviations have been temporarily shaped in order to bypass them.
This does not mean that these highways have become free, but their payment method has evolved. Porticos equipped with sensors and cameras are able to detect the passage of each vehicle and obligation is made to motorists to adjust the bill within 72 hours of their journey.
Faced with this change, and despite the time saved thanks to this new system – we are talking about 30 minutes between Paris and Caen on the A13 – many drivers have raised their voice. Many were surprised to receive fines after their visit to the highway, most of the time because they had not been well informed of the change in payment method. But you can also understand it and still have received a PV a few days later. This misadventure can arrive at all owners of telepalo badges …
For motorists with badges, the transition to free flow has not changed much. Payment is identical, namely that a direct debit is made on their account after each passage on a paid highway. Except that a problem that can be encountered in traditional tolls can have more serious consequences since the barriers are dematerialized!
The small electronic telepal case thus has an estimated lifespan at 6 or 7 years. When it no longer works – because of the battery that should not be changed yourself – no more signal is detected. If you arrive in front of a barrier, she will not get up. You will be good to press the emergency button and contact a toll agent.
The situation is embarrassing but without consequences. It can be more problematic if the problem occurs on a free flow highway! If your badge is disabled, it will not be detected during your passages under the gantry. Thinking in good standing, no reason to go and pay your journey on the site of the motorway company or at the tobacco office within 72 hours. The cameras will have raised the license plate of your vehicle well and the ticket will not take long to arrive at your home.
No need to challenge it, your good faith will not be sufficient because it is up to motorists to have equipment that works. The fine for non-payment of the toll is 10 euros if we pay within 10 days, amount to which must be added the price of the journey. It amounts to 90 euros once this time has passed. In order not to know such a scenario, remember to apply for a change of badge when he exceeded 5 years. It’s free and simple to do, everything goes online on the site of the telepal company with which you have subscribed.