What happens if you drive without a vignette?

Driving on certain European motorways requires a valid vignette. If you enter one of these roads without it, you may receive a fine — even if you're never stopped by the police.

Many countries use cameras to read registration plates and automatically check whether a digital vignette is valid. Buying one after your journey may not cancel a violation that has already been recorded.

Before travelling, always check whether your route requires a vignette and carefully enter your registration number, vehicle category and validity dates.

Rules and penalties differ between countries, so checking the official requirements before crossing the border can save both time and money.