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Travelling to/from France
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 22/01/2006, 17:14
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Loiseau
Joined on 23/08/2004
London/Vendée
Posts 922
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The badges are totally brilliant! I followed the advice of a correspondent on this forum and ordered one from the Sanef website:
http://www.sanef.com/fr/ecommerce/particulier/decouvre.jsp
It turned up at my UK address within a week. I paid with a UK credit card. It works on any part of the French motorway network apparently, not just on the Sanef concessions.
The only snag about using a credit card for the regular debits for the péages that you have used is that you must remember to let Sanef know when you renew your credit card otherwise the badge will no longer work (could be embarrassing if there is a queue behind you at the barrier!) once the expiry date you gave them has passed. If at all possible, it would be best to link the debiting to a French bank account so that you won't have to worry about this aspect.
I don't know if this is possible when ordering over the internet. I subsequently helped my sister to buy one at one of the Sanef offices on the motorway network (near the Echinghen viaduct, outside Boulogne, near northbound péage station; A16, J29). The staff suggested she use a French bank account, but she didn't have its details with her on that occasion, so couldn't do so, and had to use her UK credit card. However if you go to one of their offices in person, you can drive away the proud owner of a badge immediately.
Another tip is to keep the badge in the padded silver bag for periods when you are not using it. This prevents it from beeping unnecessarily if you go through any similar electronic barriers (i.e. if you have it with you while travelling in someone else's car) and running up your bill.
There was a one-off payment of about 30 euros, which is a deposit and you would get back if you returned the badge and ended the contract. On top of the actual péages, you pay an extra 2 euros for any month that you use it. So if you use it in October and November, you will be charged 4 euros plus péage; but if you don't then use it again till March you won't have to pay the extra 2 euros for Dec/Jan/Feb.
I think there's another Sanef office on the A16, NW of Amiens.
Angela
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22/01/2006, 17:33
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Rasputin
 
Joined on 15/11/2005
Posts 21
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Angela thank you very much,
I will be travelling in France during the next few weeks and shall get one then.
thanks again for your help.
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29/01/2006, 16:49
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Don
Joined on 23/08/2004
North East England
Posts 10
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This is the first I have heard of the badges. Do they only save paying with cash or bank cards or do they allow you to pass through the Telepeage booths?
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29/01/2006, 22:34
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Loiseau
Joined on 23/08/2004
London/Vendée
Posts 922
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You by-pass the booths, and drive instead through the lane marked "telepeage". You don't have to hand over any money or credit card. As you approach the barrier, there's a "beep" as it reads the "badge" that you stick at top centre of your windscreen. The money for the toll is automatically debited to your credit card or bank account.
You do have to drive s-l-o-w-l-y up to the barrier though. And each time you think "Oh no, it's not going to open!", but then it does. Phew.
Angela
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30/01/2006, 13:32
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Andyphilpott
Joined on 23/08/2004
Kent and Collobrieres Var
Posts 217
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I have had a Telepeage unit for some years now - I posted on it soon after I got mine to recommend it to others.
It does not save any money - in fact you pay more as there is a small annual fee for the unit and a one off charge which you will get back when you return it to them.
It does save time and hassle though as it is much quicker (usually) to go through the reserved telepeage lanes.
It is especially good if you are driving an English car on your own!
One small problem occurs on my wife's Peugot car though - it has a UV filter built into the screen which obstructs the communication between the unit and the telepeage itself. Same happens with the Dartford Crossing units so it is a technology related issue. To cope with this, either hold the unit against the shaded part of the screen - just behind the rear view mirror - or hold it out of the car window.
I did not know that they accepted Credit Card payments. Mine is charged by prelevement directly to my French bank account. Ordering over the internet is simple.
I get a monthly statement showing all the passages through the tolls and there has never been a mistake.
Amuses me when I drive into the telepeage lane and get French drivers flashing me - they seem to believe that only the French are allowed these!!
Andy
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France Forum » Travelling to/f... » Travelling to/f... » Re: Auto Toll Badge
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