Alpes-Maritimes: He thought he would pass normally through the toll, the bill climbs to 425 euros

An osteopath from Antibes discovered a withdrawal of 425 euros from his bank account after passing through a toll gate on May 9, 2025. A toll tag subscriber for ten years, Philippe Rudowicz contests this penalty, linked to an undetected badge and a vehicle registration address that had not been updated.

A toll gate passage that turns into a bill for several hundred euros. This is the misadventure experienced by Philippe Rudowicz, an osteopath based in Antibes, in the Alpes-Maritimes. On May 9, 2025, while driving on the highway, the motorist passed through a toll barrier that remained raised due to a malfunction. Thinking he could continue his journey normally, the subscriber did not imagine that this passage would be held against him several months later.

The amount claimed ultimately reaches 425 euros, while the initial trip cost 1.70 euros. A situation that the person concerned contests, especially since the toll tag subscription had been active for about ten years. According to information reported by our colleagues, the badge would not have been detected when passing through. An outdated vehicle registration address subsequently complicated the procedure.

An undetected badge and a fine increased to 375 euros

The facts date back to May 9, 2025. Philippe Rudowicz was going to pick up his grandson from his karate class when he discovered a raised toll barrier that was out of service. The motorist passed through without imagining that a detection problem could result in a penalty.

Several months later, the bad news appears in his bank account. The Public Treasury withdraws 375 euros for “unpaid toll passage.” To this sum are added 50 euros in bank fees, bringing the total bill to 425 euros.

The osteopath questions this penalty, while his toll tag subscription was still in good standing. “I couldn’t understand how such an infraction could be held against me when I have a valid subscription”, he told our colleagues.

When contacted about this situation, Vinci Autoroutes hypothesizes that a badge was not detected, probably due to a “passage that was a bit too fast.” The concessionaire also reminds that a raised barrier does not necessarily mean that passage is authorized. A green light remains essential to pass through the toll gate.

Vinci Autoroutes also indicates that its services usually cancel penalties of 90 euros when the badge does not respond, in order to claim only the actual cost of the trip. In Philippe Rudowicz’s case, the procedure nevertheless resulted in an increased fine.

An outdated vehicle registration address at the origin of the increase

The matter does not rest solely on the badge malfunction. After moving following his retirement, Philippe Rudowicz had not updated the address on his vehicle registration certificate. The first payment notice was therefore sent to his old address.

Without receiving this notice, the motorist was unable to pay the amount initially requested within the deadline. Without a response within two months, the fine was increased to 375 euros. The 50 euros in bank fees were then added to the amount withdrawn.

The person concerned attempted to contest the penalty with the public prosecutor’s officer. His appeal was rejected on August 6, 2026, according to Nice-Matin. Philippe Rudowicz then contacted a consumer mediator on October 15, hoping to find a resolution to this dispute.

This misadventure reminds us of two precautions to take on the highway. The Ulys platform recommends slowing down when approaching toll lanes and waiting for the green light before passing through the barrier, even when it is already raised. Motorists must also ensure they update the address on their vehicle registration certificate after moving, in order to receive payment notices and be able to carry out the necessary procedures within the prescribed timeframes.