Estonia, Markets and Companies, Taxation, Transport

The bill would be forwarded to ministries for a round of approvals next week at the latest, spokespeople for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications said.

Estonia and Finland are the only countries in the European Union not to have imposed a road user change for trucks.

"Elsewhere in Europe people have long since become used to it that with the transport infrastructure the user pays principle applies. Likewise, looking forward, Estonia must rid itself of dependence on EU funds in road maintenance," Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Kadri Simson said.

In accordance with the bill, the rate of the fee would depend on the sum of the maximum mass of the truck and the trailer and the number of axles, as well as the emissions class of the vehicle, which means that the legislation would be conducive to the use of less polluting vehicles.

The rate of the fee would be nine euros per day and 500 euros per year for trucks with a maximum mass of 3.5-12 tons and 10-12 euros and 600-1,300 euros respectively for trucks with a maximum mass of 12 tons. It will be possible to pay the charge also per week, per month and per quarter.

Supervision over compliance will be a duty of the Police and Border Guard Board and the Tax and Customs Board.

The measure would take effect on Jan. 1, 2018, and the money thus raised would be used for the maintenance of transport infrastructure.