Dobrev & Lyutskanov Law Firm participated in the drafting of the latest amendments to the Roads Act concerning the mixed toll system for motor vehicles

A major amendment to the Roads Act was the postponement of the toll system. The National Assembly made a decision on the introduction of distance-based toll charges for heavy-duty motor vehicles not later than 1 March 2020, enabling the Council of Ministers to decide on an earlier commencement date of the toll system, while assessing the technical preparedness for its operation. The amendment warranted the adoption of a series of transitional and final provisions of the law so that to regulate the payment of vignette charges for that category of motor vehicles during the interim period.

Another very important change of the legislation was the facilitated procedure for the operation of declared toll data suppliers, minimizing the administrative intervention in their activities. The Road Infrastructure Agency retains only its controlling and supervisory powers over their activities and the fulfillment of the compliance requirements for the provision of these services. However, declared data suppliers are no longer required to conclude contracts with the Road Infrastructure Agency and guarantee the reliable performance of their activity through mandatory performance bonds. Suppliers are required instead to conclude contracts with the electronic toll service providers, which eliminates the need for mandatory professional liability insurance.

Furthermore, the Road Infrastructure Agency is no longer required to organize the distribution of on-board devices, the registration of users of the paid road network, and the direct reporting and use of resources from the balance they maintain. Now these activities will be carried out by the electronic toll service providers who will provide these services to their customers as part of their business operations.

The law firm took part also in the drafting of the relevant amendments to the secondary legislation based on the new provisions of the law. These changes are expected to be implemented in the general terms and conditions of the contracts which the Road Infrastructure Agency concludes with the various participants in the e-toll system such as the European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) providers, national electronic toll service providers, fuel card suppliers, and traders willing to operate selling points.