Can French Télépéage badges be used across multiple vehicles?

Reader Question: I have two cars in France, one for everyday use, and an SUV I take on holiday as it has more space for items. Can I use the same télépéage in each vehicle, or do they need separate badges?

Electronic toll badges (télépéage) are increasingly in use on French roads, and can be used across the French (and some other European) motorway networks. 

Read more: Ways to avoid queues at motorway tolls in France

Whether you can use the badge for more than one vehicle depends principally on the company supplying the badge. 

In some cases the badge is linked to the number plate of a car. In these circumstances clearly it can only be used with that vehicle, and not with others. 

Where the badge is not linked to a specific vehicle it can be used with other cars. Companies including Fulli and Ulys allow for this, with the latter supplying three badges to customers.

Additional badges can be ordered if need be, for example if you have more vehicles.

This can include camping cars, but again you will have to check with the specific company. 

Cannot be used in quick succession 

However, it is not permitted to use one account badge for two cars following each other on the road. So, for example, if you and your partner are driving separate vehicles on the same motorway at the same time you could not both use a badge linked to the same account. 

In this case, the second vehicle will need its own, separate badge, or to pay the toll manually / with a bank card. 

Note that if you have more than one type of télépéage badge in your vehicle when passing a toll booth, you may be charged twice, once on each badge. 

Some companies will provide you with an aluminium covering for their badges, which you can use to prevent detection when it is not in use, which will stop such double charge. 

Read more: Will my toll badge work on French barrier-free motorways?