Sanef

All you have to pay with ATMB is the €1.90 per month but only for months when the tag is used. There is no payment as such and indeed the deposit was waived when we got ours last year under a special offer. €1.90 (or €3.80 if we're away straddling 2 months) is nothing when you consider the advantages.

We previously had Sanef and again you don't actually pay for the tag - it's just a deposit.

Hi, we've only had our tag for about 3 years (for France) but would not be without it - no more leaning out the window trying to reach the slot and praying I don't drop the credit card!

Yes you do. We have one for France alone and another for Spain and Portugal combined. Same clip on the screen but different badge. 

Just a heads up you those whose TAG has expired and replaced by SANEF. The new TAG comes with a different holder to the original. Obviously it comes with a holder but should you require addition holders (my son and I tend to share it) they are available from SANEF. 

David

The best thing about the tags is when you get the drive-through and can   do up to 30kph without stopping. I haven’t got the nerve to do the maximum but I imagine it will work fine. Watch out for the “T” sign above the gate with a “30” in a red circle and just go for it!

Just looking at getting this tag and it sounds great, but thinking about the direct debit from my UK £ bank account, I think the fees would be quite high, like £4 per payment.  Does anyone know if you can use a Fairfax euro card to have the direct debit paid?

SanefUK will charge costs to a UK bank account. Other French companies such as ATMB will charge costs to a normal UK bank debit card or credit card.   Both are effective. In neither case need you go through the extra intermediate stage of loading cash on to a pre paid card in order to pay the bill. 

As I understand it I paid a deposit for my ATMB card which is retuned when I no longer need it. Batteries are replaced free (approx 5 yrs) and if I use it more than three times in any month the fee is reduced. I opened a Metro bank account for all my European transactions which are fee free and exchange rate is one of the best.

Hope that helps,

Ken

Thanks Ken and Eurortraveller. 

Sorry to disagree, but if you are travelling off season, then not worth the hassle. If you are travelling 1000 miles, getting out of your car and walking round won't take 2 minuets out of your life!!!

Stop car, open door, walk round, insert ticket, insert card, press for receipt and return to car. It probable took me longer to type this than for you to actually do it!!

But if you like gadgets then go for it.