With traffic levels returning to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, the M6 Toll road could help cut a significant chunk of time off your trip - but is the road free to use in the evening or at weekends?
Running from J3a south of Birmingham to Junction 11a to the north of the city, the toll road is designed to both cut journey times and ease congestion on the public motorway system around Birmingham.
We look at how to use the paid section of motorway and if it will be free to use on Christmas Day 2022.
Is the M6 Toll Road free to use at the weekend?
No. The toll stretch of the motorway is not free to use at the weekend - either on Saturday or Sunday. However, there are discounted prices for doing so at the weekend - reduced at both peak and off-peak hours. See the table below for weekend pricing.
Is the road free to use at night?
Again, the M6 Toll road is not free to use at night. However, there are reduced fees for evening and night-time use of the paid section. See the table below for details of price bands by time of use.
What is the M6 Toll Road and where is it?
The road, also known as the Midland Expressway, is 27 miles long and bypasses Birmingham and
surrounding cities in the midlands. It also allows drivers travelling from the south east to bypass the
busy intersection with the M5.
Is the M6 Toll Road free on Christmas Day, New Year's Day and other bank holidays in England?
No. The toll road section of the M6 will not be free for users over Christmas and on New Year's
Say 2022/23. However, with 25 December being on a Saturday this year, drivers pay the reduced weekend
rate. During peak hours, this is down from £7.00 to £6.10.
Payment is not waived on any other English bank holidays.
New M6 Toll prices from 13th January 2023
Driver will have to pay more to use the M6 Toll road from 13 January 2013. The following table outlines the new toll charges that drivers using the M6 Toll motorway will need to pay
Early exit' refers to leaving on one of the junctions along the paid section of road before it rejoins the main motorway
| Weekdays | Motorcycle | Motorcycle | Car | Car | Car/trailer | Car/trailer |
| Full | Early exit | Full | Early exit | Full | Early exit | |
| Day 7am-7pm | £4.00 | £3.00 | £8.20 | £5.80 | £12.10 | £8.70 |
|
Off-Peak Morning 5am-7am Evening 7pm-11pm |
£3.90 | £2.90 | £8.20 | £5.80 | £12.10 | £8.70 |
| Night (11pm-5am) | £3.60 | £2.60 | £7.00 | £5.50 | £11.10 | £8.40 |
Weekend cost to use the road
| Weekends | Motorcycle | Motorcycle | Car | Car | Car/trailer | Car/trailer |
| Full | Early exit | Full | Early exit | Full | Early exit | |
| Day 5am-11pm | £4.00 | £3.00 | £8.20 | £5.80 | £11.90 | £8.70 |
| Night (11pm-5am) | £3.60 | £2.60 | £7.00 | £5.50 | £11.10 | £8.40 |
How much time does the M6 Toll road save?
The M6 Toll Road is mainly of benefit for drivers heading from the south east of England to areas
in the north west and vice versa. Anyone heading to the south west may not benefit because there is no
direct connection to the M5.
The owners have said that journey time is cut by 25 minutes during normal travel conditions, but
Christmas and other bank holidays could see greater time-saving as abnormal congestion clogs the roads
around Birmingham.
Do I pay the M6 Toll road both ways?
Yes. The charge is payable in both directions.
Do Blue Badge holders have to pay to use the M6 Toll Road?
Drivers with Blue Badges must apply and register before using the toll road if they are to avoid
charges.
There is a £7.00 yearly charge to register as exempt from paying the charge.
What if I accidentally use the M6 Toll Road and have no way of paying?
It has been said that the carriageway layout makes it easy for drivers to inadvertently enter the
paid-for section. If you do this and have no method of payment, pull up at the plaza as you exit and
press the assistance button. You will then be able to give your details and a payment notice will be
issued to pay online later. Failure to pay this notice will result in a penalty of up to £70.
Can I pay with cash?
No - the option of paying with cash was removed during the pandemic, it has now been decided to
make this a permanent policy.
How do I pay for using the M6 Toll road?
There are three options open to drivers using the paid-for stretch of motorway when it comes to
paying the charge:
- TAG
- Card - debit or credit and fuel cars.
- Contactless cards
Find out more information about paying to use the road here.
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Author: Pete Barden:
Twitter: @pete_barden
Pete Barden is a qualified journalist who has written and produced for publications including The Sun (thesun.co.uk), New Statesman Media Group, Whatcar? (Whatcar.com) Stuff Magazine (Stuff.tv), Fastcar Magazine (Fastcar.co.uk), Maxim Magazine and UK broadcast stations within the Heart network (Formerly GCAP). Pete specialises in motoring and travel content, along with news and production roles. You can find out more about Pete Barden on LinkedIn.
