I agree with you that in general the warning signs are scarce,
but the only reason to get furious is the height of the fine.

We passed through Slovenia a few weeks ago via Austria and were completely baffled by the toll system. ABSOLUTELY NO English signs anywhere explaining you need to buy a sticker (and Vignette is not English btw – what the hell is this made-up word, not even French). We slowed as we got to the tolls, trying to find out where/who to pay, but were honked from behind to move, so we did. Got through Slovenia to Croatia ok, but when we went back to Austria a few days later, had the infamous pullover by DARS. The most rudest, combative person I have ever met demanding where our sticker was, our passports, rental car registration and then refusing to give any of it back until we made payment – which was only through ATM 5 km down the road -we couldn’t drive there- or a broken credit card machine. Thankfully, my husband got to talk to asshole’s superior and we made only 150E fine via another credit machine.
We are never, EVER coming back to this country, it was indeed a waste of our time and energy. Guess you can’t expect a former Communist country to get its act together and start welcoming new tourists, they will definitely hurt because of it. Good riddance.

Shortly after a tunnel, we were waved to the side of the road where all the other cars of tourists were parked. The DARS officer advised us of the vignette “rule” and the penalty of 300 euro.

The DARS “authorities” (or should I say extortionists) took a picture of our car (I’m sure preemptively to thwart any challenges of a valid vignette). They then asked for our rental car’s registration, and for the driver to exit the car in order to pay the fine.

We had no cash and so paid by credit card. We had to fill out our mailing address so that we can receive a letter in a foreign language with no due process. The “fine” (or should I say payoff) is halved to 150 euro if we paid on the spot.

This imposes a financial levy only on tourists who likely will not have the resources, language comprehension, nor access to oppose this action. There is absolutely no notice or warning to visitors of this requirement and thus cannot pretend to be a legitimate “rule of law.”

If Slovenia wants a reputation of a country that takes advantage of visitors, that fails to accommodate tourists, that provides no notice, due process or justice, and extorts governmentally-sanctioned bribes–congratulations Slovenia– you just lost a possible visitor who may have spent so much more than a pithy 150 euro (as well many other possible tourists whom will hear of this).

There are information signs on the border (in English and Slovenian), on each entry to the highway system, you can buy vignette on any gas station in Slovenia and in neighboring countries.
http://www.dars.si/Dokumenti/Toll/Methods_of_payment/Vehicles_up_to_35_t/Vignette/Sales_points_309.aspx
http://www.dars.si/Dokumenti/Toll/Methods_of_payment/Vehicles_under_35_t/Vignette/Questions_and_answers_about_vignette_312.aspx

Do you want to queue for 10 km to pick up highway toll ticket, and once again for 10 km once you need to exit the highway and pay it? This is what happens regularly in Italy during ferragosto period. Believe me, I have done it many times.
Austria and Switzerland also have Vignette system and I don’t see anyone complaining. You don’t like the Slovenian highways and pay the vignette, just make a detour. It is a small country, so it will be a small detour. Maybe other countries managed to build free highways.

This is probably the result of boarding out the execution of the law to a private firm.

thanks

If you pay the penalty on the spot they give you %50 discount…. You seeee how generous they are:)))) 150+15=165 Euro for a little country:)))