Eastern European drivers have splashed out the most, with those from countries including Poland, Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Bulgaria coughing up £9million.

In total, 618,000 payments have been made for over 112,000 vehicles from 76 countries since the HGV Road User Levy was introduced in April.

The scheme was introduced following years of complaints by British hauliers that while they pay to use roads on the Continent, their European counterparts enjoy a free passage here.

All hauliers driving trucks of 12 tons or more must pay the charge, which varies between £1.70 and £10 a day, before using British roads. All the money goes back into the upkeep of British road.

Although British drivers also pay the levy, which is capped at £1,000 a year, it is offset by a corresponding cut in road tax for them to make sure that they are no worse off. Transport Minister Robert Goodwill, said: “I welcome these figures, which show that the levy brought in by this Government is really working.

“We anticipated the levy would generate £20million a year. To take £17million in just four months is impressive and shows that compliance has remained high since introduction.”

James Hookham, from the Freight Transport Association, said: “UK road freight operators have consistently ­argued that foreign registered HGVs ­operating in the UK should contribute to their use of our roads.

“The HGV levy ensures this, and in so doing helps those domestic UK hauliers who are in direct competition with foreign carriers for loads.”

More than 95 per cent of heavy goods vehicle operators are now paying the new levy according to the Department for Transport.

Roadside checks by Driver and Vehicle Standard’s Agency enforcement officers have resulted in more than 850 fixed penalty fines issued to drivers who have not paid the levy, totting up revenue worth more than £250,000.