With so much to offer, visiting Florida is on many people’s must-see lists. However, if you plan on making a road trip through Florida, you need to be aware of paying tolls. Let's take a look at how visitors can pay for tolls when traveling through Florida.
Use one of the following methods for paying for tolls when visiting Florida:
- Electronic transponders
- Pay By plate
- Cash
- PayTollo
As you can see, there are different options for visitors to pay tolls while in Florida. In this article, we will discuss each method in detail to help you decide which one is best for your needs. In addition, we will answer other frequently asked questions about tolls in Florida, so read on!
How Do You Pay For Tolls When In Florida?
While they may seem like an annoyance, tolls have been in Florida for many years and are a necessary part of the state’s travel infrastructure. By paying a toll, you are helping to keep up and maintain Florida’s roadways.
Before traveling to Florida, it's recommended to get an idea of how much tolls can cost and the different methods available for payment.
You can go on the tolls website to get an idea of what it costs to drive on any particular toll road. For example, Florida's Turnpike, CFX, and SunPass tolls all use different systems.
Once you have an estimated cost, you can choose one of the following methods to pay your tolls:
Electronic Transponders
Electronic transponders are small devices that are mounted on the windshield of a vehicle. They use radio frequency technology to automatically deduct the cost of tolls from an account pre-funded by the user.
Florida has several different electronic transponders that you can use. Keep in mind each area has specific requirements for using the transponders, such as minimum account balances and usage fees. In addition, one area may allow one electronic transponder while another may not.
The benefit of using an electronic transponder is that you don't have to worry about having cash or keeping track of receipts. Plus, you will get a lower rate at certain toll plazas. You can also use the electronic transponder's app to reload money and manage your account.
Here are a few of the most popular transponders used in Florida:
- SunPass
- E-PASS
- LeeWay
- E-Z Pass
- NC Quick Pass
- Peach Pass
Check the toll areas accepted by electronic transponders before signing up.
Pay By Plate
For those who don't want to commit to an electronic transponder, Pay By Plate is a great option. This method allows you to pay tolls without having an account balance or transponder device.
When you use Pay By Plate, the cost of your toll is charged to your license plate. This means that you don't need to worry about having enough funds in your account to cover the cost of the tolls.
A monthly invoice will then be mailed to your address with a breakdown of each toll paid. Keep in mind that Pay By Plate's fees are higher than using an electronic transponder, so it is best to add money to your account before you use the toll roads.
Typically, you will have 30 days to pay the toll invoice. If you don't, fees and fines will be added to your account. You can pay the invoice using a credit or debit card online or by phone.
Cash
Some toll plazas allow you to pay with cash. Keep in mind not all will take bills larger than $20. Plus, you may need exact change at toll plazas, as some don't give out change.
It's also worth noting that not all toll plazas have attendees. If that's the case, you will need to pay using one of the other methods.
If you have an E-Pass, you can also use cash to reload your account at certain locations.
PayTollo
If you plan on making a state-wide road trip, then you may want to consider PayTollo. It's a new system that uses your mobile phone and credit card to pay for tolls on the go. This is a great option versus paying using multiple electronic transponders and cash.
You can download the app and register for an account. Then, simply link a payment method to your account and start paying for tolls without having to stop at the toll plaza.
You can set up PayTollo, so it automatically reloads your account balance when you hit $10. You can also use PayTollo to calculate the cost of your trip and view toll locations.
PayTollo can be used at most Florida toll plazas and some other states. However, check the app to see which toll facilities it works with.
How Do Tolls Work With Rental Cars In Florida?
If you are planning to rent a car when visiting Florida, you should know how tolls work. Most rental car companies will add the toll charges to your credit or debit card since they know the route you took.
This is similar to the Pay By Plate system, but instead of sending an invoice to your address, the rental car company will add the toll fees to your charges.
You can avoid being charged these fees by signing up for an electronic transponder and adding money to it before you use the toll roads. However, you will need to see if the rental car company will allow you to use your transponder.
If they do, then you will need to add the rental car information to your account so you can use the toll roads.
However, if you get a violation when using a rental car, then it can be costly. Not only will be charged fines and fees by Florida's toll authorities, but the rental car company may also charge you administration fees. So be sure to check all the rules and regulations before using a rental car to travel around Florida.
What Happens If Tolls Go Unpaid In Florida?
Avoiding paying toll fees in Florida isn't a good idea. There are fines and fees attached to unpaid tolls.
If you don't pay for a toll within 30 days, then the Florida Department of Transportation will issue you a Notice of Toll Violation. This notice includes the cost of the violation as well as a processing fee. The state can also suspend your vehicle registration if you fail to pay the Notice of Toll Violation.
If you are caught driving on a toll road without paying, then you can be cited by law enforcement and face additional fines and penalties. You can also be looking at a driver's license suspension.
It is important to keep up with your toll invoices and pay them on time. That way, you can avoid costly fines and fees and stay out of trouble.
What If Someone Else Was Driving My Car?
If you received a toll violation and weren't the one driving your car, then you have options. You will need to file a dispute within 14 days of the violation date.
You will need to have some sort of proof that someone else was operating the vehicle at the time of the toll road violation. This can be a written statement or an image of the driver.
Once you have proof, then you can submit it to dispute your toll fee and potentially avoid paying any fines or penalties. You also need to submit the person's name, date of birth, and, if possible, their driver's license number.
If your vehicle was stolen during the time of the toll violation, then you will need to provide a police report as proof.
The state will then review your dispute and can decide to dismiss the citation. If not, then you may be liable for the toll fee plus any fines and penalties.
If you can't prove that someone else was driving your car at the time of the violation, then the owner of the vehicle will have to pay the toll fee.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are several ways for Florida drivers to pay for tolls. Whether it's using an electronic transponder, PayTollo, or cash, understanding how these systems work will help you save time and money when driving in the state. It is always worth double-checking before signing up for any of these services.
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