How to pay Florida tolls
You can pay Florida tolls three ways: with cash at toll booths, through a prepaid toll account, or automatically when you rent a vehicle. Most drivers use a prepaid account because toll roads charge higher rates for cash payments and no-account drivers. The main prepaid system is SunPass, which works statewide on Florida's Turnpike, toll roads, and bridges. You can also use E-Pass if you drive in Central Florida, or Toll-by-Plate if you don't want a transponder but still want account rates.
Setting up an account takes 10 to 15 minutes online or by phone. You load money into the account, attach a transponder to your windshield (or skip it with Toll-by-Plate), and tolls deduct automatically as you drive. If your account runs low, most systems send you an email and charge your payment method on file. Understanding which system covers your route and how much each method costs will save you money and avoid toll violations.
Key Takeaways
- SunPass is the statewide prepaid toll account and works on all Florida toll roads; E-Pass covers Central Florida toll roads; Toll-by-Plate lets you pay account rates without a transponder.
- Cash tolls cost 50 to 100 percent more than prepaid account rates on the same road, and drivers without an account or transponder face higher per-trip charges.
- You can set up a SunPass account online at sunpass.com, by phone at 1-888-865-7827, or at a retail location; funding takes a few minutes and tolls begin charging when ready.
- If you receive a toll violation notice, you have 30 days to dispute it or pay; unpaid violations can result in registration holds and collection action.
- Rental car companies often charge a daily fee for their own toll systems instead of letting you use your SunPass account, so check your rental agreement before driving toll roads.
SunPass: Florida's statewide prepaid toll account
SunPass is the primary toll payment system in Florida and works on the Florida Turnpike, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Alligator Alley, and most toll roads statewide. You create an account at sunpass.com, load money into it (minimum $25 to $50 depending on the account type), and receive a transponder to mount on your windshield. When you drive through a toll plaza, the transponder communicates with the toll reader and deducts the fare automatically.
SunPass rates are typically 25 to 50 percent lower than cash rates on the same road. For example, a cash toll on the Florida Turnpike might be $2.50, while a SunPass toll on the same segment costs $1.50 to $2.00. You can monitor your account balance and transaction history online or through the SunPass mobile app. If your balance drops below a threshold you set, the system charges your credit card or bank account automatically.
You can open a SunPass account by phone at 1-888-865-7827, online at sunpass.com, or at a SunPass retail location (found at rest stops, service plazas, and some retail partners). The transponder arrives by mail in 5 to 10 business days, but you can request expedited shipping for a fee. If you need a transponder when ready, some locations sell them in person.
E-Pass for Central Florida toll roads
E-Pass is a prepaid toll account operated by the Central Florida Expressway Authority and covers toll roads in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. If you drive the Greeneway (State Road 417), Beachline Expressway (State Road 528), or other Central Florida toll roads regularly, E-Pass may be your only option or may offer better rates than SunPass.
E-Pass works the same way as SunPass: you set up an account, load funds, receive a transponder, and tolls deduct automatically. You can open an E-Pass account at cfxway.com or by phone at 1-407-823-7277. E-Pass rates vary by road and time of day on some routes. If you drive both SunPass and E-Pass roads, you can maintain both accounts with separate transponders.
Toll-by-Plate: Account rates without a transponder
Toll-by-Plate is a system that charges your account based on your license plate instead of a transponder. You set up a SunPass account and register your vehicle's license plate, but you don't need to install a transponder on your windshield. When you drive through a toll plaza, a camera reads your plate and the toll deducts from your account.
Toll-by-Plate is useful if you rent a vehicle frequently, drive a borrowed car, or prefer not to install equipment. The rates are the same as SunPass transponder rates. You can add a plate to your SunPass account at sunpass.com or by calling 1-888-865-7827. Note that Toll-by-Plate works on most but not all Florida toll roads; check the SunPass website to confirm your route is covered.
Cash tolls and no-account charges
If you drive through a toll plaza without a prepaid account or transponder, you must pay cash at a toll booth or face a violation notice. Cash rates are significantly higher than prepaid rates. On the Florida Turnpike, cash tolls can be 50 to 100 percent more than SunPass rates for the same distance.
Drivers without an account or transponder are also subject to higher per-trip charges on some roads. For example, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge charges $2.50 with SunPass but $3.00 for cash. If you pass through a toll plaza without paying, the toll authority issues a violation notice to the vehicle's registered owner, typically 30 to 60 days after the violation. The notice includes the toll amount plus a violation fee (usually $25 to $100 depending on the road).
What happens if you receive a toll violation notice
A toll violation notice is a bill for an unpaid toll plus a violation fee. It is sent to the address on your vehicle registration. You have 30 days from the notice date to dispute the violation or pay it. If you believe the violation is incorrect (for example, your transponder malfunctioned or you paid cash but the reader didn't register it), you can dispute it by mail or online through the toll authority's website.
If you don't pay or dispute within 30 days, the toll authority can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. In Florida, this means you cannot renew your registration until the violation is resolved. Unpaid violations can also be sent to a collection agency, which may report the debt to credit bureaus and pursue collection action. If you have multiple unpaid violations, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles may suspend your registration.
To resolve a violation, contact the toll authority listed on the notice. Most toll roads have online dispute and payment portals. If you believe you have a valid reason for non-payment (for example, the toll booth was broken or you were not the driver), provide documentation with your dispute.
Toll costs for rental cars and how to avoid extra fees
When you rent a vehicle in Florida, the rental company may charge you a daily toll fee (typically $5 to $15 per day) if you drive toll roads, even if you don't actually use any tolls. This fee covers the rental company's own toll payment system, which is separate from SunPass. Some rental companies allow you to decline the toll service and use your own SunPass account instead, but policies vary.
Before you rent, ask the rental company whether you can use your personal SunPass account or whether you must use their toll service. If you must use their system, ask what the daily fee is and whether it includes unlimited tolls or charges per toll. If you can use your own SunPass account, make sure your account is funded before you pick up the rental. Some rental companies require you to provide your SunPass transponder number at pickup so they don't charge you their daily fee.
If you receive a toll violation notice after returning a rental car, contact the rental company when ready. The toll authority will have billed the rental company's registered address, but the rental company may pass the charge to you if you were the renter. Review your rental agreement to understand who is responsible for unpaid tolls.
Setting up and managing your toll account
To set up a SunPass account, visit sunpass.com or call 1-888-865-7827. You will need your vehicle's license plate number, a valid email address, and a payment method (credit card or bank account). Choose an account type: standard (personal use), commercial (business vehicles), or temporary (short-term use). Load your initial balance (minimum $25 to $50) and select how you want to be notified when your balance is low.
Once your account is created, you can order a transponder online or pick one up at a retail location. The transponder will arrive by mail in 5 to 10 business days. When it arrives, set up it through your online account and mount it on your windshield according to the instructions. Tolls will begin charging when ready once the transponder is active.
Monitor your account balance regularly through the SunPass website or mobile app. Most accounts are set to auto-replenish when the balance drops below a certain amount, so you won't run out of funds. If you change vehicles, update your account with the new license plate number. If your transponder is lost or damaged, you can order a replacement through your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my SunPass account in other states?
SunPass works only in Florida. If you drive toll roads in other states, you will need to set up separate accounts or pay cash. Some states have reciprocal agreements with Florida, but you must check each state's toll authority website before traveling.
What if my transponder stops working?
If tolls stop deducting from your account, your transponder may be damaged or out of range. Check your account online to see if tolls are being charged; if not, contact SunPass at 1-888-865-7827 to troubleshoot. You can request a replacement transponder, which will arrive by mail in 5 to 10 business days. In the meantime, use Toll-by-Plate if your account is set up for it, or pay cash to avoid violation notices.
Do I need a separate account for each vehicle I own?
No. You can register multiple license plates to a single SunPass account. When you drive any of your registered vehicles through a toll plaza, the toll deducts from the same account. This is useful if you own multiple cars or switch between vehicles regularly.
What if I dispute a toll violation and lose?
If your dispute is denied, you must pay the toll amount plus the violation fee. You have the right to request a hearing before a hearing officer if you believe the decision was wrong, but you must request it within a certain timeframe (usually 10 to 30 days). Contact the toll authority listed on the notice for instructions on requesting a hearing.
Can I get a refund if I overpay my toll account?
Yes. If your account balance is positive when you close it or if you believe you were overcharged, you can request a refund through your SunPass account or by calling 1-888-865-7827. Refunds typically take 7 to 10 business days to process.