How do tolls work with rental cars?

Discover toll roads considerations when you’re renting a car:

• There are different payment methods available when paying toll roads: human operators and contactless payment systems
• Some toll roads use license plate recognition to track tolls
• Avoid penalties by asking your rental provider about how to pay the cost of toll roads

If you’re planning on crossing borders or driving in unfamiliar territory while renting a car, it’s important to be aware of any toll roads you may encounter en route. In this article, you’ll learn more about toll roads and their uses, how to pay for toll roads, and how to avoid them completely.

Why toll roads are necessary

A toll road is a road, bridge, tunnel, or highway that requires you to pay a fee to use. These fees are used by local government or transport authorities to help with road maintenance and infrastructure. Toll roads are usually located in high-traffic, with varied costs depending on the city and country. Toll charges are also calculated based on vehicle type, weight and axle number, meaning if you’re driving an HGV you should expect to pay more.

How do tolls work with rental cars?

It’s always a good idea to be aware of any toll roads you may encounter while driving. While it may seem like a cost-saving exercise to avoid toll roads, opting to navigate away from toll roads to take the scenic route, may ultimately cost you in terms of time and additional fuel costs. Below you’ll find a few different ways you can prepare for toll roads during your rental.

• Do your research: In the interest of safety, it’s always worth having a basic understanding of your route before you travel, just in case you get lost. In terms of toll roads, most GPS and mapping services will point out any upcoming toll roads, and suggest alternative routes that avoid them.
• Contact the highway authority: Prior to renting your car, it may be worth contacting the relevant highway authority to enquire about any tolls along your route. The highway authority is the best source of up-to-date information and can inform you of specific toll charges, any traffic issues, as well as offer local driving tips.
• Speak to your rental provider: Payment methods might differ for rental cars. Make sure to ask your rental provider about how to pay the cost of toll roads. With many toll roads now operating with “pay later” policies, it’s worth keeping on top of these things to avoid additional fines.

How to pay road tolls

In the past, toll roads were managed by human operators who collected tolls and manually opened barriers. Nowadays, most toll roads use contactless payment systems, eliminating the need for cash. Some toll roads have adopted a “pay later” policy, allowing vehicles to pass through automatically with the requirement to register and pay the toll within a specified period. However, some toll roads still require coin payments, so it's advisable to carry local currency.

Toll roads: additional things to consider

• Safety: When you’re driving in unfamiliar territory, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and the direction you’re heading. While avoiding toll roads may seem like a cost-effective solution, it may result in diversions into more rural and less signposted areas, where it’s easy to get lost.
• Penalty charges: Avoid penalty charges – don’t assume that the rental company will automatically pay or reimburse the costs of a toll road. If you don't pay for a “pay later” toll road during your rental, you’ll likely get a fine as well as an additional charge from the rental company.
• Vehicle type: To make sure your toll road experience is smooth, keep an eye out as you approach the toll barriers to help make sure you’re in the correct lane for your vehicle size. Sometimes, camper vans and larger vehicles require additional undercarriage checks, so it makes matters easier if you’re where you need to be.
• Congestion and emissions charges: In addition to toll roads, many locations now feature congestion and emissions zones designed to offset the social and environmental impact of heavy traffic and CO2. If you pass through these areas without a permit or while driving an incompatible vehicle, you’ll receive a fine. These zones are often outlined on GPS and map routes, but are often less signposted than standard tolls.

Understanding the cost of toll roads

Toll roads may seem like unnecessary additional expenses on top of other taxes. But, toll roads have existed for thousands of years. The cost of toll roads varies depending on the country. Keep in mind that some charges may seem expensive. Generally, in countries where there are fewer tolls, the charge will be higher. The more tolls per country, the cheaper the charges will be.

FAQs

How to pay tolls in the US with a rental car?

• Electronic toll program: This allows you to use electronic toll lanes without stopping – the rental company charges you for the tolls plus a daily service fee when you use toll roads.
• Cash payment: Some toll roads still have a cash payment option where you can pay the fee directly at a toll booth.
• Pay-by-plate: Some toll roads use license plate recognition to track tolls – you can pay the costs online or through an app.
• Personal or rental transponder: You can use your own personal transponder or ask the rental company if they supply a transponder to pay tolls.

Do rental car companies pay tolls and taxes?

This depends on the rental provider. Be sure to check the rental agreement or ask the rental company about their toll policies when renting. Some companies may pay tolls with an extra charge and others may not cover toll costs.