Drive on a Tolled Road in Australia

If you've driven in New South Wales, Victoria or Queensland, you may have often seen toll roads, or driven on one. There are multiple ways to pay your tolls, should you ever have to drive on a toll road.

Steps

  1. Figure out how frequently you will use a toll road. All toll roads in Australia collect tolls electronically. There are no longer any cash booths on any Australian toll road, meaning you usually need to make payment arrangements prior to travelling on a toll road.
  2. Find out what sort of accounts the toll road you intend to travel most on offers. Most toll operators provide two account types, electronic tag/pass/eTag, and video tolling/number plate recognition. You can also purchase a pass. Getting an account is usually more economic if you intend to use toll roads more than 12 times a year.
  3. Grab your tag/pass, and (if applicable) install it onto your windscreen. Fund the account (usually with a credit card or BPAY).

Paying a toll using a video account or tag

  1. If using a tag, make sure your tag is correctly mounted on the windscreen. Most tags for passenger cars mount on the top of the windscreen horizontally. Tags on trucks or buses should usually be mounted at the bottom of the windscreen, sometimes vertically. Use the holder provided to hold the tag. Extra holders are generally provided for free so you can use the tag in any other cars you may own.
  2. Drive through under the toll gantry (all lanes). Avoid lane changes. You do not need to slow down.
  3. Listen for a beep (if using a tag). One beep normally means all is well. Check your manual for other beep sounds.

Using a pass

  1. Purchase the correct pass. Passes can be purchased online, or usually at service stations.
  2. Drive through under the toll gantry (all lanes). The video camera will take a photo of your number plate as you drive past, and match it with a database of vehicles assigned to passes.
  3. You do not need to do anything more. You will not receive an invoice, or any confirmation letter.

I forgot to buy a pass, and I don't have a tag

  1. If you drove through an electronic lane, and you didn't have a tag, a video tolling account or a pass, relax.
  2. Call the toll operator. Most toll roads have the toll road operator's phone number on the side of the road. It is imperative you ring them within 48 hours to avoid a fine notice.
  3. Purchase a pass. Some toll roads will allow you to purchase a pass up to 48 to 72 hours after travelling. Purchasing a pass will ensure you do not receive a fine.
  4. Pay the invoice. If you do not purchase a pass or arrange payment with the toll road operator, you will receive an invoice in the mail, which will be the amount of the toll, and a processing fee. If you do not pay this initial invoice, the matter is usually referred to the police / relevant state authority, where costs will escalate and criminal charges may be pursued.

Tips

  • All electronic tags, regardless of which toll road operator issued it are compatible for use on other toll roads within Australia. For example, if you have a "Breeze" tag issued by ConnectEast, the operators of EastLink in Melbourne, you can use this same tag to travel on the WestLink M7 in Sydney, or any other toll road in Australia.
  • Make sure, if you are using a video account or a tag, that you keep your account loaded with sufficient funds (if you have not authorised automatic debiting from your credit card or bank account). Tag providers provide many options to load funds. Note that some, such as BPAY may take time to process.
  • Most tags will make one beep sound if your toll has been deducted successfully. Consult your tag's manual if you hear more than one beep. Multiple beeps may mean that your toll payment was not processed and that you may need to contact the toll road operator.
  • Most tags have a vehicle classification printed. Do not use a car tag in a truck or vice versa.

Warnings

  • In the past, people have tried to sell number plate covers with horizontal stripes, claiming they are legal, whilst deterring toll camera detection. Note that these products have been independently tested to fail to deter toll detection, and are a waste of your money.
  • Always ensure you have a pass, tag or account, or you purchase a pass immediately after you travel if you do not have any of the former. If you drive on a toll road without paying the toll, the camera will take a photo of your number plate, and you will receive either an infringement notice, or an invoice with an extra "database-matching" fee.
  • Don't slow down unexpectedly at an electronic toll gantry. You do not need to slow down, and slowing down unexpectedly may cause confusion to other drivers, and be a potential hazard.
  • Do not speed or travel faster than necessary when approaching a toll plaza.

Things You'll Need

  • A car, or other vehicle
  • The necessary skills and documentation (such as a license) to operate a motor vehicle
  • A tag, pass or account.

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