Florida Toll By Plate is a system that charges your registered vehicle owner account when you drive through a toll plaza without a transponder

When you drive through a Florida toll booth without a SunPass or other transponder, the toll authority photographs your license plate and bills the registered owner. This is called Toll By Plate. The toll amount is higher than the transponder rate — typically 50% more — because the state charges a processing fee for the plate-based transaction. The bill goes to whoever the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has on record as the vehicle owner, regardless of who was actually driving.

You will receive a bill by mail at the address on your vehicle registration. The bill includes the toll amount, the processing fee, and the date and location of the toll. You have options for how to pay: by mail with a check, online through the toll authority's website, by phone, or in person at a payment location. If you own a vehicle registered in Florida and drive through tolls regularly, switching to a prepaid transponder account usually costs less over time, even though there is an upfront fee for the device.

Key Takeaways

  • Toll By Plate bills are sent by mail to the registered vehicle owner's address on file with the state, not to the driver.
  • The Toll By Plate rate is higher than the transponder rate because it includes a processing fee for photographing and billing your plate.
  • You can pay by mail, online, by phone, or in person at a payment location listed on your bill.
  • If you do not pay within the time shown on your bill, late fees and collection actions may follow.
  • A prepaid transponder account (SunPass or a competitor) costs less per toll if you use tolls more than a few times per month.

How the billing process works

When your vehicle passes through a toll plaza without a transponder, a camera captures your license plate. The toll authority — which may be the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), a county expressway authority, or a private toll operator — looks up your vehicle registration and mails a bill to the owner's address. This process takes several days to a few weeks, which is why you do not receive a bill immediately after driving through a toll.

The bill includes the toll amount, a processing fee (usually $2.50 to $5.00 per transaction), the date and time of the toll, the toll plaza location, and the due date. The due date is typically 30 days from the bill date. If you believe you were not the driver or that the toll was charged in error, you can dispute the bill through the toll authority's website or by calling the number on the bill, though you will need to provide evidence such as a police report if you claim the vehicle was stolen.

Payment methods and where to send money

Each toll authority in Florida operates its own payment system, so the method depends on which toll road you used. The bill you receive will list the specific toll authority and provide payment instructions. Most authorities accept payment online through their website, which is usually the fastest method. You can also pay by phone by calling the number on your bill, by mailing a check to the address listed, or by visiting a payment location in person.

Online payment typically processes within one business day. Mailed checks should be sent to the address on the bill and may take 7 to 10 days to clear. If you pay online or by phone, keep a confirmation number or receipt for your records. Do not send cash by mail. If you have multiple bills from different toll authorities, you will need to pay each one separately because each authority manages its own account system.

What happens if you do not pay

If you do not pay by the due date, the toll authority will send a notice of delinquency. At this point, late fees are added to your bill — typically $20 to $50 per unpaid toll, depending on the authority. If you still do not pay after a second notice, the account may be referred to a collection agency, and the debt may be reported to credit bureaus. This can lower your credit score and make it harder to borrow money.

In Florida, unpaid tolls can also result in suspension of your vehicle registration and driver's license. The state can refuse to renew your registration or suspend your license if you owe more than a certain amount (usually around $500 across all toll authorities). If your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive. You can restore your license by paying the outstanding tolls and any associated fees.

The difference between Toll By Plate and a transponder account

A transponder is a small electronic device mounted on your windshield that communicates with toll readers as you pass through. SunPass is Florida's official prepaid transponder program, though other systems like E-Pass and Leeway also work on Florida tolls. With a transponder, you pay a lower per-toll rate (usually 25% to 50% less than Toll By Plate) because there is no processing fee and no need to photograph and mail a bill.

To use a transponder, you open a prepaid account, purchase the device (usually $10 to $15), and load money onto it. As you drive through tolls, the balance decreases automatically. When the balance runs low, you can reload online or by phone. If you use tolls fewer than five times per month, Toll By Plate may be cheaper because you avoid the upfront transponder cost. If you use tolls regularly, a transponder pays for itself within a few months. You can open a SunPass account online or by phone, and the device arrives by mail within one to two weeks.

Toll By Plate for rental cars and out-of-state vehicles

If you rent a car in Florida and drive through tolls, the rental company's registered address receives the Toll By Plate bill. Most rental companies charge a convenience fee (typically $3 to $5 per toll) on top of the toll amount and add it to your final bill. Some rental companies offer the option to purchase a temporary transponder or to prepay tolls, which may be cheaper if you plan to use tolls multiple times during your rental.

If you are visiting Florida from out of state and drive through tolls in your own vehicle, you will receive a bill at your home address. The process is the same as for Florida residents. Some out-of-state transponders (such as E-ZPass from the Northeast) work on some Florida tolls, so if you have one, you may be able to use it instead of paying by plate. Check the toll authority's website before your trip to see which transponders are accepted.

How to set up a SunPass account to avoid Toll By Plate charges

To open a SunPass account, visit the SunPass website or call 1-888-865-0000. You will need your vehicle registration information, a valid email address, and a payment method (credit card or bank account). You can choose to load a specific amount of money onto the account or set up automatic reloads, which add money when the balance drops below a threshold you set.

After you open the account, SunPass will mail you a transponder. You mount it on the inside of your windshield, and it is active as soon as it arrives. If you need a transponder sooner, some SunPass customer service centers and retail locations (like Publix stores) sell them in person. Once your transponder is active, Toll By Plate charges will stop for that vehicle, and you will pay the lower transponder rate instead. You can manage your account online, check your balance, view transaction history, and update your payment method anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I dispute a Toll By Plate charge if I was not driving?

Yes, you can dispute the charge through the toll authority's website or by calling the number on your bill. You will need to provide evidence, such as a police report if the vehicle was stolen, or documentation showing someone else was driving. The toll authority will investigate and may remove the charge if your claim is valid. Keep in mind that the registered owner is responsible for the toll unless you can prove otherwise.

What if I move and do not receive my Toll By Plate bill?

Update your address with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles as soon as you move. If you do not receive a bill, the toll authority may still report the debt as delinquent and take collection action. If you think you missed a bill, contact the toll authority directly to ask about any outstanding tolls on your vehicle. You can also set up a SunPass account to avoid future Toll By Plate bills.

Do I have to pay Toll By Plate charges if I have a SunPass transponder?

No, once your SunPass transponder is active and mounted on your windshield, tolls are deducted from your prepaid account instead. However, if your account balance is zero or if the transponder malfunctions, you may receive a Toll By Plate bill. Keep your SunPass account funded and check that your transponder is working properly to avoid unexpected bills.

How long does a Toll By Plate bill take to arrive?

Most Toll By Plate bills arrive within 7 to 14 days of driving through the toll. The exact timing depends on the toll authority and the postal service. You should not assume you have not been billed if you do not receive a bill within a few days. If you need to know whether you have outstanding tolls, you can contact the toll authority or check your account online if you have registered your vehicle.

Can I pay someone else's Toll By Plate bill?

Yes, you can pay a bill for another person's vehicle if you have the bill or account number. You can pay online, by phone, or by mail using the payment methods listed on the bill. The payment will be credited to that vehicle's account regardless of who submits it. This is useful if a family member or friend has an outstanding toll bill and you want to help them pay it.