What Payment by Plate means on the Illinois Tollway
Payment by Plate is a system that lets you drive through Illinois Tollway tolls without a transponder or stopping at a booth. The tollway photographs your license plate, matches it to your vehicle registration, and sends you an invoice by mail. You then pay the toll amount plus a processing fee within a set timeframe — usually 14 days.
This system exists because not every driver has an I-PASS transponder, and the tollway needed a way to collect tolls from those vehicles. It is not a violation or a penalty; it is simply how the tollway bills you after you have already driven through.
The key difference from I-PASS is that you pay after the fact, not before, and you pay a higher per-toll cost. The convenience of not stopping or carrying a device comes with a surcharge built into every invoice.
Key Takeaways
- Payment by Plate invoices arrive by mail within two to three weeks of driving through a toll plaza, and you have 14 days from the invoice date to pay.
- Each toll charged through Payment by Plate includes a processing fee on top of the base toll amount, making it more expensive than using an I-PASS transponder.
- You can pay online through the Illinois Tollway website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment location, and payment methods include credit card, debit card, and check.
- If you drive the Illinois Tollway regularly, switching to an I-PASS transponder will reduce your per-toll cost and eliminate the need to wait for invoices.
How the invoice arrives and what it contains
After you drive through a toll plaza without a transponder, the tollway's camera system captures your license plate. The tollway then cross-references your plate number with the Illinois Secretary of State's vehicle registration database to find your address. An invoice is mailed to that address within two to three weeks.
The invoice shows the date and time you passed through each toll plaza, the base toll amount for that location, the processing fee, and your total due. It also lists the payment deadline — typically 14 days from the invoice date — and multiple ways to pay.
If your vehicle registration is out of state, the tollway works with the other state's motor vehicle department to locate you. If the tollway cannot find a current address, the invoice may be returned as undeliverable, which can result in additional fees or a collections notice later.
Payment methods and where to pay
You can pay a Payment by Plate invoice in four ways: online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Online payment through the Illinois Tollway website (illinoistollway.com) is the fastest and most common method — you enter your invoice number and pay by credit card or debit card. Payment is usually processed the same day.
By phone, you can call the Illinois Tollway customer service line and provide your invoice number and payment information. A representative will process your payment over the phone, also using a credit or debit card.
By mail, you can send a check or money order to the address listed on your invoice. Mail payments take longer to process — typically five to seven business days after the tollway receives it — so send payment early if your deadline is approaching.
In-person payment is available at Illinois Tollway payment plazas and some retail locations, though this option is less common for Payment by Plate invoices. Call customer service to confirm a location near you accepts this payment method.
Processing fees and the cost difference from I-PASS
Every Payment by Plate invoice includes a processing fee on top of the base toll. The processing fee varies depending on the toll amount and the specific plaza, but it typically ranges from $0.75 to $2.00 per toll. This means a $1.50 toll becomes $2.25 to $3.50 when paid by plate.
By contrast, I-PASS transponder users pay only the base toll with no processing fee. If you use the Illinois Tollway more than a few times per year, the cumulative cost of Payment by Plate fees will exceed the cost of buying and maintaining an I-PASS account. An I-PASS transponder costs $25 to $40 upfront, but the per-toll savings add up quickly for regular drivers.
The tollway offers this pricing structure to encourage drivers to switch to transponders, which also speeds up traffic flow and reduces the need for toll booth infrastructure.
What happens if you miss the payment deadline
If you do not pay by the deadline on your invoice, the tollway will send a second notice. This notice includes the original toll and processing fee, plus a late fee — typically $10 to $25 depending on how far past the deadline you are. You then have another window to pay, usually 14 days from the second notice.
If you ignore the second notice, the account may be referred to a collections agency or the Illinois Secretary of State. At that point, the debt can affect your vehicle registration renewal. Some states will not renew your registration until the tollway debt is paid, which can result in a suspended license if you are caught driving with an expired registration.
If you believe an invoice is incorrect — for example, if you were not driving that vehicle on that date — contact the Illinois Tollway customer service line with details. You can dispute the charge, though you will need to provide evidence such as a police report if the vehicle was stolen, or documentation showing you were out of state.
Switching to I-PASS to avoid Payment by Plate
If you drive the Illinois Tollway regularly, opening an I-PASS account is simpler and cheaper than paying by plate each time. You can open an account online at illinoistollway.com, by phone, or in person at a tollway payment plaza. The process takes about 10 minutes online.
You choose a transponder type — a standard windshield-mounted device, a portable clip-on device, or a sticker for motorcycles. You then load money onto your account, and the transponder deducts the toll each time you pass through a plaza. Your account balance is replenished automatically when it drops below a threshold you set, so you do not have to remember to add money.
I-PASS accounts also give you access to discounts during off-peak hours on some tolls, further reducing your cost compared to Payment by Plate. If you have an out-of-state transponder from another toll system, you may be able to use it on the Illinois Tollway as well through reciprocal agreements, though you will still pay a slightly higher rate than I-PASS users.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to pay a Payment by Plate invoice?
You have 14 days from the invoice date to pay without incurring a late fee. The invoice will show the exact due date. If you pay after that date, a late fee is added to your bill, and you will receive a second notice with a new deadline.
Can I dispute a Payment by Plate charge?
Yes. Contact the Illinois Tollway customer service line with your invoice number and explain why you believe the charge is incorrect. If the vehicle was stolen or you were not the driver, provide documentation such as a police report or proof you were out of state on that date.
What happens if I never received my invoice?
If your address on file with the Secretary of State is outdated, the invoice may not reach you. Check your registration and update it if needed. You can also call the Illinois Tollway to ask if an invoice was mailed to you and request a copy be sent to your current address.
Is Payment by Plate the same as a toll violation?
No. Payment by Plate is a standard billing method, not a violation or penalty. You are simply being invoiced after the fact instead of paying at the booth or with a transponder. However, if you do not pay the invoice by the deadline, late fees and collection actions can follow.
Can I use a Payment by Plate invoice to set up an I-PASS account?
No, but you can open an I-PASS account at any time through the Illinois Tollway website or a payment plaza. Once your I-PASS account is active, future tolls will be charged to that account instead of being billed by plate, so you will stop receiving Payment by Plate invoices.