What Pay by Plate means and how it works in Illinois

Pay by Plate is a system that lets you drive through Illinois toll plazas without stopping or having a toll tag in your car. Instead of paying at the booth or with a transponder, a camera photographs your license plate, and the toll authority mails you an invoice or charges your account later.

Illinois uses this system on the Illinois Tollway, which includes the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), and the Chicago Skyway. When you pass through a toll plaza, overhead cameras capture your plate number and the date and time. The Illinois Tollway then looks up your vehicle registration and sends you a bill.

Pay by Plate is not optional — it is the default method if you do not have a toll tag. Every vehicle that uses the Illinois Tollway without a transponder is charged this way, whether you are a regular commuter or passing through once.

Key Takeaways

  • Pay by Plate charges you automatically based on your license plate; you do not need to stop or carry a device.
  • The Illinois Tollway sends invoices by mail or email, depending on how your account is set up, usually within two weeks of your trip.
  • Toll rates vary by location and vehicle type; a passenger car on most Illinois Tollway segments costs between $0.70 and $1.50 per trip.
  • You can set up an online account to view charges, update your payment method, and receive bills by email instead of mail.
  • If you use the tollway regularly, a I-PASS transponder costs less per toll than Pay by Plate and lets you use express lanes.

How much you pay and when the bill arrives

Toll rates on the Illinois Tollway depend on which segment you use and what kind of vehicle you drive. A passenger car typically pays between $0.70 and $1.50 per toll plaza, though rates are higher during peak hours on some segments and lower during off-peak times. Trucks and vehicles with more than two axles pay higher rates. The Illinois Tollway website lists current rates by location.

After you pass through a toll plaza, the Illinois Tollway processes the plate image and mails an invoice to the address on your vehicle registration. This usually takes one to three weeks. If you have set up an online account and chosen email billing, you will receive a notice electronically instead. The invoice shows the date, time, location, and amount of each toll you were charged.

You can pay the invoice by mail, online through the Illinois Tollway website, by phone, or by automatic bank transfer if you set up a payment plan. Late payments may result in additional fees, and unpaid tolls can eventually affect your vehicle registration renewal.

Setting up an online account to manage your bills

Creating an account on the Illinois Tollway website lets you see your charges when ready after they are processed, rather than waiting for a paper bill. You can log in anytime to view your toll history, update your payment method, and switch to email billing.

To set up an account, visit the Illinois Tollway website and select the option to create a Pay by Plate account. You will need your vehicle's license plate number and the ZIP code on your vehicle registration. Once your account is active, you can add a credit card or bank account for automatic payments, which ensures you do not miss a due date.

An online account also lets you report if your plate was misread or if you were charged in error. The Illinois Tollway reviews these disputes and may refund incorrect charges if you provide supporting information.

The difference between Pay by Plate and I-PASS

I-PASS is an optional transponder — a small device you mount on your windshield that communicates with toll readers as you pass through. I-PASS holders pay a lower per-toll rate than Pay by Plate users and can use express lanes on some segments of the tollway. If you use the Illinois Tollway more than a few times a month, I-PASS usually costs less overall.

Pay by Plate is free to use; you pay only the toll itself. I-PASS requires you to open an account, load money onto it, and maintain a minimum balance. However, I-PASS tolls are typically 20 to 30 percent cheaper than Pay by Plate tolls for the same trip. You can purchase an I-PASS transponder online or at retail locations, and you can switch to I-PASS at any time if you decide the savings are worth it.

If you have an I-PASS but it is not working or you forget it one day, the tollway will still charge you using Pay by Plate at the higher rate. You will not be double-charged, but you will pay more than if your transponder had worked.

What happens if you do not pay or if your bill is wrong

If you do not pay a Pay by Plate invoice within the due date shown on your bill, the Illinois Tollway may send a second notice with a late fee added. If you continue not to pay, the debt can be referred to a collection agency, and unpaid tolls may prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration or obtaining a new license plate.

If you believe you were charged incorrectly — for example, your plate was misread or you were charged twice for one trip — you can dispute the charge through your online account or by calling the Illinois Tollway customer service line. You will need to provide details about the trip, such as the date, time, and location. The tollway reviews disputes and typically responds within 30 days.

If you were charged for a trip you did not make, report it as soon as possible. Provide any evidence you have, such as a photo of your vehicle in a different location at that time or a receipt showing you were elsewhere. The tollway may refund the charge if the evidence supports your claim.

Traveling through Illinois tolls if you live out of state

If your vehicle is registered in another state, the Illinois Tollway will still mail an invoice to the address on your out-of-state registration. The process is the same: your plate is photographed, and you receive a bill by mail within a few weeks.

You can pay the bill online using the Illinois Tollway website, even if you do not have an Illinois address. You will need your license plate number and the ZIP code from your vehicle registration. Some out-of-state drivers set up I-PASS accounts instead, which works the same way as it does for Illinois residents.

If you travel through Illinois tolls regularly and live out of state, I-PASS may be more convenient than waiting for invoices by mail. You can purchase a transponder online and have it shipped to your address, and you will see charges in real time through your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to pay a Pay by Plate invoice?

The due date is printed on your invoice, usually 30 days from the date the bill was mailed. If you pay online or by phone, the payment posts when ready. If you mail a check, allow extra time for it to arrive and be processed.

Can I get a refund if I paid a toll by mistake?

If you were charged for a toll you did not incur — for example, your plate was misread or you were charged twice — you can dispute it through your online account or by contacting customer service. Provide as much detail as you can about the trip or the error, and the tollway will investigate.

What if I move and my address changes?

Update your address with your state's vehicle registration office. The Illinois Tollway uses the address on file with your state's DMV, so changing it there ensures future invoices go to the correct location. If you have an online account, you can also update your email address to receive bills electronically.

Do I have to use I-PASS, or can I stick with Pay by Plate?

Pay by Plate is always an option. You do not have to buy an I-PASS transponder. However, if you use the tollway regularly, I-PASS saves money because tolls are cheaper. Pay by Plate works fine for occasional trips.

What happens if my license plate is unreadable or obscured?

If the camera cannot read your plate clearly, the Illinois Tollway may not be able to send you a bill. However, if they do identify your vehicle, you will still be charged. Keep your plate clean and visible to avoid disputes or missed charges. If you believe your plate was not read, contact customer service with the date and time of your trip.