What "pay by plate" means and how it works
Pay by plate is a system that lets you drive through Florida toll plazas without stopping or using a transponder. Instead of paying at a booth or with a device mounted on your windshield, the toll authority photographs your license plate, identifies the vehicle owner, and sends an invoice by mail.
When you drive through a toll plaza without a transponder or cash payment method, the camera captures your plate number. The toll road operator — usually the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) or a regional toll authority — looks up your vehicle registration and mails you a bill. You then pay that bill within a set timeframe, typically 30 days.
This system exists because not every driver has a transponder, and some toll plazas no longer have cash lanes. Pay by plate ensures the toll gets collected even when you cannot stop or use electronic payment in the moment.
Key Takeaways
- Pay by plate sends you a mailed invoice after the camera reads your license plate, and you have roughly 30 days to pay.
- Florida's major toll roads — the Turnpike, Sunpass roads, and regional toll authorities — all use plate-reading cameras at some or all plazas.
- Paying by plate costs more than using a Sunpass transponder, and late payments trigger additional fees and potential vehicle registration holds.
- If you drive tolls frequently, getting a Sunpass transponder saves money and avoids the mail-based payment process.
- You can dispute a toll charge if the plate was misread or if you believe you were charged in error.
Which Florida toll roads use pay by plate
The Florida Turnpike, operated by FDOT, uses pay by plate at all plazas. When you drive through a Turnpike toll booth without a transponder or cash, your plate is photographed and you receive an invoice.
Regional toll authorities also use this system. The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX), the Hillsborough County Expressway Authority (HCET), the Broward County Expressway Authority (BCEA), and the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX) all photograph plates and mail invoices. Sunpass roads — the network of toll facilities that accept the Sunpass transponder — also photograph plates as a backup payment method.
If you are unsure whether a specific road uses pay by plate, check the toll authority's website before you drive. Most regional authorities list which plazas have cameras and which still have cash or transponder-only lanes.
How much you pay and what fees explore
The toll amount itself depends on the road and the distance traveled. A short Turnpike segment might cost $1.50, while a longer drive could be $5 or more. These base rates are the same whether you use a transponder or pay by plate.
However, pay by plate includes an additional administrative fee. This fee varies by toll authority but typically ranges from $1 to $2.50 per transaction. So a $2 toll becomes $3.50 to $4.50 when paid by plate. Sunpass transponder users pay only the base toll with no extra charge.
If you do not pay within 30 days, late fees begin to accumulate. Most toll authorities add $2.50 to $5 per unpaid invoice. If the bill remains unpaid for several months, the debt can be referred to a collection agency, and your vehicle registration renewal may be blocked by the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
How to pay a toll-by-plate invoice when it arrives
When you receive a pay-by-plate invoice in the mail, it will include the toll amount, the administrative fee, the due date, and payment instructions. Most invoices can be paid online, by phone, or by mail.
To pay online, visit the toll authority's website — for example, floridasturnpike.com for Turnpike invoices, or the specific regional authority's site. Enter your invoice number and the amount due, then pay by credit card, debit card, or bank account transfer. Payment usually posts within one to three business days.
To pay by phone, call the toll authority's customer service number listed on your invoice. A representative will take your payment information over the phone. To pay by mail, write a check or money order, include your invoice number, and mail it to the address shown on the bill. Mail payments take longer to process — typically five to ten business days — so send them early if the due date is approaching.
Keep your payment confirmation or receipt. If a second invoice arrives for the same toll, you will have proof that you already paid.
Getting a Sunpass transponder to avoid pay by plate
If you drive Florida tolls regularly, a Sunpass transponder is cheaper and more convenient than pay by plate. The transponder is a small device you mount on your windshield. When you drive through a toll plaza, the device communicates with the toll reader, and the charge is deducted from your prepaid account.
Sunpass transponders are free to obtain. You can order one online at sunpass.com, by phone at 1-888-865-8627, or in person at a Sunpass customer service center. The device arrives by mail within five to seven business days. You then set up a prepaid account, load money onto it, and your tolls are deducted automatically as you drive.
With Sunpass, you pay only the base toll — no administrative fee. If you drive tolls once or twice a month, the savings are modest. If you drive tolls several times a week, the transponder pays for itself in a few months by eliminating those extra fees.
Sunpass works on the Florida Turnpike, CFX roads, HCET roads, BCEA roads, MDX roads, and many other toll facilities across Florida. It also works in other states that accept the Sunpass standard, though coverage varies.
What to do if you receive a pay-by-plate invoice you believe is wrong
If your invoice shows a toll you do not remember driving, or if the amount seems incorrect, you can dispute it. Contact the toll authority that issued the invoice — the authority name appears on the bill. Most authorities have a customer service phone number and an online dispute form.
When you dispute, explain what you believe is wrong. For example: "I did not drive this road on this date" or "I was charged twice for the same toll." Provide your invoice number and any supporting information, such as credit card statements showing you were elsewhere, or a receipt from a Sunpass payment if you believe you already paid with a transponder.
The toll authority will investigate. If the plate was misread or if you were charged in error, the invoice will be cancelled or corrected. If the authority confirms the charge is correct, you will be notified and asked to pay. The dispute process typically takes two to four weeks.
Do not ignore an invoice while disputing it. If the dispute is not resolved by the due date, late fees will begin to accrue. Pay the invoice by the important date, then request a refund once the dispute is resolved in your favor.
Consequences of not paying a pay-by-plate invoice
Unpaid toll invoices create problems that extend beyond the toll authority. If you do not pay within 30 days, late fees are added. After 60 to 90 days, depending on the authority, the debt may be referred to a collection agency. Collection agencies report unpaid debts to credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score.
More when ready, unpaid toll debt can trigger a vehicle registration hold. When you try to renew your vehicle registration with the Florida DMV, the system will flag the unpaid toll debt and block renewal until the bill is paid. This means you cannot legally drive the vehicle.
In some cases, toll authorities can pursue legal action to recover the debt, though this is less common for small individual invoices. The best approach is to pay invoices on time. If you cannot pay by the due date, contact the toll authority to ask about payment plans or hardship options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Sunpass transponder if I do not own a car?
No, Sunpass requires vehicle registration in your name. You can order a transponder for any vehicle you own or lease, but you must be the registered owner or have written permission from the owner. If you rent a car, ask the rental company whether the vehicle has a transponder already installed.
What happens if my license plate is misread by the camera?
If the camera reads your plate incorrectly, you may receive an invoice for a vehicle you do not own, or the toll authority may not be able to locate you. If you receive an invoice for a vehicle that is not yours, contact the toll authority when ready with your vehicle registration to correct the error. If you never receive an invoice but believe you drove a toll road, you do not owe anything — the toll authority is responsible for collecting the toll.
Can I pay a toll-by-plate invoice with a credit card?
Yes, most toll authorities accept credit cards and debit cards for online and phone payments. Some also accept bank account transfers. Check your invoice or the toll authority's website for accepted payment methods. Credit card payments typically post within one to three business days.
Do I have to use pay by plate if I have a Sunpass?
No. If you have a Sunpass transponder mounted on your windshield, the toll reader will detect it and charge your Sunpass account instead of photographing your plate. You will not receive a pay-by-plate invoice. Make sure your Sunpass account has sufficient funds to avoid overdraft fees.
What if I move and the toll authority sends my invoice to the wrong address?
Update your vehicle registration with the Florida DMV as soon as you move. The toll authority uses DMV records to mail invoices, so an updated address ensures you receive bills on time. If you already missed an invoice because it went to an old address, contact the toll authority with your new address and ask them to resend the invoice or extend the due date.