While traveling across the United States, you will certainly need to pay some tolls. Certain tunnels, bridges, and highways charge users a toll, either for the entire highway or express lanes only. To make traveling across the US states easier, authorities in various states have implemented all-electronic tolling so that drivers don’t have to stop at toll points. Paying tolls using the toll-by-plate option is now one of the most popular toll payment methods. Let’s dive deeper into what toll by plate is and how it works.

What is toll by plate?

Toll by plate is a payment option for customers who don’t have any of the accepted transponders while traveling on electronic toll collection facilities. In this tolling system, a picture of the vehicle’s license plate is taken as the vehicle travels through a toll point. It’s a form of electronic toll collection that uses video to identify a vehicle liable to pay a toll. After the recording or photo is taken, an invoice with the travel information is mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner.

Toll by plate – how does it work?

Toll by plate system (also called a video tolling system) is a toll collection point that doesn’t permit cash payment and an all-electronic collection is done using electronic means. Pay by plate means that the tag transponder wasn’t read, and the toll is to be charged based on a reading of a vehicle’s license plate. To make toll-by-plate payments easier, drivers can open a toll-by-plate account. It’s a convenient way to manage toll invoices easily. Under each account, four personally operated vehicles that aren’t registered to an E-ZPass account can be registered. To open an account, you only need your email address and vehicle license plate information. When you don’t have a toll-by-plate account, the tolling system looks up the vehicle registration information from a government motor vehicle registration database. Then, a bill is sent to the address in the database. An extra charge for the additional processing may be added.

How to pay toll by plate in various states?

Wondering which states enable toll-by-plate payment systems? Is Florida toll by plate possible? What is the SunPass toll by plate? Let’s explain the Florida example – if you pass a toll booth, in most cases, it is possible to pay a toll by plate. An invoice will be mailed to the vehicle’s owner for the toll incurred over a 30-day period. Keep in mind that the pay-by-plate option cannot be used on Florida Managed Lanes. If you travel in a managed lane without a tag transponder or a SunPass, you will be subject to a $25 daily violation charge.

SunPass toll by plate

Florida’s Prepaid Toll Program allows drivers to pay the lowest toll amount. It has a user-friendly website where you can add money to your account for your plate.

The complete list of US states and their toll payment options

In the table below, you will find comprehensive information about toll payment methods in the US states:

Toll-by-plate scams

Unfortunately, the last few years have shown that the toll-by-plate system is prone to scams. The method of the scam seems pretty straightforward. Scammers just use customized plates to make the victim pay tolls for them. Would it be a surprise for you to suddenly come across a vehicle with an identical registration just like yours? According to the police, thousands of vehicles on US roads may have cloned license plates. These can also be plates doctored in some way for unscrupulous purposes such as driving off without paying for gas. A sad fact is that cloning license plates are relatively easy. There are more and more online companies willing to issue registration plates without first seeing the vehicle registration certificate, which makes toll-by-plate scams simpler.

Another risk is purchasing a used vehicle. Experts recommend that buyers should be as thorough as possible before agreeing to buy a vehicle, especially from a private seller. You should be careful when the offer is too good to be true, e.g., when the price is low compared to the vehicle’s specification, or when the seller only accepts cash payments or appears to be in a hurry to sell. You should always check the car’s history in as many databases as possible. The information you obtain from a reputable source should match the information on the vehicle (such as the VIN number, the registration document, etc.). To improve the safety of your plates you can also get anti-theft screws from your local police station. Such plates shatter if anyone tries to remove them.

What to do if you become a victim of a toll-by-plate scam?

If you discover that your car’s plate has been cloned, you should immediately inform the police and provide them with every documentary evidence you can gather. The police will do anything possible to locate the cloned vehicle and the person responsible for this criminal activity. Once the plates are reported as stolen, the police will be instantly notified every time a static or mobile automatic number plate recognition camera detects them.

What is an alternative to pay by plate?

If you are about to drive on a toll road or cross a tolled bridge and do not want to pay the higher fees associated with the toll by plate, you can pay using a toll road billing app such as Uproad. With Uproad, you simply need to download the app to your smartphone and register your vehicle. Activation is usually completed within 24 hours. Uproad covers the cost of your tolls and offers violation protection, as well as the ability to drive on other toll roads around the country.

Additional Information:

1. Florida Toll by Plate: In the state of Florida, the Toll by Plate system has become increasingly popular as it offers an efficient way to pay tolls without the need for physical invoices.
2. Pay Toll by Plate Number: To pay tolls using Toll by Plate, you'll typically need your vehicle's license plate number handy.
3. Pay Tolls by Plate: Toll by Plate is a convenient method that allows commuters to pass through toll plazas without stopping to pay with cash or receiving an invoice.
4. Florida Pay by Plate: The Florida Toll by Plate system is managed by SunPass, and it's widely used on highways like the SunPass125 Toll Road.
5. Pay by Plate MA No Invoice Number: If you're in Massachusetts and want to pay by plate without an invoice number, you can use the Pay by Plate system, which doesn't require a traditional invoice.
6. Indiana Tollway Pay by Plate: Similarly, in Indiana, you can pay tolls by plate number without the need for an invoice through the Indiana Tollway's Pay by Plate service.
7. Toll by Plate Delaware: Delaware also offers the Toll by Plate option, allowing travelers to pay tolls conveniently without receiving an invoice.
8. NY Toll by Plate: New York (NY) residents and visitors can make use of the Toll by Plate service, providing a hassle-free way to pay tolls.
9. E-Pass Pay by Plate Without Invoice: In some regions, like Florida's E-Pass system, you can pay by plate without waiting for an invoice to arrive.
10. Toll-by-Plate Florida Pay Online: Most importantly, many states, including Florida, allow you to pay your Toll by Plate fees online, making the process even more convenient.
11. Payment Methods: When using Toll by Plate, you'll have various payment methods at your disposal, from prepaid accounts to paying with cash at customer service centers or toll plazas.
12. Unpaid Tolls and Plate Toll Invoice: Failing to pay tolls promptly can result in unpaid tolls and a plate toll invoice being sent to your vehicle's registration address.
13. Toll Payment Options: To avoid receiving invoices, explore your toll payment options, such as creating a prepaid account, which can simplify the process.
14. Receive an Invoice: If you prefer to receive an invoice, ensure that your vehicle registration information is up to date, so you receive your toll bills accurately.
15. 30 Days to Pay: Typically, you have a certain window, often 30 days, to pay your tolls before receiving an invoice in the mail.
16. Toll Bridge Pay by Plate Option: Many toll bridges offer the pay by plate option, allowing commuters to seamlessly cross without the need for cash or invoices.
17. License Plate Number: Make sure to correctly input your license plate number when paying tolls via the Toll by Plate system to ensure accurate processing.
18. Payment Information: Keep your payment information updated to avoid any issues when paying tolls through the Toll by Plate system.