Tolls, E-PASS and driving in Orlando
Orlando's toll roads are all-electronic. Here's how to drive them with our cars, what it costs, and what happens if you miss a toll.
How Orlando's Electronic Tolling Works
All toll roads in the Orlando area are electronic. There are no booths to stop at, no coins to toss into a basket. When you drive on SR 528, SR 417, SR 408, SR 429, or Florida's Turnpike, a gantry overhead reads a transponder or a camera photographs your license plate. The toll is then billed to the owner of the car.
Every car in our fleet comes set up for electronic tolling. We use E-PASS, which works on every toll road in Florida, and we also accept SunPass and E-ZPass transponders if you bring your own. If you have a transponder in your car, the toll is deducted automatically and you pay the discounted rate. If you don't have one, the camera reads your plate and you are billed at a higher rate.
We recommend using a transponder. It is cheaper and avoids any delay in billing. If you are flying into Orlando International Airport (MCO) and also departing from MCO, you can pick up a free CFX Visitor Toll Pass at the airport. It works just like E-PASS and gives you the transponder rate for up to 90 days. The Visitor Toll Pass is not available at Orlando Sanford Airport (SFB).
When you return the car, we review the toll transactions recorded during your rental. We then invoice you for the exact toll amounts, as agreed in the rental agreement. There is no guesswork, and you only pay for the tolls you actually drove.
What Tolls Cost and Who Pays
Typical tolls in the area are modest. For example, driving from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to International Drive on SR 528 costs about $1.75 to $2.50. From MCO to Lake Buena Vista on SR 417, expect around $3 to $5. To Port Canaveral, the toll on SR 528 is about $3 to $4. The exact amount depends on your route and time of day.
Tolls are not included in your rental rate. You pay for the tolls you incur, plus any applicable fees. If you use a transponder, you pay the lower transponder rate. Without a transponder, the pay-by-plate rate is higher: on CFX roads it is double the E-PASS rate; on Florida's Turnpike it is about 25% more plus a $2.50 statement fee. The I-4 Express lanes accept only transponders, so if you drive there without one, you will get a citation instead of a bill.
All our rental prices are shown before tax. When you pay, we add the 6.5% Florida sales tax (or 7.5% in Osceola County, 7% in Seminole and Polk County, depending on where you pick up the car) and the $2 per day Florida rental car surcharge for the first 30 days. Tolls are billed separately, at the amounts recorded by the toll agency.
Who pays? You do, as the driver. If a toll goes unpaid, the toll authority bills the car's owner — that's us — and we re-invoice you. This is required by Florida law. The same applies to red-light camera tickets ($158) and school-zone camera tickets ($100). These are your responsibility.
What Happens If You Miss a Toll or Get a Ticket
Sometimes you might accidentally drive into a toll lane without a transponder, or you might not realize you entered a toll road. If that happens, the camera will capture your license plate, and the toll authority will send a bill to us as the vehicle's owner. We then forward that bill to you, along with any administrative fees the authority charges. Any administrative fee for re-invoicing is set out in the rental agreement.
If you get a red-light or school-zone camera ticket, the same process applies: the ticket is issued to the car's owner, and we re-invoice you for the amount shown on the ticket. These tickets are not moving violations, so they do not affect your driving record, but they do carry fines.
To avoid these issues, always carry a transponder or use the Visitor Toll Pass if you are eligible. If you are unsure whether a road is a toll road, look for signs. Free roads in the area include the general lanes of I-4, I-95, US-192, SR 50, and SR 436. When in doubt, stick to those.
If you have any questions about tolls or anything related to your rental, contact us on WhatsApp or by phone. We answer within a few hours during business hours, and we are happy to clarify any charges before you return the car.
FAQ
Do I need an E-PASS transponder to drive on Orlando toll roads?
No, you can drive on toll roads without a transponder. A camera will photograph your license plate, and the toll will be billed to the car's owner, who will re-invoice you. However, using a transponder gives you a lower rate and avoids delays. We set up every car with E-PASS, and you can also use SunPass or E-ZPass if you have one.
What is the CFX Visitor Toll Pass and how do I get it?
The CFX Visitor Toll Pass is a free transponder for travelers who arrive and depart through Orlando International Airport (MCO). You can pick one up at machines in terminals A and B on Level 1 and terminal C on Level 4. It requires a $10 refundable deposit and is valid for up to 90 days. It is not available at Orlando Sanford Airport (SFB).
Will I be charged for tolls if I use my own SunPass or E-ZPass?
If you have your own SunPass or E-ZPass transponder, you can use it in our car, and the tolls will be deducted from your own account. Just make sure to remove it before returning the car. If you use a transponder from a different agency, be aware that having two transponders in one car will result in double charges, so remove any we provide.
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