ORLANDO, Fla. – If you’ve driven around Central Florida, you’ve probably noticed there are signs everywhere on our roads. From speed limits to exit directions to toll instructions, it can feel overwhelming.
But each sign serves a purpose, especially when it comes to toll roads.
One of the most common questions I hear is, “What is toll-by-plate and who has to pay it?”
Toll-by-plate is the system in place for drivers who don’t have a toll transponder in their vehicle.
[BELOW: Hey, Trooper Steve, can I legally drive barefoot in Fla.?]
Instead of paying at a toll booth or automatically through a transponder, cameras capture your license plate as you pass through a toll point.
A bill is then mailed to the registered owner of that vehicle.
The catch? The bill doesn’t show up instantly -- it can take weeks, sometimes even months.
And if you’re driving a rental car, things get even trickier. The toll invoice first goes to the rental car company, which then forwards the charge (and often adds extra fees) to you later.
That’s why it’s so important to keep an eye on those rental agreements and your mail. In fact, I’ve been billed twice before for the same trip, so always double-check.
At the end of the day, you’re going to pay. The only difference is how fast that bill finds its way to you.
[VIDEO BELOW: Trooper Steve discusses ‘left-lane lizards’]