19 Tips For Using Sydney Toll Roads

Driving in Sydney can be expensive as the various tollelectronic motorways. Currently, motorcycles are not
roads are the quickest and easiest way to get fromcharged administration fees for passes. For all other
one side of the city to another by car.toll roads, you can use a tag or pay cash.
There are 9 toll roads in NSW. They are:9. Do I have to pay the toll?
* the M2Motorists are required by law to pay the toll when
* the M5they drive on a toll road. The fine for not paying a
* the M7toll exceeds $140.
* the Eastern Distributor10. What's the difference between a tag and a pass?
* the Sydney Harbour TunnelA tag is an electronic device that you purchase from
* the Sydney Harbour Bridgea tag provider and attach to the inside of your
* the Cross City Tunnelvehicle's windscreen. All tags work on all motorways
* the Lane Cove Tunnel andin Australia. Different tag products are available from
* the Falcon St Gateway.each of the motorway operators, all with different
Some toll roads allow you to pay the toll by cash butsetup and running costs.
others only accept E-Tags. All E-Tags from VictoriaWhen you travel through a toll collection point,
and Queensland work on Sydney toll roads.sensors detect the tag and the toll is automatically
If you do not have an E-Tag you must pay by cashcharged to your toll account. There are no additional
(where available) or pay by credit card by ringing thecosts for using most tag products.
appropriate number displayed on the tollway withinA pass is an arrangement between you and a
48 hours of passing through the toll collection point. Ifmotorway to use that motorway for an agreed
you are visiting Sydney and do not have an E-Tag,period of time. You provide your number plate details
or cannot access a cash booth, you will need to ringto the motorway operator and they will charge the
the toll road operator in order to pay the toll usingtoll and any applicable setup and administration fees
your credit card.to your credit card or bank account. There may be
The toll road operator will charge a fee to acceptadditional charges for using a pass. You need to
your payment by credit card. Note that cash boothscontact the relevant motorway operator for more
are usually un-manned so it helps if you have somedetails.
small change to pay the toll using the automatic11. How do I get an electronic tag or pass?
collection booths.There are a range of electronic tag and pass
Failure to pay tolls within 48 hours will result in anproducts available through different providers. Each
infringement notice being issued. This will be sent tooperator may apply different charges, deposits and
the hire car company who will pass it on to you.top-up amounts. To find out more about the
Note that the car rental company will charge andifferent products available, contact the relevant
Administration Fee for processing an infringementmotorway operator from the list above.
notice. For example, Thrifty car rental have a $35.0012. Does it cost more to use a tag or a pass?
fee for processing any infringement notices.Most tag providers offer tag products with a tag
For details of toll charges visit the relevant motorwaysecurity deposit. Once you pay the deposit, all you
website or go to the Sydney Motorways website topay for is the tolls (providing your tag is used
calculate the toll for trips around the entire network.correctly). However some tag providers offer
Time of day tolling has been introduced on thedifferent tag products, for example, a monthly tag
Sydney Harbour crossings. For more informationfee rather than an upfront security deposit. If you
about time-of-day tolling charges visit the Sydneyuse a pass, you will be charged an additional
Motorways website. So, when driving a Sydneyadministration fee for each trip.
rental car be sure to take note of the many toll road13. Can I use any tag on any toll road?
signs and be prepared to pay to drive. The best wayYes, which ever tag you have - RTA E-Toll, Roam
to pay for tourist or occasional travel is with anExpress E-Tag, E way, Roam e-TAG, or any tag
electronic pass. Visit the Roam or Roam Expresswithin Australia - you can use it on every toll road in
websites for more information or to purchase a pass.Australia. Your tag will beep as you drive past toll
Here are 19 tips for using Sydney toll roads:collection points and the toll will be charged to your
1. What is Cashback?account.
Cashback allows NSW residents to claim back the14. Can I use a pass on any toll road?
value of tolls (excluding GST) paid while drivingYes, you can use a pass on any toll road in Sydney.
privately registered vehicles on the M5 motorway.For more information please contact your pass
More information on Cashback.provider.
2. I have a tag from a different state (eg Melbourne15. Do I have to stop at toll booths if I have an
Citylink), am I able to claim Cashback?electronic tag?
No. Cashback is only available to NSW residents withNo. You don't need to come to a complete stop, but
an electronic tag from a NSW tag provider.please slow down and drive carefully as some booths
3. How much are the tolls?have boom gates and tolling staff may be crossing a
The motorway operator sets the toll for each road.lane. When approaching and travelling through 'E' only
Tolls on full electronic toll roads are subject tolanes, you should drive to the posted speed limit to
quarterly Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases. Forensure your electronic tag can be scanned.
toll charges visit the relevant motorway website or16. What should I do if I drive through an 'E' lane or
go to the Sydney Motorways website to calculateuse a fully electronic toll road without an electronic
the toll for trips around the entire network. If youtag?
have a tag, the toll is all you will pay (providing yourOn fully electronic toll roads - the Sydney Harbour
tag is used correctly). If you use a pass, you mayTunnel, Cross City tunnel, Westlink M7, Lane Cove
also be charged an administration fee.Tunnel and Military Road E-Ramps - you will need to
4. How can I get an electronic tag or pass?arrange a pass by contacting the toll road operator
There are a range of electronic tag products availablewithin 48 hours of your trip. For all other toll roads,
through different providers. Each provider may applycall the number on the signs at the toll collection
different charges, deposits and top-up amounts. Topoints to report the trip. If you do not contact the
find out more about the different products available,motorway, you will receive a toll notice in the mail
contact your preferred provider from the followingwhich you will need to pay. There will be additional
list:fees or charges.
* RTA E-Toll, Phone: 131 86517. Is there a fine for using an 'E' lane or a fully
* E-way, Phone: 1300 555 833electronic toll road without having an electronic tag?
* Roam Express, Phone: 13 ROAM (13 76 26)There are additional fees and charges for using a fully
* Roam, Phone: 13 TOLL (13 86 55).electronic toll road or lane without a tag. You will
5. Can I use a tag on any toll road?need to contact the relevant toll road operator. If
Yes, all electronic tags, including interstate tags, areyou receive a toll notice and do not pay the toll and
fully interoperable meaning they work on all toll roadsany applicable administration fees, you can be fined.
in Australia.18. I don't have a tag or a pass, can I still use a fully
6. What should I do if I drive through an E lane orelectronic road?
use a fully electronic toll road without an electronicYes, you can use a fully electronic motorway at any
tag?time, but you will need to arrange a pass either
You will need to arrange a pass within 48 hours ofbefore or shortly after your trip. Road signs on the
your trip. Passes are available from the following tollmotorway will show the phone number and website
providers:details. Contact the relevant fully electronic
* RTA E-Tollmotorway for details. Sydney's fully electronic
* Roam Expressmotorways are the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Cross
* Roam.City Tunnel, M7, Lane Cove Tunnel and Military Road
7. I don't have a tag or a pass, can I still use a fullyE-Ramps.
electronic road?19. What do I do if I am just visiting Sydney for a
Yes, you can use a fully electronic motorway at anyshort time?
time, but you will need to arrange a pass within 48The simplest way to fund tourist or perhaps
hours of your trip. Road signs on the motorway willinfrequent traveling is with an electronic pass. Visit
show the phone number and website details.the Roam or Roam Express website for more
8. I ride a motorcycle what do I do?information in order to purchase a pass.
Motorcyclists can use a tag or a pass on fully