NY E-ZPass rental car drivers must pay tolls on bridges, tunnels, and highways across New York State. Most tolls are now cashless, so a camera reads your license plate or a transponder reads your E-ZPass signal. Rental car companies add their own daily fees and per-toll fees on top of each toll. This page covers how the system works, what each company charges, and how to lower your total bill.
New York tolling is run by three main agencies. The New York State Thruway Authority handles the Thruway, the Tappan Zee Bridge (now the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge), and the E-ZPass NY program. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey runs the George Washington Bridge, the Lincoln Tunnel, the Holland Tunnel, the Bayonne Bridge, the Goethals Bridge, and the Outerbridge Crossing. The MTA runs all other bridges and tunnels in New York City.
How the E-ZPass Rental Car Program Works in New York
Most major rental car companies in New York enroll every car in a toll program. You drive through a toll lane, the transponder sends a signal, and the toll is billed to your rental agreement. The rental company then charges the toll amount plus a service fee to your credit card on file.
Some companies let you decline the toll program. Others enroll you the moment you pass a toll. At airport locations like JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark, the toll program is often added by default. You must ask the agent to remove it before you sign the rental contract.
E-ZPass vs. Tolls by Plate in Rental Cars
E-ZPass uses a small transponder mounted on your windshield. The transponder sends a radio signal to the toll reader. The toll is deducted from your E-ZPass account at the lower E-ZPass rate.
Tolls by Plate uses a camera to read your license plate. The toll authority mails a bill to the registered plate owner. For rental cars, the bill goes to the rental company. The rental company pays the bill and adds a handling fee to your credit card. Tolls by Plate rates are higher than E-ZPass rates. On the George Washington Bridge, E-ZPass costs $11.75 and Tolls by Plate costs $13.75. The extra $2.00 covers billing costs.
PlatePass and Similar Rental Toll Programs
PlatePass is a third-party service used by Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Dollar Thrifty. Visit Delaware Locations It links your rental agreement to toll charges. The daily fee ranges from $4.95 to $9.99. The per-toll convenience fee is often $3.95 or more. One $6.00 toll can cost $9.95 after PlatePass fees.
Rental Car Toll Fees in New York by Company
Rental car toll fees in New York include the actual toll plus rental company service fees. Fees vary a lot by brand. Read the rental agreement before you sign to see the exact charges.
| Company | Daily Fee | Per-Toll Fee | Program Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hertz | $6.99 | $3.00 | Hertz Toll Pass / PlatePass |
| Enterprise | $3.95 | $2.95 – $3.95 | TollPass |
| Avis | $5.95 | $3.50 | PlatePass |
| Budget | $5.95 | $3.50 | PlatePass |
| Dollar / Thrifty | $5.95 | $3.50 | PlatePass |
| Sixt | $7.99 | None | Sixt E-ZPass Add-on |
The Hertz toll pass program NY charges $6.99 per day plus $3.00 per toll. A 5-day Hertz rental with 4 tolls costs $34.96 in Hertz fees, on top of the toll prices. Enterprise E-ZPass rental car fees are lower at $3.95 per day, but per-toll fees are similar. Avis toll fees New York, Budget rental car E-ZPass, and Dollar Thrifty toll charges NY all use the same PlatePass rates. Sixt E-ZPass rental New York charges $7.99 per day with no per-toll fee, but the daily rate is the highest.
Major New York Toll Roads and Bridges for Rental Cars
New York has dozens of tolled bridges, tunnels, and highways. Most now use cashless tolling. Your rental car transponder or plate read triggers a charge at each one.
Port Authority Tolls Rental Car
The Port Authority runs the George Washington Bridge, the Lincoln Tunnel, the Holland Tunnel, the Bayonne Bridge, the Goethals Bridge, and the Outerbridge Crossing. All use cashless tolling as of 2026.
- George Washington Bridge toll rental car: $11.75 E-ZPass / $13.75 Tolls by Plate
- Lincoln Tunnel toll rental car: $13.06 E-ZPass / $15.06 Tolls by Plate
- Holland Tunnel toll rental: $13.06 E-ZPass / $15.06 Tolls by Plate
- Bayonne Bridge: $6.13 E-ZPass / $8.13 Tolls by Plate
- Goethals Bridge: $8.75 E-ZPass / $10.75 Tolls by Plate
- Outerbridge Crossing: $8.75 E-ZPass / $10.75 Tolls by Plate
MTA Tolls Rental Car
The MTA runs most bridges and tunnels in New York City. All are now cashless.
- Verrazano-Narrows Bridge toll rental: $6.94 E-ZPass (only NYC-bound)
- Henry Hudson Bridge toll rental: $3.18 E-ZPass / $5.18 Tolls by Plate
- Cross Island Parkway toll rental: $2.55 E-ZPass / $4.55 Tolls by Plate
- Bronx-Whitestone Bridge toll rental car: $6.94 E-ZPass / $8.94 Tolls by Plate
- Throgs Neck Bridge toll rental car: $6.94 E-ZPass / $8.94 Tolls by Plate
- Queens-Midtown Tunnel rental toll: $6.94 E-ZPass / $8.94 Tolls by Plate
- Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel toll rental: $6.94 E-ZPass / $8.94 Tolls by Plate
NY Thruway Tolls Rental and Hudson River Crossings
The New York State Thruway (I-87 and I-90) is mostly cashless. PA Service Center Login NY Thruway tolls rental drivers pay between Exit 1 and Exit 24A. The Tappan Zee Bridge cashless tolls rental section now uses the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. E-ZPass southbound costs $5.75. Tolls by Plate southbound costs $7.75. Northbound is free. A trip from NYC to Albany on the Thruway can cost $20 to $30 in tolls.
NYC Congestion Pricing and Rental Cars
NYC congestion pricing started in January 2026. Cars entering Manhattan south of 60th Street pay $9.00 during peak hours with E-ZPass. Peak hours run from 5 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 9 PM on weekends.
Rental cars get hit with the congestion surcharge rental car NY charge automatically. If you do not have E-ZPass, Tolls by Plate adds a $2.50 surcharge. Some rental companies add their own daily congestion fee on top of this charge.
How to Pay Tolls in a Rental Car in NY
You have three main options for paying tolls in a rental car in New York.
- Use the rental company toll program: The easiest option. Just drive. You pay daily fees plus per-toll fees.
- Use your own E-ZPass: Mount your personal transponder in the rental car. You pay the lower E-ZPass rate. Remove it before you return the car.
- Pay tolls after returning the rental car: Some companies let you pay tolls through their website within 30 days of the rental.
Using Your Own E-ZPass in a Rental Car
You can use your personal E-ZPass in most rental cars. Mount the transponder on the windshield before you drive. Add the rental car license plate to your E-ZPass account online. The system charges the correct vehicle when you pass a toll.
Remove the transponder before you return the rental car. Lost E-ZPass transponders cost $20 to $25 to replace through the official E-ZPass NY website.
Paying Tolls After Returning the Rental Car NY
After your rental, you can pay unpaid tolls on the official E-ZPass NY site. Maine Fees And Costs Look for the Pay Tolls by Plate link. You need the rental car license plate and the date of the toll.
You have 30 days to pay Tolls by Plate charges before a violation is issued. After 30 days, the violation goes to the rental company. The rental company then adds a violation fee to your credit card on file.
Avoiding High Toll Fees on Rental Cars in NY
You can cut your toll costs with a few simple steps.
- Bring your own E-ZPass transponder and mount it in the rental car
- Check if your credit card offers a free E-ZPass benefit
- Plan routes that avoid the NY Thruway when possible
- Use Google Maps or Waze to find toll-free alternatives
- Decline the rental company toll program if you do not plan to use tolls
Bringing your own E-ZPass is the best way to lower the E-ZPass vs toll pass rental car cost gap. You pay the toll at the regular E-ZPass rate with no daily or per-toll fees from the rental company.
Rental Car Toll Violations in New York
A rental car toll violation NY happens when you pass a toll without paying. The toll authority sends a notice to the registered plate owner. For rental cars, the rental company gets the notice.
Rental companies charge $25 to $50 per violation. They pass the toll amount plus their fee to your credit card. Some companies also report unpaid violations to collections.
You can fight a rental car toll violation. Contact E-ZPass NY customer service with proof of payment. If the rental company charged you for a toll you already paid, request a refund in writing within 60 days.
Airport Tolls at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark
Driving a rental car from JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark often means hitting tolls right away. The airport access roads connect to the Grand Central Parkway, Van Wyck Expressway, and New Jersey Turnpike. All have tolls.
- From LaGuardia to Manhattan: $6.94 in MTA tolls plus congestion pricing
- From JFK to Manhattan: $6.94 in MTA tolls plus congestion pricing
- From Newark to Manhattan: $16.05 in Port Authority tolls plus congestion pricing
Make sure your rental car has a working transponder before you leave the airport. You cannot pay cash at most New York tolls anymore.
E-ZPass Customer Service for Rental Car Users
E-ZPass NY customer service is open Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM, and Saturday 8 AM to 12 PM. The phone number is 1-800-333-8655. You can also send a message through the official website at e-zpassny.com.
The E-ZPass NY office address is:
New York State Thruway Authority
200 Southern Boulevard
Albany, NY 12209
Use Google Maps at the official E-ZPass NY website to get directions to the office. Visiting hours are 8 AM to 4 PM on weekdays for in-person help with account issues, lost transponders, and toll disputes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQ below covers the most common questions about NY E-ZPass rental cars. Each answer gives you a clear next step based on the latest 2026 rules and toll rates from the New York State Thruway Authority, the Port Authority, and the MTA.
Can I use my own E-ZPass in a rental car in New York?
Yes. You can mount your personal E-ZPass transponder in a rental car. Add the rental car license plate to your E-ZPass account first through the official website. You pay the regular E-ZPass rate with no daily fee from the rental company. Remove the transponder before you return the car. Lost E-ZPass transponders cost $20 to $25 to replace through E-ZPass NY customer service. Some rental companies at airport locations may not allow personal transponders, so check your rental agreement before you sign.
How much does E-ZPass cost in a rental car in NY?
The toll cost is the same as a personal E-ZPass. The extra cost comes from rental company service fees. Hertz charges $6.99 per day plus $3.00 per toll. Enterprise charges $3.95 per day plus $2.95 to $3.95 per toll. Avis and Budget charge $5.95 per day plus $3.50 per toll. Sixt charges $7.99 per day with no per-toll fee. A 5-day Hertz rental with 4 tolls on the NY Thruway and George Washington Bridge can cost $34.96 in Hertz fees on top of $50 in actual tolls.
What happens if I do not pay tolls in a rental car?
The toll authority sends a Tolls by Plate bill to the rental company. The rental company pays the bill and adds a $25 to $50 violation fee to your credit card. Unpaid violations can go to collections and affect your credit score. Pay tolls at e-zpassny.com within 30 days to avoid the violation fee. Keep your rental agreement and proof of payment in case you need to dispute a charge.
Do I have to pay congestion pricing on a rental car in NYC?
Yes. Kentucky Dispute Information NYC congestion pricing charges apply to all vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street during peak hours. The charge is $9.00 with E-ZPass and $11.50 with Tolls by Plate. Peak hours run 5 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 9 PM on weekends. Rental companies do not waive this fee. The charge is added to your rental bill through the rental company toll program or through Tolls by Plate billing.
Can I avoid the rental company daily toll fee?
Yes. Decline the toll program at the rental counter when you pick up the car. Use your own E-ZPass transponder instead. You pay the E-ZPass rate with no daily fee. Some companies force you to accept the toll program at airport locations, so check the rental agreement before you sign. If the agent will not remove the fee, take your business to a different rental company or a different location.
What is the difference between E-ZPass and Tolls by Plate in a rental car?
E-ZPass uses a transponder on your windshield to pay the lower toll rate. Tolls by Plate uses a camera to read your license plate. The bill goes to the rental company, which charges your credit card plus a handling fee. Tolls by Plate costs $2.00 more per toll on most Port Authority crossings. On MTA bridges and tunnels, Tolls by Plate costs $2.00 more. The higher rate covers the cost of mailing the bill and processing the payment through the rental company.
How do I dispute a rental car toll charge in New York?
Call E-ZPass NY customer service at 1-800-333-8655. Have your rental agreement, the toll notice, and proof of payment ready. The customer service team can review the toll record and confirm if you already paid. If the rental company charged you for a toll you already paid, request a refund in writing within 60 days of the charge. Send the refund request to the rental company billing department and keep a copy for your records.