Toll Roads and SunPass

[moremouse]

We'll be going to and from Orlando and the port twice during our next vacation. I NEVER carry cash or change. I'm totally a debit card girl. People have mentioned getting a SunPass to cover the tolls during our visit. Does anyone think it would be a waste?

That being said, I DO think the idea of having the sticker would be cool. Tech-junkie.

I see that they're 4.99 for the sticker and then you can load it with any amount over $10.

What say you Florida residents?

 

[rhinodadz]

It will save you a tremendous amount of time and aggravation! IMHO it will be one of the best $5 you spend on your trip.

 

[moremouse]

It will save you a tremendous amount of time and aggravation! IMHO it will be one of the best $5 you spend on your trip.

Thanks rhinodadz! I think it looks so much easier. I see that they also have a pay-by-plate kind of thing, but that sort of freaks me out. I'd feel like a criminal.

Somehow I'd get stopped or something.

 

[wmson2000]

NOT a waste at all. We did this 3 years ago and have been very pleased with the convenience

 

[rhinodadz]

. I see that they also have a pay-by-plate kind of thing, but that sort of freaks me out.

I believe the pay-by-plate is only good on a section of the Turnpike in the Miami area. Otherwise, if you go through a Sunpass lane without the sticker you'll get a violation notice in the mail that tacks a fine onto the toll amount.

 

[moremouse]

I believe the pay-by-plate is only good on a section of the Turnpike in the Miami area. Otherwise, if you go through a Sunpass lane without the sticker you'll get a violation notice in the mail that tacks a fine onto the toll amount.

See. Told ya! I'd be hunted and jailed.

 

[darkwing818]

We live in Tennessee & always drive to the parks & or a cruise sometimes 2 or 3 times a year. So a few years back we bought the transponder (can move from car to car) & it's been great. Not only do we save a bit on the tolls, but there's no waiting in line or making sure we have exact change.

 

[moremouse]

We live in Tennessee & always drive to the parks & or a cruise sometimes 2 or 3 times a year. So a few years back we bought the transponder (can move from car to car) & it's been great. Not only do we save a bit on the tolls, but there's no waiting in line or making sure we have exact change.

I saw the option of the transponder. We usually rotate cars each time for the trip, so that would be great.

Question... are the passes/transponders good until you cancel them so we could use them for several years in a row? Wasn't sure if they expired after a certain amount of time. One of the fields during ordering asks for a start and end date. How does that work?

 

[darkwing818]

I saw the option of the transponder. We usually rotate cars each time for the trip, so that would be great.

Question... are the passes/transponders good until you cancel them so we could use them for several years in a row? Wasn't sure if they expired after a certain amount of time. One of the fields during ordering asks for a start and end date. How does that work?

Not sure I can answer your question, we purchased our transponder, 3 years ago, in a Publix Supermarket. We just took it back to the resort & activated the unit. I don't remember anything about an expiration date. In fact I just loaded more $$s on it for our cruise & park visits in May & October.

 

[moremouse]

Not sure I can answer your question, we purchased our transponder, 3 years ago, in a Publix Supermarket. We just took it back to the resort & activated the unit. I don't remember anything about an expiration date. In fact I just loaded more $$s on it for our cruise & park visits in May & October.

Okay, thanks. It must be just at their site you get that question. Sounds like there isn't an actual expiration date then. Great!

 

[houseofduck]

I saw the option of the transponder. We usually rotate cars each time for the trip, so that would be great.

Question... are the passes/transponders good until you cancel them so we could use them for several years in a row? Wasn't sure if they expired after a certain amount of time. One of the fields during ordering asks for a start and end date. How does that work?

The stickers and transponders are good until you cancel them. Where you see the start and end date might be for car rentals. You can add a license plate for a rental car and give a start and end date. If, for some reason, the sticker/transponder doesn't work when you go through a toll, it will allegedly find it in your account.

As a side note, I think it is difficult for the sticker or transponder to fail. When I ordered mine (and had it delivered to my house), it had charges on it from the delivery truck. This happened to me twice. So, if you order it and have it sent to your home, check your account when you get it!

 

[TinkRose]

I believe the pay-by-plate is only good on a section of the Turnpike in the Miami area. Otherwise, if you go through a Sunpass lane without the sticker you'll get a violation notice in the mail that tacks a fine onto the toll amount.

That's because in Miami-Dade there is no cash option for tolls, it's all electronic. The pay by plate is available for most of the Miami-Dade toll roads but you need to sign up for it in advance. The rest of Florida has a stiff fine for skipping the tolls.

The sticker is good if you only use the Florida toll roads once or very occasionally. The transponder is good if you are a more frequent visitor or resident. The sticker can't be transferred to another car but the transponder can be used on multiple cars.

 

[erionm]

We'll be going to and from Orlando and the port twice during our next vacation. I NEVER carry cash or change. I'm totally a debit card girl. People have mentioned getting a SunPass to cover the tolls during our visit. Does anyone think it would be a waste?

That being said, I DO think the idea of having the sticker would be cool. Tech-junkie.

I see that they're 4.99 for the sticker and then you can load it with any amount over $10.

What say you Florida residents?

Since you are not a FL Resident, I would recommend you get the SunPass Portable. Once adhered to the windshield, the SunPass Mini (sticker) can't be reused if removed.

Click here to learn more about each SunPass transponder type.

 

[mmouse37]

We are from NY and are often in Florida so we opted for the Sun Pass transponder. It has been fantastic over the last few years. I just pack it and slap it on whichever car we are in and go on our way. Can't tell you the convenience of not worrying if I have cash or change handy. We just drove to Florida in March and used it all over Florida from Ft. Lauderdale, to West Palm to WDW to the Port. It was great!! I have automatic fund renewal so never have to worry if I have enough in my Sun Pass account. Our transponder is small and adheres with suction cups. This Northeast girl loves the Sun Pass!!!

MJ

 

[bumbershoot]

It will save you a tremendous amount of time and aggravation!

I have NEVER had aggravation on the toll roads there, and only once have I been behind a slower-than-instant driver.

So it *might* save you time and aggravation, but there is NO guarantee that the OP would EVER encounter any time-wasting or aggravation.


I bring a roll of quarters, I have some ones. I pay the tolls. EASY, almost no time spent on it, and more simple for me than buying a pass when I don't need to do that.

 

[MillauFr]

It will save you a tremendous amount of time and aggravation! IMHO it will be one of the best $5 you spend on your trip.

Agreed. I find it aggravating sitting behind someone at a toll booth searching the pockets for quarters. You know you are in trouble when they stick it in park and get out and start digging in the seats for coins.

 

[Bree]

There are sections of Broward and Palm Beach County that have no option to pay cash for tolls. It is $100 fine each time you don't pay a toll.

 

[darkwing818]

Agreed. I find it aggravating sitting behind someone at a toll booth searching the pockets for quarters. You know you are in trouble when they stick it in park and get out and start digging in the seats for coins.

 

[jamer8]

Florida person here. Get the transponder. The toll arm does not care what car it is..show me the money is what it cares about. We flew to CA and cruised back to Fl via Panama Canal. Rented a car in Port Everglade, put our transponder in the window and 5 hours later was home. FYI..you can preload an account or since we live in Fl, when the account gets low, they use our credit card (they have on file with our approval) to load another designated amount on it. Have a Great Cruise!!!

 

[Capt_BJ]

WOW ... there's a ton of misinformation in this thread! Some truth, but clouded by misunderstanding. I recommend going to SUNPASS.COM and reading up.

If from out of town and wanting a SUNPASS, get the more expensive one. You can move it from vehicle to vehicle and it is good "forever". You can even register MORE THAN ONE VEHICLE at a time (can't do either with the Mini-Sticker). And here's something they don't tell you: technically you don't even need the transponder in the car IF the tag has been registered to the transponder. How do I know? I have several times traveled 'tween WDW and Port Canaveral without the transponder in the car. No foul .... no fines ... the tolls show up on my bill just as if the transponder WAS in the car. (I have 4 cars and one transponder .... most of the time the transponder is at home in a drawer!)

VERY SIMPLIFIED: The way the system works when you pass thru an electronic lane in an area that is NOT electronic ONLY 1) use transponder if found 2) if not found, check SUNPASS database for the tag, if found charge the transponder account the regular transponder (discounted) toll, nothing found equals a fine if you did not use the PAY lane. {the toll plazas on 417 and the Beachline/528 operate this way with the exception of a few 'local' exits that a visitor would probably not use}

IF AN ELECTRONIC ONLY AREA (primarily Dade County) with no transponder or registration in the database, process as toll by plate - if this was on your vehicle you get a monthly bill with a SMALL service charge; if this was a rental car ... the rental company gets this bill & you may get ZAPPED with extra fees BY THE RENTAL COMPANY. How they handle activating electronic toll payment varies by rental company and some will zap BIG $ if you don't sign up in advance and then accrue an electronic toll. See https://www.sunpass.com/rentalcar

IF YOU BOUGHT A SUNPASS over a year ago, and it is the one that has lights & beeps to confirm transactions - and uses a battery (about the size of a pack of cigarettes) this type of transponder will no longer work after the first of the year. Florida will replace it FOR FREE. See SUNPASS.COM The transponders are being upgraded as a set towards interoperability with other systems nation wide.