Sydney’s motorways provide a convenient way for motorists to get around Sydney. The motorways are mostly toll roads, so you need to be familiar with the payment options when using them. The table below details the payment options for each motorway.
Paying motorway tolls
How you pay the toll depends on which motorway you use, and how often you use them. While some accept cash, others are fully electronic.
This means you either need an electronic tag, or you need to register for a pass with a toll provider to travel on selected motorways.
Tag
Electronic tags are the easiest way to pay motorway tolls. All tags available in Australia work on all motorways around the country.
If you have a tag, look for the lanes marked with the red and yellow 'E' symbol. Tags are read by sensors at plazas and toll collection points and your toll account is automatically debited.
To get a tag, most toll providers require you to pay a security deposit and a pre-paid toll balance.
When your pre-paid toll balance drops to a certain amount, your toll account is topped up by the tag provider using your credit card or bank account.
Pass
A pass is an arrangement between you and a toll provider to use selected toll roads without a tag.
If you are visiting Sydney or are an infrequent user of toll roads, this may be your best payment option for the fully electronic motorways. You'll need a pass for the roads marked with the red and white 'e' symbol.
Most pass accounts require you to pay an additional administration fee for each trip you make on a motorway.
Remember, unlike tags, passes only work on selected toll roads.
If you plan to travel on more than one toll road, you may need to arrange a pass for each one.
The table below shows which pass you can use with each toll road.
Cash
You can pay cash on all motorways except the Westlink M7, Lane Cove Tunnel, Sydney Harbour Tunnel and Cross City Tunnel - these are fully electronic.
To pay with cash on all other Motorways you need to slow down when approaching toll booths and make sure you drive in the correct lane.
Some booths only accept the exact toll. If you have the exact change, look for the signs saying 'auto' or 'exact toll' and be ready to place your change into the collection basket as you drive through.
If you don't have the exact toll, look for the booths marked 'change' – these have attendants to provide change.
Motorways other than the fully electronic Westlink M7, Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Cross City Tunnel and Lane Cove Tunnel also have E-only lanes which are typically on the right hand or fast traffic lanes. So if you are paying cash:
a) stay left
b) look out for the correct toll booth
Non Payment of tolls
For unpaid tolls on all Australian toll roads, please contact the toll operator directly. Click here
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