What Payment by Plate means on the Illinois Tollway

Payment by Plate is a system that lets you drive through Illinois Tollway tolls without stopping or having a transponder in your car. The tollway photographs your license plate, identifies the vehicle owner, and sends an invoice to the address on file with the Illinois Secretary of State.

You do not need to set up an account in advance or register for anything. The tollway handles the identification automatically. If you own the vehicle, you will receive a bill in the mail within two weeks of driving through a toll plaza.

This system works at all Illinois Tollway plazas, including the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), and the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355).

Key Takeaways

  • Payment by Plate charges you automatically based on your license plate; the tollway mails an invoice to your vehicle registration address within two weeks.
  • The toll amount depends on the distance traveled and your vehicle class, with rates higher for trucks and trailers than for passenger cars.
  • You can pay the invoice by mail, phone, or online through the Illinois Tollway website without creating an account.
  • If you drive the tollway regularly, opening an I-PASS account costs less per trip than paying by plate invoices.
  • Unpaid invoices accrue late fees and can eventually result in vehicle registration holds or collection action.

How toll amounts are calculated under Payment by Plate

The Illinois Tollway charges different rates based on two things: the distance between the entry and exit plazas, and your vehicle class. A passenger car pays one rate; a motorcycle pays less; a truck or vehicle with a trailer pays more.

You can look up the exact toll for a specific route on the Illinois Tollway website by entering your entry and exit plazas. The site shows the rate for each vehicle class. Rates vary by route and change periodically, so the amount you owe depends on where you entered and exited the system.

If you drive through multiple toll plazas on a single trip, each crossing is charged separately. The tollway does not combine them into one charge.

How to pay a Payment by Plate invoice

When you receive your invoice in the mail, it will include a toll transaction number and the amount owed. You have three ways to pay:

By mail: Write a check or money order, include the invoice, and mail it to the address printed on the bill. The tollway accepts payment up to 30 days after the invoice date without penalty.

By phone: Call the Illinois Tollway customer service line at 1-800-UC-IPASS (1-800-824-7277). Have your invoice number ready. You can pay with a debit card or credit card over the phone.

Online: Visit the Illinois Tollway website and use the "Pay a Toll Invoice" tool. You do not need to create an account. Enter your invoice number and the amount, then pay with a debit or credit card.

Late fees and what happens if you do not pay

If you do not pay within 30 days of the invoice date, the tollway adds a late fee to your bill. The fee amount varies but typically ranges from $5 to $10 per unpaid toll. A second notice arrives, giving you another chance to pay.

If the invoice remains unpaid after the second notice, the tollway can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. You will not be able to renew your license plates until the toll debt is settled. In some cases, unpaid tolls can be sent to a collection agency, which may affect your credit report.

If you believe an invoice is incorrect — for example, if you did not drive that route or the amount seems wrong — contact the Illinois Tollway customer service line to dispute it. Have your invoice number and the date of travel ready.

When to switch from Payment by Plate to I-PASS

If you drive the Illinois Tollway more than a few times per year, an I-PASS account usually costs less per trip than paying by plate invoices. I-PASS is a prepaid transponder account that you load with money in advance. The transponder sits on your windshield and is read automatically at toll plazas.

I-PASS holders pay a lower per-mile rate than Payment by Plate customers. For example, a trip that costs $3.50 by plate might cost $2.75 with I-PASS. You also avoid the late fees and registration holds that come with unpaid invoices.

You can open an I-PASS account online, by phone, or at a customer service center. There is a one-time transponder fee (usually around $25), but frequent drivers recoup that cost within a few trips. You can also use I-PASS on tollways in Indiana, Ohio, and other states in the E-ZPass network.

Payment by Plate for rental cars and borrowed vehicles

If you are driving a rental car or borrowed vehicle, the toll invoice goes to the registered owner, not to you. The rental company or vehicle owner will receive the bill and may pass the charge to you, depending on their policy.

Most rental car companies charge a processing fee on top of the toll amount if you incur tolls during your rental. Check your rental agreement to see what fees explore. If you are borrowing a friend's car, let them know you drove the tollway so they are not surprised by the invoice.

If you plan to drive tolled roads frequently in a rental, ask the rental company whether they offer a prepaid toll option or I-PASS transponder rental. Some companies provide these services for a flat fee, which may be cheaper than paying per-toll invoices plus processing fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to receive a Payment by Plate invoice?

The Illinois Tollway typically mails invoices within two weeks of your toll transaction. If you do not receive an invoice within three weeks, contact customer service to confirm the toll was recorded correctly.

Can I pay a Payment by Plate invoice online without creating an account?

Yes. The Illinois Tollway website has a "Pay a Toll Invoice" tool that does not require you to set up an account. You enter your invoice number and amount, then pay with a debit or credit card.

What happens if I pay late?

Late fees are added to your bill if you do not pay within 30 days of the invoice date. After a second notice, the tollway can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. Unpaid tolls may also be sent to a collection agency.

Is Payment by Plate more expensive than I-PASS?

Yes. I-PASS rates are lower per mile than Payment by Plate rates. If you drive the tollway regularly, the savings usually outweigh the one-time transponder fee. For occasional drivers, Payment by Plate is simpler because there is no account to maintain.

What if the toll invoice has the wrong vehicle information?

Contact the Illinois Tollway customer service line at 1-800-UC-IPASS with your invoice number and the date of travel. They can investigate whether the plate was misread or the transaction was recorded in error.