Driving around the New York metropolitan area frequently involves cashless toll roads, express lanes, or bridge crossings. Because many of these routes no longer accept physical cash payments, you must have an electronic toll transponder or use pay-by-plate billing. If you pass through a toll plaza without a transponder, the toll will be billed directly to the rental agency based on your license plate.
Rental agencies may charge an administrative fee to process tolls, and the amount and cap vary by agency and program. To avoid surprises, check the current toll terms before pickup and ask whether you can use your own E-ZPass transponder after registering the rental car's license plate.
If you choose to use the agency's toll program, review the daily rate options carefully at the counter. A flat-rate daily toll option is only worth the cost if you plan to drive extensively on toll highways. For simple one-off airport transfers, compare the agency program with the toll authority's payment options before accepting it.