Quick Summary:
- Check the windscreen for a SunPass or E-PASS sticker or box.
- Match the logo to the provider, then review your rental toll programme.
- Expect tolls plus possible daily usage charges and admin fees.
- If no device is fitted, plan routes to avoid cashless toll roads.
Florida’s toll roads are largely cashless, which is why the question at pick-up is not “Do you want tolls?”, it is “Which toll system is already on this car, and how will I be billed?” In most cases, your hire car will be set up for electronic tolling through either SunPass or E-PASS, or through a rental company toll programme that uses one of those networks behind the scenes. Knowing how to identify the device on the windscreen helps you avoid surprises, choose the right toll option, and understand what will appear on your card later.
This guide explains how to spot SunPass versus E-PASS on the vehicle, what each one means in practical terms, and how pricing and billing typically work for car hire in Florida.
Why Florida hire cars use SunPass or E-PASS
Florida has extensive toll infrastructure, including major expressways around Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale, plus managed lanes on some interstates. Many toll points no longer accept cash, so a transponder, a toll sticker, or a plate-based system is the normal way to pay.
SunPass and E-PASS are Florida’s best-known toll brands. They are both compatible with most Florida toll roads, and they are both designed to be read electronically as you drive through. From a driver’s point of view, the biggest differences tend to be (1) what logo you see on the windscreen, and (2) how your rental company’s toll programme charges for usage and administration.
How to identify the toll device on the windscreen
Before you leave the car park, take 30 seconds to check the upper area of the windscreen, usually near the rear-view mirror. You are looking for either a small sticker, a plastic transponder, or a label indicating the vehicle is enrolled in a toll programme.
What SunPass looks like at pick-up
A SunPass-equipped vehicle may show one of the following:
SunPass sticker: A thin sticker placed on the inside of the windscreen. It may include the SunPass name or logo. Because it is low-profile, it can be easy to miss if you do not look closely.
Portable transponder: A small plastic box fixed to the windscreen behind or near the mirror. Some rental fleets mount it to a bracket to prevent removal.
Fleet label: Some rental companies add an additional label that mentions “SunPass”, “toll pass”, or similar wording, even if the actual device is not obvious.
What E-PASS looks like at pick-up
E-PASS is commonly associated with Central Florida and the Orlando area, but you may see it in other parts of the state too. Typical indicators include:
E-PASS sticker: A windscreen sticker with E-PASS branding. Like SunPass stickers, these can be subtle, especially if placed high.
E-PASS transponder: A small mounted device, usually near the mirror. Some versions have clear E-PASS branding, others are generic with a small label.
Programme notice: A rental document insert or windscreen notice that mentions E-PASS by name, especially around Orlando.
What if you cannot find any sticker or transponder?
Do not assume “no device” means “no toll charges”. Many rental vehicles can still be billed through licence plate recognition if you drive on toll roads. If you cannot see a toll sticker or box, ask the desk to confirm whether the car is enrolled in a toll programme, and whether tolls will be charged via plate. This matters because plate-based tolling can carry additional fees and delays before charges appear.
What the provider means for pricing and billing
When you drive through a Florida toll point with a transponder, the toll authority charges the toll to the transponder account. In a personal car, that is your own SunPass or E-PASS account. In car hire, it is typically the rental company’s account or toll programme, which then passes the charges to you under the rental agreement.
The important point is that the provider logo alone does not tell you the full cost. Your final cost is usually a combination of:
1) The tolls themselves, the base toll amount set by the toll road operator.
2) A rental toll programme charge, which could be a daily charge for days you use tolls, a per-toll convenience fee, or a combination.
3) Administration fees, commonly applied when tolls are processed after the rental, or when plate billing is used.
Because these structures vary by supplier and location, it is worth checking the exact terms on your rental agreement and the toll option you select at the counter. This is especially relevant if you are collecting in busy toll-heavy areas like Miami or Orlando. If you are arranging car hire at Miami Airport (MIA), you may encounter expressways immediately after leaving the airport area, so knowing the toll set-up helps from the first mile.
SunPass vs E-PASS for Florida driving, what changes for you?
For most visitors, both systems “work” on the same roads. The practical differences for car hire are usually about how the rental fleet is configured and what the supplier’s toll programme charges. In other words, do not choose your route based purely on the logo, choose based on (a) whether the vehicle is covered for cashless tolls, and (b) how you will be billed.
That said, there are a few useful expectations:
Coverage: Both are widely accepted on Florida toll roads, and many travellers will never notice a difference in where they can drive.
Billing timing: Transponder tolls may post more quickly than plate-based tolls, but rental-company processing can still mean charges appear after drop-off.
Receipts: You may not get a toll-by-toll receipt at the barrier, because there is no barrier. Your statement is usually provided later through the rental company’s billing process.
How to confirm your toll set-up before leaving the lot
Use this simple checklist at pick-up:
Look at the windscreen: Check for SunPass or E-PASS branding near the mirror.
Check the key pouch or dashboard notices: Some fleets include a printed toll programme explanation.
Ask one direct question: “Is this car enrolled in a toll programme, and how are tolls billed?” This prompts staff to explain daily charges, per-toll fees, and any opt-in choices.
Ask about plate billing: If there is no visible device, confirm whether tolls are charged via licence plate recognition, and whether that triggers additional administration fees.
This can be particularly helpful if you are collecting outside an airport and heading straight onto toll routes. For example, travellers arranging car rental in Doral often join major roads quickly, where toll express lanes or tolled connectors may be tempting during busy periods.
Common toll roads where you will notice the difference
You are most likely to run into tolling around:
Orlando and theme park routes: Expressways and connectors can add up over a multi-day trip, especially when you are doing short hops at peak times. If your trip includes a larger vehicle, such as a people carrier, check the toll programme terms because daily charges can matter more on longer rentals. Hola Car Rentals also supports specialist options like minivan rental in Orlando (MCO), where understanding toll billing is useful for family itineraries.
Miami and Fort Lauderdale: Express lanes and tolled sections can save time in traffic, but you will want confidence that your hire car is correctly set up before you commit to them. If you are collecting through a branded supplier location, such as Hertz car rental in Fort Lauderdale (FLL), ask at the desk which toll programme applies to your agreement.
What to do if you prefer not to use toll roads
If you want to minimise toll costs, you can often plan routes that avoid toll roads, but it takes a bit of attention in Florida because GPS apps may default to fastest routes that include tolls.
Practical steps:
Set “avoid tolls” in your navigation app before you start driving.
Watch for signs saying “TOLL” or “EXPRESS”, especially where express lanes split from general lanes.
Do not enter “toll-by-plate only” roads accidentally, since there may be no cash option and turning around is rarely straightforward.
Even if you plan to avoid tolls, it is still worth identifying whether the car has SunPass or E-PASS at pick-up, because a single wrong turn can result in toll charges plus administrative fees.
How toll charges typically appear after drop-off
Many drivers are surprised that toll charges may not be finalised at the moment they return the vehicle. It is common for toll transactions to be processed later, then billed to the card on file. This is normal in Florida, and it is one reason you should keep your rental paperwork until you are confident all post-rental charges have settled.
If you see toll-related charges later, compare them with your travel days. If your rental agreement includes a daily toll programme fee, check whether it applies only on days you used tolls or on every day of the rental, depending on the supplier’s rules. The exact structure is supplier-specific, so the key is to understand the programme you are enrolled in, not just the name SunPass or E-PASS.
Can you use your own SunPass or E-PASS in a hire car?
Some visitors who travel to Florida regularly wonder if they can bring their own transponder. In theory, personal transponders can work if mounted correctly and linked to the vehicle details required by your account. In practice, using a personal device in a rental can be tricky because the rental car’s plate is not known until pick-up, and because a rental company’s own transponder or toll programme may already be active.
If you want to explore this approach, the safest method is to ensure you understand the rental company policy first, and avoid double billing by not mixing toll programmes. If the car already has a mounted device, assume it is intended to be used. When in doubt, rely on the rental’s toll option and focus on making sure you understand the charges.
Key takeaways for Florida car hire tolls
At pick-up, you are not trying to become an expert in toll technology. You just need three pieces of information: which provider is on the windscreen, whether the car is enrolled in a toll programme, and how you will be billed. A quick windscreen check plus one clear question at the desk usually prevents the most common problems, such as unexpected post-rental fees or confusion about cashless toll roads.
If your itinerary includes multiple cities, it is worth thinking about toll exposure in advance. For broad planning across the state, a general Florida page like car rental in Florida can help you compare options while keeping toll billing in mind.
FAQ
How do I tell if my hire car has SunPass or E-PASS?
Look at the inside top-centre of the windscreen near the rear-view mirror for a sticker or a small transponder box. The branding usually shows SunPass or E-PASS, sometimes alongside a rental toll programme notice.
If my car has a SunPass sticker, will I pay only the toll amount?
Not necessarily. You normally pay the tolls plus any charges set by the rental company’s toll programme, such as a daily usage fee or an administration fee. The sticker shows the network, not the full pricing.
What happens if I drive on a cashless toll road with no visible transponder?
The toll road may bill the vehicle by licence plate. Your rental company can then charge you the toll plus additional administrative or processing fees, which may appear after you return the car.
Can I avoid tolls completely in Florida?
Often yes, but it depends on your route and traffic. Use your navigation app’s “avoid tolls” setting and watch signage for toll roads and express lanes, especially around Miami and Orlando.
When will toll charges show up on my card after drop-off?
It varies. Some tolls post quickly, others take longer to process, and rental billing can add extra time. Keep your rental documents until all post-rental charges have appeared and you have checked them.
