Delaware Toll By Plate lets drivers without an E-ZPass transponder use Delaware toll roads and pay later. Cameras at toll plazas capture your license plate, and the Delaware Department of Transportation sends you an invoice by mail or email. This system works for out-of-state visitors, rental car drivers, and anyone who forgot their transponder at home.
How Delaware Toll By Plate Works
The Delaware Toll By Plate system operates through automated cameras at every toll plaza. When you drive through a toll point without a valid E-ZPass transponder, high-resolution cameras photograph your license plate. The system then matches your plate to your vehicle registration using state DMV records.
Within 30 days of your trip, you receive an invoice in the mail. The bill shows the date, location, toll amount, and a photo of your vehicle. You can pay this invoice online, by phone, or by mail. The official Delaware toll payment portal processes these transactions securely.
Camera Technology and Plate Reading
Toll plaza cameras use infrared technology to read plates in all weather conditions. They capture clear images during fog, rain, and darkness. The system reads plates at highway speeds, so you never need to stop or slow down at toll points.
Dirty or damaged plates can cause misreads. Keep your license plate clean to avoid processing errors. If a camera misreads your plate, you can dispute the charge through customer service.
Delaware Toll Rates and Cost Breakdown
Delaware toll by plate costs more than EZ Pass because of the extra work involved. The system must capture your plate, match it to your registration, print an invoice, and process your payment. These steps add fees to each toll.
The base toll rate stays the same for EZPass and Toll By Plate users. However, Toll By Plate adds an administrative fee of $1.50 to $2.50 per toll. This fee covers the cost of processing your invoice through the mail.
Current Toll Rates by Location
| Toll Plaza | E-ZPass Rate | Toll By Plate Rate | Admin Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-95 Delaware Turnpike | $4.00 | $5.50 | $1.50 |
| Route 1 (Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway) | $3.00 | $4.50 | $1.50 |
| Delaware Memorial Bridge | $5.00 | $6.75 | $2.50 |
| SR-1 (Rehoboth Beach Area) | $2.00 | $3.50 | $1.50 |
These rates reflect current 2026 pricing. Toll rates change periodically based on transportation funding needs.
Delaware EZPass vs Toll By Plate: Payment Comparison
Delaware EZPass users pay lower rates because the system deducts tolls automatically from a prepaid account. Toll By Plate users pay higher rates plus administrative fees. The difference grows over time for frequent drivers.
Compare the two options for a typical monthly commute on I-95:
- EZ-Pass monthly cost: $80 (20 trips × $4.00)
- Toll By Plate monthly cost: $110 (20 trips × $4.00 + $1.50 fee)
- Monthly savings with EZPass: $30
For drivers who use Delaware tolls more than 10 times per month, E-ZPass saves money. For occasional travelers, Toll By Plate avoids the hassle of setting up an account.
How to Pay Your Delaware Toll Invoice
Pay your Delaware toll by plate invoice through three methods:
- Online: Visit the official payment portal and enter your invoice number
- Phone: Call the customer service number on your invoice
- Mail: Send a check or money order to the address printed on your bill
Online payment is the fastest option. You can pay with credit card, debit card, or bank transfer. The system processes your payment immediately and sends a confirmation email.
Payment Deadlines and Late Penalties
You have 30 days from the invoice date to pay your Delaware toll. Missing this deadline triggers late penalties:
| Days Past Due | Penalty Amount |
|---|---|
| 1–30 days late | $10 administrative fee |
| 31–60 days late | $25 administrative fee |
| 61+ days late | $50 administrative fee + registration hold |
Unpaid tolls can result in a registration hold on your vehicle. The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles will block your registration renewal until you pay all outstanding tolls and fees.
Scenarios for Using Delaware Toll By Plate
Several situations require toll by plate payment instead of E-ZPass:
Out-of-State Visitors and Tourists
Visitors from other states often lack EZ-Pass transponders. The toll by plate system lets them use Delaware toll roads without buying a transponder. Tourists driving to Delaware beaches or through the state on I-95 benefit from this option.
Rental Car Drivers
Rental cars rarely include EZ-Pass transponders. The rental company receives the toll invoice and charges your credit card. Most rental agencies add a daily convenience fee of $3 to $10 for toll processing.
Failed or Missing Transponders
If your EZ Pass transponder battery dies or you forget it at home, the toll system reads your plate instead. You receive a toll by plate invoice even though you have an E-ZPass account. Contact customer service to fix the charge and transfer it to your EZPass account at the lower rate.
Delaware Toll Plaza Locations
Delaware operates toll plazas on several major roadways:
- I-95 Delaware Turnpike: Toll plaza near Newark
- Route 1: Toll plazas at the Biddles Corner and Dover toll points
- Delaware Memorial Bridge: One-way toll for southbound traffic into Delaware
- SR-1: Multiple toll points along the coastal highway
All these locations support both E-ZPass and toll by plate systems. Cash payment is not available at most Delaware toll plazas.
How to Dispute a Delaware Toll Charge
You can dispute a wrong toll charge through the Delaware toll authority. reasons for disputes include:
- Incorrect vehicle identification
- Wrong toll amount charged
- Valid EZPass not detected
- Toll charged for a vehicle you no longer own
File a dispute within 60 days of the invoice date. Submit your dispute online through the payment portal or by mail with supporting documents. Include photos of your license plate, E-ZPass transponder, and vehicle registration if applicable.
The Delaware toll authority reviews disputes within 30 days. If your dispute is valid, they remove the charge and send an updated invoice.
Delaware Toll Scams to Avoid
Fake toll invoice texts and emails target Delaware drivers. These scams claim you owe a small toll and demand immediate payment through a link. Real Delaware toll invoices come by mail, not text or email.
Signs of a toll scam:
- Unsolicited text or email about unpaid tolls
- Requests for payment through gift cards or wire transfers
- Links to unofficial websites
- Urgent language demanding immediate payment
Delete suspicious messages and report them to the Delaware Attorney General’s office. Pay only through the official portal or by mail.
Delaware Toll Customer Service Contact
For questions about Delaware toll by plate, contact customer service:
- Phone: 1-888-397-2773 (toll-free) or 1-302-326-5560
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM; Saturday, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM; Closed Sunday
- Address: Delaware E-ZPass Customer Service Center, 22 Lighthouse Road, New Castle, DE 19720
- Website: https://www.ez-passde.com/
Frequently Asked Questions About Delaware Toll By Plate
What happens if I don’t pay a Delaware toll by plate invoice?
Failing to pay a Delaware toll by plate invoice triggers late fees starting at $10. After 60 days, the unpaid toll goes to collections. The Delaware DMV places a registration hold on your vehicle, preventing you from renewing your tags. Continued non-payment can result in a suspended license. Pay your invoice within 30 days to avoid these penalties.
Can I use Delaware toll by plate for a rental car?
Yes, Delaware toll by plate works for rental cars without EZPass transponders. The rental company receives the toll invoice and charges your credit card. Most rental agencies add a daily convenience fee of $3 to $10. To avoid higher fees, check if your rental company offers an EZPass rental option before picking up the car.
How do I pay Delaware tolls without an E-ZPass?
Use the Delaware toll by plate system. Cameras at toll plazas photograph your license plate and send you an invoice by mail. You can pay the invoice online, by phone, or by mail within 30 days. The cost is higher than EZ-Pass due to administrative fees of $1.50 to $2.50 per toll.
Do Delaware tolls take cash?
No, Delaware toll plazas do not accept cash payments. Drivers must use EZ Pass or toll by plate. The state eliminated cash toll booths to speed up traffic flow. All toll payment happens electronically through transponders or license plate cameras.
How much is the Delaware Memorial Bridge toll by plate?
The Delaware Memorial Bridge toll by plate costs $6.75 for southbound travel into Delaware. EZ Pass users pay $5.00. The bridge charges tolls only in one direction. Drivers heading north into New Jersey do not pay a toll.
Can I get a refund for a wrong Delaware toll charge?
Yes, you can request a refund for an incorrect Delaware toll charge. File a dispute within 60 days of the invoice date through the online portal or by mail. Include supporting documents like photos of your license plate, transponder, or vehicle registration. The Delaware toll authority reviews disputes and refunds valid claims within 30 days.
Is Delaware toll by plate more expensive than E-ZPass?
Yes, Delaware toll by plate costs more than EZPass. Each toll by plate charge includes an administrative fee of $1.50 to $2.50 on top of the base toll rate. For frequent drivers, this adds up to $30 to $50 more per month compared to EZPass. The toll by plate system works best for occasional drivers and visitors.