RV FEATURE
Drive Highway 1 and you’ll
follow a serpentine route that
twists around all Australian
states and territories, with the
exception of the Australian
Capital Territory.
In that 1500km trek and the
tributaries that flow from it,
there are toll roads. Here are
a few tips that should put you
on the fast lane to less angst
when dealing with them.
FEES AND FINES
Mid-way through 2013, all toll
roads in Australia turned to
cashless tolling system, with
toll authorities distributing
electronic vehicle tags and
online payment systems. To
date, toll roads are only
found in New South Wales,
Queensland and Victoria.
At risk are extra fees and
fines for those who fail to pay
tolls, but even paying a toll
doesn’t altogether eliminate
the possibility of being hit
by extra fees.
The best advice from
motoring organisations such
as the The Royal Automobile
Association of South Australia
is that a little planning will
go a long way. The RAA’s
advice is for caravanners
and other travellers to pre-
purchase tolls to side-step
any potential penalties.
On the up-side, you don’t
need to worry about not
having an electronic tag
because cameras positioned
along each toll road will
record your registration
plate. The downside is that if
your vehicle is identified by
cameras and you pay within 72
hours, you will avoid a fine but
might incur extra processing
fees because you didn’t have
an electronic tag.
Before that has you all a
fluster, relax. Planning ahead
provides the opportunity to
purchase a temporary pass.
HOW TO PAY
Alternatively, you can pay by
phone. For either choice, you
need to make a payment each
time you travel on a toll road.
To pay for your tolls in
Victoria, you're required
to register your vehicle
for regular tolling, though
temporary passes are
available. It’s a somewhat
cumbersome system; however,
as there are two toll operators,
Eastlink and CityLink, and you
need tags for both unless you
opt for video processing and
that’ll mean extra processing
charges every time you use
a Victorian toll road.
Depending on the type of
CityLink pass you buy or if
you have an e-tag you have
between three and seven days
to pay for your toll. However,
e-tag accounts will not cover
you on EastLink. For EastLink
you will need an account
with EastLink.
In Queensland you can pay
online before or after you
travel at www.govia.com.au.
gorv.com.au
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