Do you pay for toll roads when renting a campervan in New Zealand?

There are only three tollways in New Zealand, all located in the North Island, and as with hiring a regular vehicle, you’re responsible for paying toll charges when driving a rental campervan or motorhome. Toll fees in New Zealand are paid electronically using number plate recognition—cash payments are not accepted. Before finalising your booking, be sure to check your campervan or motorhome rental provider's policies around toll roads.

Do I need to pay for toll roads when driving a rental campervan?

Yes, you’ll be liable for any tolls associated with the use of toll roads in New Zealand, with the charges levied electronically using number plate recognition. When you use a toll road, cameras and sensors capture an image of your vehicle’s number plate and assign a toll accordingly.

Tolls are either paid for using a toll pass (where the cost of the toll is deducted from your pass), or afterwards (by phone, through the NZ Transport Agency, or at service stations). If you choose to pay afterwards, you have five working days to pay the toll, after which there is a NZ$4.90 surcharge for each toll, and if you have not paid within 28 days, there is a $40 surcharge (on top of the $4.90 fee). Paying by phone or via a petrol station attracts a $3.70 surcharge.

Most campervan providers require the renter to pay any tolls, and will levy administrative fees atop toll charges if they receive a bill for tolls from the NZ Transport Agency. However, some providers ask renters to not pay for any tolls and the provider instead handles them, passing on the charge to the renter along with an administrative fee (which varies by provider).

If your provider requires the renter to pay any tolls, the easiest and most affordable way to do this is to purchase a toll pass through the NZ Transport Agency. Please note, all three tollways have free alternative routes.

Do campervan rental providers charge extra for toll fees?

There are two primary ways campervan providers handle tolls and toll payment in New Zealand — the campervan provider requires the renter to pay all tolls, or the campervan provider handles all tolls and passes on the charges to the renter (with an administrative fee).

Review your provider’s Terms and Conditions when hiring a campervan to clarify what their approach is for toll fees and to avoid the double-payment of tolls.

Campervan providers and toll policies

¹ Indie Campers charge a €15 surcharge for tolls passed on to customers, and a €50 surcharge if they pay the toll on the customer’s behalf. To be converted to local currency upon billing.

How much do tolls cost when driving a campervan?

Toll charges in New Zealand are determined by the vehicle weight, with 3.5 tonnes the qualifier for heavy vehicles. Most campervans weigh below 3.5 tonnes so will be charged the lower rate. The table below contains toll charges for toll ways in New Zealand as at November 2025, all rates include GST. 

Planning your trip? See our campervan driving tips for more information.

Important Information

Check with your provider about their toll policy

Be sure to check with your rental campervan provider beforehand to find out what their policy is regarding the payment of tolls in New Zealand. This is the best way to avoid being double chanrged for any toll roads you use.