Many major new road developments are funded for building and maintenance from the Irish State and from private businesses.
Toll roads are roads that drivers must pay to use. Charging for vehicles to use the roads is carried out through tolling.
Generally, toll charges are paid at the barrier to the toll road. You can either pay in cash, or by using electronic tolling (eTolls) a small electronic tag that is placed in the vehicle which is detected each time your vehicle passes through the toll. The toll is then debited against your customer account. The electronic tolling system automatically recognises the correct toll for the class of vehicle you are driving.
For the M50, if you do not have an account you can pay online, by phoning Locally 1890 501 050, by using the M50 Quick Pay App, or through Payzone outlets which are available in most small stores, garages and newsagents.
Don’t worry about missing a toll, you can’t drive past the toll booths without noticing them, as there are overhead signs and barriers across the road where you must stop and pay. It is a good idea to keep some change handy in your car.
Exemptions
Certain vehicles are exempt from toll charges, including vehicles used by An Garda Síochána, fire brigade, ambulance service and belonging to and used for official purposes by the Forces.
Vehicles adapted for disabled drivers or passengers are also entitled to an exemption from toll fees.
The new Disability Toll Exemption Scheme (DTES) has been in operation since 3 February 2020.To qualify, your vehicle must be eligible for tax relief under the Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities Scheme. You can apply for a DTES disc, and read more information about the rules of the scheme on dtes.ie.
If your vehicle is adapted and qualifies for tax relief, but you have not applied for a DTES disc, you can still travel toll free by going to the manned tollbooth and showing your tax disc.
The registered owner of a vehicle is legally responsible for paying the toll, which means that you may be fined or prosecuted for not paying a toll, even if you were not driving the vehicle.
You can be charged with an offence if you do not pay your toll charges. The penalty on summary conviction is a fine of up to €5,000 or a term of imprisonment of up to 6 months, or both.
Toll rates are available on www.tii.ie.
Information on suppliers of electronic tags and the different types of tag accounts is available on etoll.ie