North Carolina state law directs the N.C. Department of Transportation to establish and begin collecting tolls on all ferry routes by Jan. 1, 2027.
Toll revenue is required to support long-term vessel replacement.
What is Changing?
Tolls are currently collected on the Cedar Island-Ocracoke, Swan Quarter-Ocracoke and Southport-Fort Fisher vehicle ferry routes. Riders also pay a fee on the Hatteras-Ocracoke passenger ferry.
Under the 2026 law, tolls will be required on the Currituck-Knotts Island, Bayview-Aurora, Hatteras-Ocracoke and Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach vehicle ferry routes.
The department evaluated toll rates, payment and collection options, terminal needs, policies, customer support and other implementation details.
The department made base toll rate recommendations to the N.C. Board of Transportation, which the board approved during its Nov. 5, 2026, meeting.
The base toll rates for one-way routes are:
- $10 each way for Hatteras-Ocracoke
- $7 each way for Currituck-Knotts Island, Aurora-Bayview and Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach
The law also requires the establishment of a $150 annual commuter pass available to active-duty military and permanent residents of North Carolina’s 20 coastal counties. Learn more about commuter passes.
Timeline
Held five public listening sessions
| Sept. 1-9, 2026
|
Presented
Statewide Ferry Tolling Implementation Update to the Board of Transportation
| Sept. 2, 2026
|
Public comment summary released by
| Sept. 25, 2026
|
Recommended tolls and rate-setting methodology presented to the N.C. Board of Transportation (from comments gathered during listening sessions, handwritten, online and surveys)
| Oct. 8, 2026
|
N.C. Board of Transportation adopted toll rates and rate-setting methodology; NCDOT announces commuter passes available for purchase online and at select ferry terminals
| Nov. 5, 2026
|
Public Engagement
NCDOT hosted two public comment periods and considered the input people shared as the agency evaluated toll rates, the methodology used to set them, and other tolling recommendations. From Aug. 17-Sept. 14, NCDOT provided an opportunity for the public to provide feedback with five public listening sessions, an online survey, a voicemail hotline and email.
- What We Heard Summary Appendix A
Listening Sessions
Listening sessions were held Sept. 1-9, 2026, near the communities where the new tolling requirement is being imposed. Feedback gathered through Sept. 14 was considered as ferry toll rates and methodologies are developed prior to implementation.
NCDOT developed the following outreach materials for the listening sessions to aid public understanding of the tolling requirement:
Second Public Engagement Period
A second public engagement period was held from
Oct. 9-23 and recommended toll rates and the rate-setting methodology were available for online public comments. Below is a summary of what we heard during the second public engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
North Carolina Session Law 2026-41 requires the N.C. Ferry Division to begin collecting tolls on all ferry routes and establish a fare schedule by Jan. 1, 2027. NCDOT is implementing this legislative requirement while evaluating the most practical and effective approach for customers and communities.
Current legislation requires toll collection on all ferry routes beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
Tolls are already collected on some ferry routes. Under the legislation, tolls are required across the statewide ferry system, including routes that have historically been free. The routes that are currently free and where tolling is required to be introduced are: Currituck-Knotts Island, Hatteras-Ocracoke, Bayview-Aurora, and Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach.
Tolls are already collected on the Cedar Island-Ocracoke, Swan Quarter-Ocracoke, Southport-Fort Fisher vehicle ferries and the Hatteras-Ocracoke passenger ferry.
The N.C. Board of Transportation approved the toll rates and rate-setting methodology on Nov. 5, 2026.
The base toll rates for one-way routes are:
$10 each way for Hatteras-Ocracoke
$7 each way for Currituck-Knotts Island, Aurora-Bayview and Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach
The N.C. Board of Transportation established toll rates Nov. 5, 2026.
Yes. The legislation requires a $150 annual commuter pass for eligible permanent residents of North Carolina’s coastal counties and active-duty military personnel. Additional details regarding eligibility, enrollment, administration.
North Carolina law (N.C.G.S. 113-103 (2) defines the following as coastal counties: Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Tyrrell and Washington.
The legislation specifically exempts school vehicles and buses transporting students. Other exemptions include individuals using the ferry during declared emergencies. Additional pass programs, eligibility requirements and implementation details continue to be evaluated.
Customers will be able to purchase a ticket with cash or credit cards in person at ferry terminals. Commuter passes are available to be purchased online or in person at ferry terminals. EZ Pass will not be an initial option when tolling begins but may be considered in the future.
NCDOT’s Ferry Division must evaluate tolls, payment systems, technology, terminal operations, staffing, customer-support processes, procurement needs, and implementation procedures while meeting a compressed timeline. Many decisions remain under evaluation.
The legislation directs the revenue generated by the tolls to be used for ferry vessel replacement.
It should be noted that revenue collected cannot be used for day-to-day operations, staffing, fuel, maintenance or other operating expenses.
State law requires toll rates to be established in a manner that supports ferry vessel replacement needs.
The legislative requirement to implement tolling is established in state law. However, public input can help identify customer impacts, payment concerns, route-specific issues, communications needs, implementation barriers, customer-support requirements, and operational challenges that can inform implementation decisions.
Contact
Phone
984-205-6615, Project Code 10744,
Email
ferry-tolling@publicinput.com