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.
The department is evaluating toll rates, payment and collection options, terminal needs, policies, customer support and other implementation details. 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 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.
What NCDOT is Evaluating
- Toll rates and the methodology used to set them
- Toll collection technology and customer payment options
- Residential commuter pass and vendor priority pass administration
- Ferry terminal traffic flow, customer processing, infrastructure and signage
- Customer support
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 considers for adoption toll rates and rate-setting methodology
| Nov. 5, 2026
|
Get Involved
NCDOT is hosting two public comment periods and will consider the input people share as the agency evaluates 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. During the second public engagement period (Oct. 9-23), toll rate scenarios and methodology will be available for online public comments.
Listening Sessions
Listening sessions were conducted Sept. 1-9, 2026, near the communities where the new tolling requirement is being imposed. Feedback gathered through Sept. 14 is being 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:
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. Implementation activities, public engagement, rate evaluation, and Board of Transportation actions are taking place in advance of the implementation date.
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.
Specific toll rates have not been finalized. NCDOT is evaluating multiple toll rate scenarios and funding approaches. Recommended tolls and the rate-setting methodology will be presented to the N.C. Board of Transportation in October 2026, with anticipated board action in November 2026.
The N.C. Board of Transportation is expected to establish toll rates.
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, and implementation procedures are still being developed.
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 buses and other student transportation vehicles. Other exemptions include individuals using the ferry during declared emergencies. Additional pass programs, eligibility requirements and implementation details continue to be evaluated.
Payment
methods are still being evaluated, but will likely include cash and credit
cards paid in person at ferry terminals. Commuter passes will be available
online. 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.
Contact
Phone
984-205-6615, Project Code 10744,
Email
ferry-tolling@publicinput.com