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 and priority pass eligibility, pricing and administration
- Ferry terminal traffic flow, customer processing, infrastructure and signage
- Customer service, refunds, disputes, exemptions and operational staffing needs
Timeline
Public listening sessions held
| Sept. 1-9, 2026 (Go to the
Get Involved section below for more information)
|
Public comment summary released by
| Sept. 22, 2026
|
Recommended tolls and rate-setting methodology presented to the N.C. Board of Transportation
| Oct. 8, 2026
|
N.C. Board of Transportation considers for adoption toll rates and rate-setting methodology
| Nov. 5, 2026
|
Get Involved
NCDOT is planning five public listening sessions with opportunities to provide feedback throughout the public comment period. Feedback may be submitted in person at these sessions, online via the survey provided, or by sending us a message through the email address or voicemail hotline provided at the bottom of this page by Sept. 14th.
Online Survey
An online survey offered through Public Input will be available until
midnight Sept. 14.
Take the Survey
Listening Sessions
Listening sessions will be conducted near the communities where the new tolling requirement is being imposed.
Tuesday, Sept. 1
6-8 p.m.
| Beaufort County Community College 5337 U.S. 264 East Washington
|
Wednesday, Sept. 2
6-8 p.m.
| Pamlico Community College – Delamar Center
5049 Highway 306 South Grantsboro
|
Thursday, Sept. 3
6-8 p.m.
| Knotts Island Elementary School
413 Woodleigh Road Knotts Island
|
Tuesday, Sept. 8
6-8 p.m.
| Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
59200 Museum Drive Hatteras
|
Ferry Listening Sessions Public Notice
Examples of public feedback:
- Customer and community impacts NCDOT should consider
- Feedback on tolling scenarios or options and route-specific effects
- Concerns about payment, commuter passes, priority passes or exemptions
- Potential operational issues at ferry terminals
- Information residents, businesses, visitors and regular customers need
- Actions that could make implementation easier for ferry communities
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 inviduals using the ferry during declared emergencies. Additional pass programs, eligibility requirements and implementation details continue to be evaluated.
Payment methods are still being evaluated. NCDOT is examining several toll collection alternatives and customer payment options. Details about payment methods, account management, customer service, and terminal processes will be shared as they become available.
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