Coastal area residents who frequently use North Carolina ferries can purchase a prepaid pass that allows them an unlimited number of ferry trips on any ferry route.
The commuter pass – a sticker that is affixed to the windshield of the traveler's vehicle – is good for one year.
Eligibility
Ferry commuter passes are available only to permanent residents of designated coastal counties and active-duty military personnel. Eligible coastal counties include Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Tyrrell and Washington.
Restrictions
Commuter passes cost $150 for a single vehicle and can be purchased in-person at select terminals. A valid driver license (or active-duty military ID) is required for purchase. The address shown on your ID must be in an eligible coastal county.
Commuter passes can also be purchased online, saving you time at the terminal. Commuter passes purchased online must be picked up at select terminals listed below. Ferry staff will verify pass eligibility and apply the pass to your vehicle at the time of pick up.
Purchasing a Pass
Commuter passes cost $150 for a single vehicle and can be purchased in-person at select terminals listed below. Starting Nov. 5, 2026, commuter passes will be available to purchase online.
Purchase a Commuter Pass
A valid driver license (or active-duty military ID) and the registration card for your vehicle are required for purchase. The addresses shown on your ID and registration card must match and be in an eligible coastal county.
Designated coastal counties:
Beaufort
| Hertford
|
Bertie
| Hyde
|
Brunswick
| New Hanover
|
Camden
| Onslow
|
Carteret
| Pamlico
|
Chowan
| Pasquotank
|
Craven
| Pender
|
Currituck
| Perquimans
|
Dare
| Tyrell
|
Ferry Terminal Locations
Customers can purchase commuter passes in person or pick-up commuter passes purchased online at five locations.
Southport Ferry Terminal: 1650 Ferry Road, Southport
Cedar Island Ferry Terminal: 3619 Cedar Island Road
Swan Quarter Ferry Terminal: 748 Oyster Creek Road, Swan Quarter
Ocracoke (Silver Lake) Ferry Terminal: 130 Pilot Town Circle, Ocracoke
Hatteras Ferry Terminal: 59063 N.C. 12, South Hatteras
Customers can only pick up commuter passes purchased online at the three additional locations below.
Cherry Branch Ferry Terminal: 2300 Ferry Road, Havelock
Bayview Ferry Terminal: 229 NC 306 North, Bath
Currituck Ferry Terminal: 175 Courthouse Road, Currituck
In person commuter pass sales will be available at these three additional locations beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
No.
Your commuter pass is linked to the license plate number of the vehicle you
specified on the commuter pass application. You will be issued a sticker that
will be placed on your vehicle's windshield at the terminal.
Yes. Online reservations must provide the commuter pass number for the applicable vehicle. Any additional vehicle reservations can be purchased at the regular toll
rate and at the same time.
Yes, you may use your commuter pass to cover the vehicle; however, you must purchase an additional single-trip ticket(s) to cover the addition of a boat/trailer.
If the stickered vehicle is wrecked, sold or replaced, you must get a new sticker. Your old pass will be voided, and the new sticker will have the same expiration date. If your commuter pass is still valid when you get a new vehicle, you do not need to pay for a new pass. These passes can be used on any ferry route.