Using HGS in a rental car is one of the topics that first-time renters are particularly curious about. Türkiye's Fast Pass System (HGS), used on toll motorways and bridges, automatically records toll transactions. The system works similarly in rental vehicles, although the way toll charges are collected may vary depending on the car rental company's procedures.
How Do You Pay HGS Tolls in a Rental Car?
HGS is an electronic toll collection system that allows drivers to use toll motorways and bridges without stopping at toll booths. Each passage is recorded through the vehicle's HGS tag or automatic number plate recognition system, and the corresponding toll is charged to the associated account.
Car rental companies generally register their fleet vehicles with the HGS system. As a result, when you drive a rental car on a toll road, you do not need to make a separate payment at the time of passage. The system automatically records the transaction, and the rental company subsequently collects the charge according to its payment procedures.
For example, QCAR Mobilite's vehicles are registered with HGS. Bridge and motorway toll charges are collected from the customer's credit card after the rental vehicle is returned, and detailed toll transaction reports are provided.
Therefore, if the rental vehicle already has an active HGS account, you do not need to obtain a new HGS tag in your own name. Nevertheless, it is advisable to confirm that HGS is active and ask how toll charges will be collected when picking up the vehicle.
It is also worth noting that the Automatic Pass System (OGS), which previously operated alongside HGS, was discontinued on 31 March 2022. Today, toll payments on bridges and motorways are processed through HGS.
If you are planning to rent a vehicle for your journey, explore QCAR Mobilite's car rental options, choose a vehicle that meets your needs, and complete your reservation with ease.
How Are HGS Motorway and Bridge Tolls Paid in Rental Cars?
Under normal circumstances, the renter is responsible for HGS motorway and bridge toll charges incurred during the rental period. The rental company manages the tracking of toll transactions and collection of the corresponding fees.
When and How Are HGS Charges Collected?
Toll road transactions made in a rental vehicle are recorded through its registration plate and HGS account. Once the transaction details appear in the system, the applicable charges are calculated.
Car rental companies may collect these charges in different ways. Some calculate the total toll amount when the vehicle is returned and charge it to the customer's credit card, while others may deduct the amount from the security deposit. If toll transactions are recorded with a delay, payment may be requested several days after the vehicle has been returned.
At QCAR, HGS toll charges are collected from the customer's credit card after the rental period. Depending on the rental terms, the security deposit may also be used to cover liabilities arising from toll transactions.
Consequently, you may notice an HGS-related charge several days after returning your rental vehicle. To verify which toll transactions the amount relates to, you can request an itemised toll statement from the rental company.
How Much Does HGS Cost When Renting a Car?
HGS toll charges depend on the bridge or motorway used, the vehicle classification, and, on certain routes, the distance travelled. Therefore, there is no single HGS toll rate that applies to all rental vehicles.
For example, Istanbul's 15 July Martyrs Bridge, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, and Eurasia Tunnel have different toll tariffs. Separate rates also apply to the Osmangazi Bridge, 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, and intercity toll motorways.
To check the latest toll rates, visit the General Directorate of Highways (KGM) motorway and bridge toll rates page. Calculating the cost of toll routes in advance can make budgeting easier, particularly for long-distance journeys.
Why Do Rental Companies Charge an HGS Service Fee?
Another potential expense when renting a car is an HGS service fee. Some car rental companies charge an additional administration fee for tracking toll transactions, matching records, and managing payments.
Suppose you make two toll road journeys during your rental period, costing TRY 150 and TRY 250. Your total toll cost would be TRY 400. If the rental company also applies an HGS service fee, an additional amount may be charged according to the rental agreement.
The important point is that any service fee should be clearly disclosed before the rental begins. Always ask whether additional HGS-related charges apply when making your reservation or collecting the vehicle.
How Do You Pay Motorway Tolls Without an Active HGS Account?
If a rental vehicle does not have an active HGS account, its HGS tag cannot be read, or the account has insufficient funds, a toll passage may be recorded as an unpaid or unauthorised passage.
In such cases, the toll must be paid within the specified period. According to the current procedures of the General Directorate of Highways, the following payment periods and penalties apply to unpaid toll passages:
| Payment Period |
Applicable Charge |
| First 15 days |
No penalty applies if the original toll is paid. |
| Days 16–45 |
A penalty equal to the original toll amount is added. |
| After 45 days |
A penalty equal to four times the original toll amount is added. |
For example, if a toll charge of TRY 200 is paid within the first 15 days, only TRY 200 is payable. If payment is made between days 16 and 45, the total may increase to TRY 400. After 45 days, the total payment obligation may reach TRY 1,000.
Additional costs may arise if legal collection proceedings are initiated. Rules concerning public holidays and the payment procedures of the relevant motorway operator should also be considered when calculating deadlines.
What Should You Do If You Make an Unpaid HGS Toll Passage?
If you discover that an unpaid toll passage has occurred while driving a rental car, first notify the rental company.
If the vehicle's HGS account is managed by the rental company, the company may need to arrange a balance top-up or settle the outstanding toll.
You can check unpaid toll passages through KGM's official toll violation enquiry system or the website of the relevant motorway operator.
Before making a payment, confirm whether the rental company has already settled the outstanding amount. This helps prevent the same toll from being paid twice.
How Can You Check HGS Toll Charges for a Rental Car?
Several official channels are available for checking HGS toll transactions associated with a rental vehicle.
KGM's website allows users to check unpaid toll passages using a vehicle's registration plate. Relevant toll transaction and violation enquiry services are also available through PTT HGS Customer Services.
However, because a rental vehicle's HGS account is registered in the rental company's name, you may not have direct access to all account transactions as the renter.
In this situation, the most practical option is to request a detailed toll transaction statement from the rental company.
What Should You Do If an Incorrect HGS Charge Is Collected?
Sometimes, an HGS charge collected after returning a rental car may be higher than expected or include an unfamiliar transaction.
If this happens, first check the date, time, route, and amount of the toll transaction.
You can dispute the charge with the rental company, particularly if it relates to a passage made after you returned the vehicle or if the same toll has been charged twice.
To support your dispute, keep your rental agreement, vehicle pick-up and return documents, credit card statements, and any available toll records.
Request an itemised transaction statement from the rental company and ask for any charge you believe to be incorrect to be reviewed and corrected.
What Should You Consider When Using Toll Bridges and Motorways in a Rental Car?
HGS transactions are generally processed automatically, making toll road travel convenient for drivers. Nevertheless, there are several points worth checking to avoid unexpected expenses.
First, confirm that the vehicle's HGS account is active when collecting the rental car. Ask whether an additional administration fee applies on top of the standard toll charges.
If you are planning a long-distance journey, review the toll tariffs for the bridges and motorways you expect to use in advance.
The "avoid toll roads" option in navigation applications may also help reduce travel costs. However, alternative routes may be longer, increasing fuel consumption and journey time. It is therefore worth considering the overall cost rather than focusing solely on toll charges.
Finally, when returning the vehicle, confirm once again how and when the HGS toll charges will be collected.
If you are considering renting a car for city journeys or intercity travel, explore QCAR Mobilite's car rental options, easily reserve a vehicle that suits your needs, and get your journey underway.
