Major Update: How Toll Gate Payments Are Changing in South Africa

By the end of 2025, paying at South Africa’s toll gates will become faster, safer, and more convenient. The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) has confirmed that all toll plazas in the country will support tap-to-pay contactless payments by December 2025. This means drivers will be able to pay with debit and credit cards, as well as digital wallets on their smartphones and smartwatches – no more handing over your card to a teller.

Why the Shift to Contactless Toll Gate Payments Matters

The move to tap-to-pay comes at a time when South Africans are increasingly using contactless payments for everyday purchases. Banks and payment providers have been phasing out magnetic stripe (magstripe) cards due to higher risks of card cloning and fraud. Toll plazas have historically been flagged as hotspots for card skimming because motorists often had to hand over their cards to booth operators.

Contactless technology removes that risk. You simply tap your card, phone, or smartwatch on the terminal, and the payment processes instantly. This reduces fraud risks, improves security, and shortens queues at toll gates – a win for both safety and convenience.

The Rollout Plan: When and Where Tap-to-Pay Will Be Available

Sanral manages 30 of South Africa’s toll plazas and has confirmed a phased rollout of tap-to-pay terminals starting in October or November 2025, with full coverage by December 2025.

Breakdown by Operator/Concession

Here’s what this means for you:

• Already live: All toll plazas on the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban, and the N4 between Pretoria and Komatipoort already support tap-to-pay.
• Coming soon: Bakwena, which manages toll gates on the N1 between Pretoria and Mookgophong and the N4 between Doornpoort and Swartruggens, will launch tap-to-pay at all its plazas in Q4 2025.
• Final phase: Sanral-operated toll gates on the N2, N17, N1, N4, and N3 will all go contactless by December 2025.

How Tap-to-Pay Works at Toll Gates

When you approach a toll gate with tap-to-pay enabled:

1. Choose a lane marked with the blue “Card” sign.
2. Tap your contactless debit card, credit card, or smart device on the terminal.
3. Wait for the beep or green light indicating a successful transaction.
4. The boom opens and you drive through – no PIN or handing over your card needed for transactions under the contactless limit.

You’ll also be able to use digital wallets such as Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet, and Garmin Wallet for added convenience.

Important to note:

• American Express, Diners Club, and RCS cards will not be accepted.
• Cash will still be accepted for those without contactless cards or devices.
• E-tags remain available for an even faster drive-through experience.

Security Benefits: Reducing Card Fraud Risks

Historically, toll plazas were seen as card fraud hotspots because drivers had to hand over their cards – sometimes through awkwardly high booth windows where visibility was poor. This practice left motorists vulnerable to skimming or cloning.

With the new system, you keep your card or device in your own hands. Transactions are encrypted, processed instantly, and aligned with future banking regulations mandating the phase-out of magstripe cards. This step is widely regarded as a significant security improvement.

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) welcomed the change, noting that Sanral “should have acted a long time ago” to protect motorists from unnecessary risk.

What About E-Tags?

For motorists who prefer the quickest possible option, e-tags remain a strong choice. After the shutdown of the unpopular Gauteng e-toll system in May 2025, e-tag sales surged. These devices allow preloaded credit to be automatically deducted as you drive through toll gates without stopping.

With e-tags and tap-to-pay working side by side, motorists now have more payment flexibility than ever before.

Practical Tips for Motorists

• Check your card: Make sure your bank card has the contactless (wave) symbol. If not, request a new one from your bank.
• Load your digital wallet: Adding your card to Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or Samsung Wallet can make payments faster and safer.
• Look for the blue signs: These indicate lanes where tap-to-pay is available.
• Keep some cash as backup: While tap-to-pay will be widely available, cash lanes remain for those who need them.
• Consider an e-tag: Especially for regular commuters – it’s still the fastest option.

Read more: South Africa Poised to Scrap Traditional Driving Licence Cards

Why This Matters for South Africa’s Roads

This upgrade represents a modernisation of South Africa’s national road network. It aligns with global trends where toll plazas are moving toward cashless, contactless systems to improve traffic flow and enhance security. For South Africans, this means less waiting in queues, fewer risks of card fraud, and more payment choices on the road.

Key Takeaways

• All toll plazas in South Africa will support tap-to-pay by December 2025.
• Debit cards and digital wallets are welcome: No more handing over your card to a toll operator.
• Security is a top priority: The change reduces card fraud risks and complies with banking regulations.
• Cash and e-tags remain available: You’ll still have multiple ways to pay.

Also check: How to Save Up to R10 Per Litre on Petrol

The nationwide rollout of tap-to-pay at toll gates marks a major milestone in improving the driving experience for South Africans. By the end of 2025, drivers can expect faster, safer, and more convenient journeys on the country’s busiest highways.

Whether you’re commuting for work, heading on a road trip, or just passing through, these upgrades ensure toll payments become one less thing to worry about on the road.