Commissioner Diaz wants to protect car rental customers from unforeseen toll surcharges

(MIAMI, FL) – SunPass-only expressways may be a source of convenience to most South Florida drivers, but they are taking a toll on unsuspecting rental car customers who often wind up paying a penalty for driving without a SunPass.

To protect tourists and other car rental customers, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz is sponsoring legislation to require rental car companies to provide customers notice of such fees and surcharges.

“A lot of tourists are getting hit in the pocketbook by having to pay extra fees and penalties after driving through a transponder on a cashless toll road, and they need to be protected because this County thrives on tourism,” said Commissioner Diaz, whose proposed legislation received the County Commission’s initial approval on Dec. 15.

The legislation calls for car rental facilities to post signs notifying customers if they will be held responsible for payment or reimbursement of toll charges or violations incurred during their use of the vehicle, and whether the car rental company imposes any other administrative fees associated with the company’s processing of such toll charges or toll violations.