What do the new tol
l rates mean for your pocket?
Motorists face another increase in the cost of getting around from January, with higher tolls approved across much of the national road network. Most car journeys affected will cost an extra 10c or 20c, while Dublin Port Tunnel’s morning peak charge will rise by €1.
Here are the ten things to know.
1. The new charges begin on New Year’s Day
The revised rates take effect on January 1, 2027. TII’s board has approved increases covering the M50, Dublin Port Tunnel and the eight toll schemes operated under public-private partnerships.
2. Inflation is behind the increases
Toll rates are regulated through an inflation adjustment mechanism set out in the toll bye-laws. The applicable Consumer Price Index increase for August 2025 to August 2026 was 3.6%. The amount drivers pay depends on the road, vehicle category and, on the M50, how they pay.
3. M50 car journeys will cost between €2.70 and €4
For cars, the M50 toll rises from €2.60 to €2.70 with a tag, and from €3.20 to €3.30 with a registered video account. Unregistered drivers face a bigger increase: their charge goes from €3.80 to €4.
That leaves a €1.30 difference per crossing between the tag and unregistered rates.
4. Small increases can become a sizeable annual bill
A car driver making two M50 crossings a day, five days a week, over 48 weeks would pay an extra €48 a year with a tag or video account. An unregistered driver making the same journeys would pay an extra €96. Those figures cover the toll increases alone.
5. Most other tolled roads will charge cars another 10c
The car toll on the M1, N6, M7/M8, M8, N18 Limerick Tunnel and N25 Waterford scheme rises from €2.30 to €2.40. On the M4, it increases from €3.60 to €3.70.
Motorcycle rates on those schemes also rise by 10c.
6. The M3 is the exception for cars and motorcycles
Car and motorcycle tolls on the M3 Clonee – Kells scheme remain unchanged at €1.80 and 90c respectively. Other vehicle categories on the scheme will pay an extra 10c.
7. Vans, buses and lorries face increases too
On the M50, goods vehicles not exceeding 2,000kg, and buses or coaches with more than eight passengers, face increases of 10c or 20c, depending on payment method. Heavier goods vehicles face rises of 20c or 30c.
Across the privately operated schemes, increases vary by road and vehicle class. On the M4, both the two- and three-axle HGV category and the four-or-more-axle category rise by 30c.
8. The tunnel’s morning citybound toll reaches €15
The southbound Dublin Port Tunnel charge increases from €14 to €15 between 6am and 10am, Monday to Friday.
TII says the increase reflects growing traffic during that period and is intended to preserve capacity for heavy goods vehicles travelling to Dublin Port.
9. Other Dublin Port Tunnel charges stay put
The northbound peak toll, applying from 4pm to 7pm on weekdays, remains €12. Off-peak tolls in both directions remain €3.50.
HGVs continue to travel toll-free through the tunnel.
10. Where does toll revenue go?
TII says income from the M50 and Dublin Port Tunnel supplements Exchequer funding and supports the operation, maintenance and renewal of national roads.
On the privately operated schemes, toll income also helps repay loans taken out to build the motorways, alongside meeting operating and maintenance costs.
