Yes, you can open a SunPass account for a rental car, but it's often more complicated than it's worth for a short trip. The easiest and most common method is to use the rental car company's own toll program. When you rent a car in Florida, it will almost certainly have a built-in transponder. As you drive through tolls, the system automatically bills the rental company, who then charges your credit card on file, adding a daily convenience fee.
If you're a frequent visitor to Florida, creating a standard SunPass account and getting a portable transponder might make financial sense. You can register the rental car's license plate to your account online for the duration of your rental period. This allows you to pay the lower SunPass toll rates instead of the higher "Pay-by-Plate" or rental company rates. However, you must remember to add the plate when you pick up the car and remove it when you return it to avoid paying for the next renter's tolls.
The main options are summarized in the table below:
| Toll Payment Method | How it Works | Typical Cost | Best For |
|---|
| Rental Company Program | Automatic use of built-in transponder. | Toll amount + daily fee (e.g., $3.95 - $15.95/day) | Short-term rentals, convenience. |
| SunPass Pay-by-Plate | No transponder needed; tolls mailed to rental company. | Higher "Visitor Toll" rate + rental company admin fee. | Occasional toll road use. |
| Personal SunPass Transponder | Use your own portable transponder. | Standard SunPass discount rate. | Frequent visitors to Florida. |
| License Plate Registration | Temporarily add rental plate to your SunPass account. | Standard SunPass discount rate. | Longer rentals, tech-savvy users. |
For most tourists on a week-long vacation, the rental company's program, despite the fees, is the most hassle-free option. The administrative effort of managing a temporary plate registration often outweighs the small savings for a short trip.
