One of the most frequently asked questions when using highways, bridges, and tunnels with a rental car is how HGS/OGS toll fees are tracked and how they are charged to the renter. This is because tolls are usually not charged to a card instantly; due to system infrastructure, reporting delays, and the rental company’s processing workflows, fees may be reflected in bulk at the end of the rental period or even afterward. In the sections below, you will find a detailed explanation of how HGS charges work in rental cars, how fees are calculated, what happens in the case of violation passes (insufficient balance, tagless passage, etc.), and how objection processes are handled.
In Türkiye, the primary system used for toll roads in practice is HGS. OGS was officially discontinued as of March 31, 2022, and toll passages have continued via HGS since then. Therefore, although the term “HGS/OGS” is still commonly used in the rental sector, operations are largely carried out through HGS tags/accounts.
The common charging logic for rental cars works as follows:
Many sources note that toll expenses incurred during the rental period are, as a rule, the responsibility of the renter, with the company tracking and charging them accordingly.
The timing of when passages “appear in the system” can vary depending on the route used (bridge/highway/tunnel), the operator’s infrastructure, and reporting cycles. As a result, some passages may appear the same day, while others may show up with a delay of several days. To manage this uncertainty, rental companies typically apply the following approach:
For this reason, the assumption “I returned the car, so the HGS balance is settled” is not always correct. As long as passages match your rental date range, they may be charged later.
HGS toll fees are calculated based on official tariffs. The amount you pay depends on the route used, the vehicle class (passenger car, light commercial, etc.), entry–exit distance on some highways, and the operator’s pricing model. From the rental perspective, a critical point is that the company typically charges the official toll amount to the renter and may add an additional processing/operation fee (explained below).
To understand the practical fee calculation, the following distinction helps:
An important detail: the rental company often does not wait for the fee to finalize “at the moment you pass.” As reports are finalized, charges are posted to your rental file. Therefore, if you made multiple passages in a day, it is normal for them to appear as a single aggregated charge.
Collection methods vary by company policy, rental type (individual/corporate), payment infrastructure, and contract terms. The most common methods are:
Most informational materials emphasize that HGS usage fees belong to the renter and are collected accordingly. The most important practical advice here is to clarify the collection model at reservation/pickup (at close-out or later, and whether a service fee applies).
A “service fee” or “operation fee” is an additional item charged by some rental companies for managing HGS. This fee covers processes such as reporting passages, matching them with rental files, executing collections operationally, and handling potential objections. Some companies set this as a fixed fee per rental; others apply a small transaction fee.
Points to consider regarding service fees:
This fee may raise the question “Why am I paying extra?” The healthiest approach is to read the company’s HGS collection policy (including service fees) in the written terms before renting and to confirm it at pickup.
“Violation/illegal passages” typically occur due to unread tags, tagless passages, insufficient balance, or system matching issues. In such cases, the passage may not be charged as a normal toll and a violation record may be created.
Information from toll operators and official inquiry pages indicates that after a violation passage, there may be processes such as penalty-free payment or automatic collection attempts within a certain period (e.g., 15 days).
In a rental car, the typical scenario for a violation passage is:
Therefore, in cases like “I didn’t realize the balance was insufficient,” it is important to promptly check violation passages to avoid higher amounts later. If the company links a violation to your rental period and you have an objection (e.g., date/time mismatch), follow the objection process outlined below.
To avoid surprises with HGS charges, the most critical step is to use pickup and return moments as “control points.” You may not see all passages instantly on the company’s screen, but you can still establish a clear record.
At pickup, the following checks help:
At return, these steps are useful:
Additionally, keeping simple personal notes (e.g., which highway you used on which day) can be very helpful for potential objections—especially when multiple drivers use the vehicle.
Although HGS charging follows the same core logic, the way it is reflected differs between corporate and individual rentals:
The advantage on the corporate side is more systematic reporting; the downside is that passages may appear periodically rather than instantly, increasing the need for internal user-level tracking.
Incorrect charges may occur due to mismatches (date/time discrepancies), multiple rental files on the same day, delayed reporting, or system duplicates. In such cases, moving quickly and methodically determines the outcome.
A practical step-by-step objection flow:
The key to a quick resolution is proceeding with concrete data (dates/times, rental receipt, charge slip) rather than recollection. If the rental company’s report matching is correct, corrections are usually straightforward; if the issue is operator-related, the process may take longer.
To avoid issues and unnecessary penalties/objections when using HGS, the following practices offer significant advantages:
These steps help individuals maintain budget control and reduce potential disputes with rental companies. When HGS charging is managed correctly, you can comfortably benefit from the time savings of toll roads and enjoy a smoother rental experience.
