TOLL prices are set to soar from January 1, 2025, with drivers having just days to secure a sticker that helps keep costs down.

From New Year's Day, customers will require an NC Quick Pass to use toll roads in North Carolina.

The North Carolina Turnpike Authority is increasing its toll rates beginning on January 1, although not all drivers will pay the same price.

If you secure an NC Quick Pass, you will save money and receive a 50% toll rate discount on roads in the Tar Heel State.

This is a rise from the current savings of 35%.

Drivers don't need a transponder to use the discount, the Turnpike Authority announced.

It is launching a new NC Only Account type that is useable for travel within the state.

Some 300,000 free transponders will be sent to customers who receive an invoice between November 11, 2024, and February 28, 2025.

To further help drivers, the pre-paid balance requirement for new accounts has been lowered from $20 to $10.

The authority also announced new partnerships with 7-Eleven gas stations close to toll facilities where customers can buy transponders.

Alternatively, transponders are available on Amazon.

The authority says there is a reason it wants drivers to sign up for an NC Quick Pass account.

According to the authority, the cost of collecting tolls from customers without an account is approximately three times higher than for those who do have an account.

The additional rate increase is designed to put more of the burden on customers who have chosen not to have accounts.

This should mean significant savings for account holders.

It isn't just drivers in North Carolina who could benefit from the new initiative.

Those who opt-in for a standard Quick Pass account and transponders can also take advantage of discounts on toll roads in 18 other states.

These include Florida, Georgia, and Virginia.

It comes weeks after the NC Quick Pass was revealed to be the subject of a "smishing" scam alert.

According to the FBI, smishing occurs when fake text messages trick people into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information, or sending money to cybercriminals.

In the recent Quick Pass scam, drivers received texts from a number claiming to represent the toll firm, telling them they owed unpaid tolls.

The agency has warned residents that it will never ask for payment via text message.

It urged drivers to report any scam texts about unpaid tolls to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.