Quebec Toll Bridges Complete Guide: A25 and A30, Rates and Payment 2026
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Quebec Toll Bridges Complete Guide
System: A25 (Smart Link) - fully electronic, free-flow, no toll booths; A30 Express - retains physical toll booths, cash now generally not accepted
Coverage: Two toll bridges in Quebec - A25 (Olivier-Charbonneau Bridge, Laval-Montreal) and A30 (St. Lawrence Bridge/Serge-Marcil Bridge, Chateauguay-Vaudreuil-Dorion)
Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Technology: A25 and A30 Express transponders (separate, non-interchangeable systems); video tolling (licence plate billing) for non-transponder users
Operators: Concession A25 SEC (private partner of Quebec's Ministry of Transport for A25); Nouvelle Autoroute 30 / A30EXPRESS (private partner for A30)
Do I Need a Transponder for Quebec Toll Bridges? 2026 Update
No - both bridges accept video tolling (licence plate billing) for vehicles without a transponder, but you pay a significant administrative fee on top of the toll (over $4.00 extra per crossing on A25). A25 and A30 use two entirely separate, non-interchangeable transponder systems - a transponder for one bridge does not work on the other.
Key Reality: The A25 (marketed as "Smart Link" / "Le Lien Intelligent") is a fully free-flow, cashless facility with no toll booths at all - cameras and transponder readers capture every vehicle automatically in both directions. The A30 retains physical toll booths, though cash is now generally no longer accepted there for safety and efficiency reasons - a change since this bridge first opened its electronic tolling system.
2026 Update - Important for EV drivers: Both A25 and A30 currently offer toll-free crossing for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles registered in Quebec with an active transponder. However "Toll-free access ends April 1, 2027 - No action required at this time. A25 will contact the customers in fall 2026." This is a time-limited pilot program from Quebec's Ministry of Transport, not a permanent policy - EV owners should plan for standard tolls to apply from that date forward. A25 has also posted an active security notice warning that phishing emails are currently using its visual branding to deceive customers - never provide payment details via a link in an unsolicited email.
Quebec Toll Bridge Rates: Current 2026 Rates
A25 Bridge (Smart Link / Olivier-Charbonneau Bridge)
The A25 crosses the Riviere des Prairies between Laval's Duvernay district and Montreal's Riviere-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles borough. Tolls apply in both directions, vary by vehicle category and time of day, and rise further with high traffic volume above a set threshold.
| Category | Definition | Pricing Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Standard cars, SUVs, light trucks under 230 cm in height | Lowest rate tier; varies by time of day |
| Category 2 | Large vehicles, 230 cm or taller | Higher rate tier; also factors in axle count for trucks |
Peak hours: 6:01 AM - 9:00 AM and 3:01 PM - 6:00 PM, weekdays. Off-peak hours: all other times, including weekends and holidays. Exact dollar rates for each tier/time combination are set by Concession A25 SEC and change periodically - check A25 directly for the current published schedule.
Exemptions: Pedestrians, cyclists, and (until April 1, 2027) Quebec-registered electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles with an active transponder all cross the A25 for free.
A30 Bridge (St. Lawrence Bridge / Serge-Marcil Bridge)
The A30 crosses the St. Lawrence River as part of Highway 30 between Chateauguay and Vaudreuil-Dorion. Valid from February 28, 2026 to January 31, 2027 inclusively:
| Category | Rate per Axle | Standard Car Total |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 (under 230 cm) | ~$2.20 | ~$4.40 (2-axle passenger car) |
| Category 2 (230 cm or taller) | ~$3.30 | Varies by axle count |
Trucks fall under Category 2 and are charged per axle. There is no cash option at the A30 toll plaza in 2026 - non-transponder users receive a mailed invoice including an administrative fee.
Exemptions: Since January 1, 2016, Quebec-registered electric vehicles equipped with an active A30 Express transponder cross toll-free.
To calculate tolls for both bridges and other Canadian toll facilities, use the TollGuru Quebec toll calculator:
How to Pay Quebec Bridge Tolls
1. A25 Transponder (Smart Link account):
- Open a customer account and install the transponder on your windscreen; read automatically at highway speed, no stopping required
- Gets you the most favourable published rate tier
- Only works on the A25 - not compatible with A30 Express
2. A25 Video Tolling (no transponder):
- Licence plate cameras capture your vehicle automatically; invoice mailed to the registered owner
- Carries a significant administrative fee - over $4.00 extra per crossing versus the transponder rate
- Settle promptly - additional collection charges apply for late payment
3. A30 Express Transponder:
- Separate account and transponder from A25 - not interchangeable
- Dedicated fast lanes at the physical toll booths
4. A30 Card/Debit Payment (no cash):
- Credit or debit card accepted directly at the toll booth
- Cash is generally no longer accepted, for safety and efficiency reasons - this is a change from when this facility first opened electronic tolling
- Video tolling with a mailed invoice is also available for those without a transponder or card at hand
Recent Changes (2026)
- A25 EV toll-free program ending April 1, 2027 - refer A25; they will contact affected customers in fall 2026
- A30 rate schedule updated - current schedule valid February 28, 2026 to January 31, 2027; standard car rate now approximately $4.40
- A25 rebranded as "Smart Link" / "Le Lien Intelligent" in its own official marketing
- A25 active phishing warning - the operator confirms fraudulent emails using its branding are currently circulating; never submit payment details via an unsolicited email link
- A30 cash acceptance discontinued at the toll plaza, moving to card and transponder payment only
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my electric vehicle keep crossing the A25 for free?
Only until April 1, 2027. According to A25: "Toll-free access ends April 1, 2027 - No action required at this time. We will contact our customers in fall 2026." No action is needed right now, but standard tolls will apply from that date onward unless the program is extended again.
Can I use my A25 transponder on the A30, or vice versa?
No. These are two entirely separate systems operated by two different companies (Concession A25 SEC and Nouvelle Autoroute 30/A30EXPRESS). You need a separate account and transponder for each bridge if you use both regularly.
Can I pay cash at either bridge?
No, not anymore. The A25 has no toll booths at all - it's fully electronic free-flow. The A30 retains physical toll booths but no longer generally accepts cash; use a card or your transponder there instead.
What happens if I receive a phishing email claiming to be from A25?
A25 has posted an active security notice warning that fraudulent emails are currently using its visual branding. Do not enter payment details via a link in an unsolicited email - always go directly to A25 to check your account or pay a toll.
Toll-Free Alternatives
Montreal has several toll-free bridges connecting the island to the surrounding regions, including the Champlain Bridge, Jacques-Cartier Bridge, and Mercier Bridge - all completely free alternatives to the A25 and A30, though often more congested during peak periods.
Useful Links & Resources
- Quebec Toll Calculator - Calculate A25 and A30 costs
- A25 / Smart Link - Official rates, account setup, EV program details, security notices
- A30 Express - Official current fee schedule (Feb 28, 2026 - Jan 31, 2027) and payment methods
- Ontario Toll Guide - Highway 407 ETR and Canadian border bridges
- Canada Toll Guide - All Canadian provinces and territories overview
