PLUS Malaysia Berhad has launched a pilot project for Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) open payment tolling on the North–South Expressway. Described by the highway operator as offering “lane freedom”, the initiative marks an early step towards the future implementation of Multi Lane Fast Flow tolling in Malaysia.

Pilot Introduces Lane-Free Toll Access

Under the pilot, registered drivers are no longer limited to designated toll lanes and can enter or exit through any lane at selected toll plazas. The trial is currently being carried out at nine toll plazas along the Hutan Kampung to Sungai Dua stretch, covering Hutan Kampung, Alor Setar Utara, Alor Setar Selatan, Pendang, Gurun, Sungai Petani Utara, Sungai Petani Selatan, Bertam, and Sungai Dua.

This first phase spans 87.7 kilometres and is intended to ease congestion at toll plazas while reducing the need for sudden lane changes, which can pose safety risks to drivers.

How The ANPR Toll System Works

The system uses ANPR cameras installed at toll plazas to capture vehicle number plates as cars pass through. Toll charges are then processed automatically through a mobile-based payment platform, removing the need for physical cards or in-vehicle devices.

PLUS says the system is supported by artificial intelligence and machine learning technology, allowing it to recognise vehicles accurately under different conditions, including poor weather, varying speeds, different camera angles, and non-standard number plates. The company adds that accuracy improves over time as the system processes more data.

Testing And Safety Measures During The Trial

According to PLUS, the ANPR system has been under testing since September 2024, in collaboration with the Malaysian Highway Authority and other highway concessionaires. Early results indicate faster vehicle detection compared with existing toll systems, largely due to wider camera coverage at toll plazas.

During the pilot phase, physical toll barriers will remain in place. Drivers using the ANPR system are advised to slow down and maintain speeds of between 20 and 25 km/h when passing through toll plazas, even though stopping is not required.

How Drivers Can Take Part

Motorists interested in joining the pilot can do so by downloading the JustGO Malaysia mobile app, available on iOS and Android. Users need to register their vehicles in the app and link a preferred payment method, such as a debit or credit card.

Once registered, drivers can use the highway as usual without installing additional devices or paying upfront fees. PLUS has also indicated plans to add more payment options, including e-wallets and online banking, in the coming months, in line with the Government’s aim to offer more flexible toll payment choices.

Existing toll payment methods, including Touch ‘n Go cards, SmartTAG, and RFID, will continue to operate alongside the new system.

Added Features And Long-Term Plans

The JustGO Malaysia app supports e-invoicing, which may be useful for users who need digital payment records for personal or business purposes. PLUS has positioned the app as an open payment digital platform that is intended to be jointly owned by the highway industry, as part of a broader move towards more seamless toll collection in the future.

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