Unpaid Toll Notices and Fines in Queensland: What to Do Next

Received a Linkt toll invoice, Demand Notice, penalty infringement notice or SPER enforcement order?

These documents are not interchangeable. Each represents a different stage, with different deadlines and response options.

The short answer: A Linkt unpaid toll notice is generally not yet a government fine. If the matter remains unresolved, it may progress to a Demand Notice. Failure to comply with a Demand Notice can lead to a government infringement notice, which may later be registered with SPER if it is not dealt with.

Before paying or disputing anything, identify exactly which document you have.

For more relevant info visit Queensland toll notice explained.

What to check immediately

Look at the notice and confirm:

  1. The exact title of the document.

  2. Who issued it.

  3. The vehicle registration number and state.

  4. The toll road and travel dates.

  5. The amount claimed.

  6. The response deadline.

  7. Whether you were the registered operator or driver at the time.

Keep a copy of the notice and save confirmation numbers, emails and notes from any phone calls.

If the deadline is close, contact the organisation named on the current notice. Do not rely on an earlier invoice or assume that paying an older amount will resolve a later notice.

Which toll notice do you have?

DocumentUsually issued byWhat it meansWhat to doRecent unpaid toll tripLinktThe trip has not yet progressed to a posted invoiceCheck whether an account or pass can still cover the tripToll invoice or unpaid toll noticeLinktA toll and additional operator fees are being claimedPay, transfer to an eligible account, nominate where permitted, or query the invoiceDemand NoticeLinktA formal notice requiring action by its due datePay or provide the required driver informationPenalty Infringement NoticeTMR or Brisbane City Council, with relevant fines administered through QROA government fine alleging failure to comply with a Demand NoticeAct within 28 days using the options on the noticeSPER enforcement orderState Penalties Enforcement RegistryAn overdue government fine has been registered for enforcementContact SPER and address the enforcement order promptly

This is a possible escalation path. Not every unpaid toll automatically progresses through every stage. Linkt may also use debt collection or civil recovery processes.

How to check unpaid tolls in Queensland

The correct place to search depends on the stage reached.

Linkt toll invoice or Demand Notice

Use the official Linkt Brisbane toll invoice search. You can generally search using:

  • Your vehicle registration number and state

  • Your toll invoice number

  • Your Demand Notice number

You can also contact Linkt on 13 33 31.

Government infringement notice

Use the Queensland Government’s My account service or follow the payment and contact instructions printed on the infringement notice.

SPER enforcement order

Use SPER Online or contact SPER using the details on the enforcement order.

One system may not display amounts held by another. For example, a Linkt invoice, government infringement and SPER debt are managed through different processes.

Is a Linkt toll notice the same as a fine?

No.

A Linkt toll invoice or unpaid toll notice is issued by the toll payment provider. It usually contains the unpaid toll plus one or more operator fees.

A government penalty infringement notice is a separate document issued after an alleged offence.

The Tolling Customer Ombudsman explains that a toll infringement is issued for allegedly failing to comply with a Demand Notice, not simply for failing to pay the original toll.

This distinction matters because the available response options and the organisation you need to contact change as the matter progresses.

Read our detailed guide to Queensland toll notices.

Paying a recent Queensland toll before an invoice arrives

If the trip was recent, act before waiting for a letter.

Linkt currently states that:

  • A Brisbane toll account can be backdated to cover eligible trips made up to nine days earlier.

  • A Brisbane pass can be backdated by up to five days.

  • If more than nine days have passed without an account or pass, a toll invoice may be mailed to the registered operator.

These arrangements can change. Check the current options on the official Linkt Brisbane payment page as soon as possible.

What is a Linkt toll invoice?

A toll invoice is generally the first posted notice sent after a toll remains unpaid.

It may include:

  • The original toll

  • Vehicle matching charges

  • A toll invoice administration fee

  • Details of the vehicle and trips

  • A due date

  • Payment, transfer and enquiry options

Check every trip listed. If you already had an account, confirm that the correct registration number and state were attached to it on the travel dates. Also check whether the account had sufficient funds and was active.

Current fees can change, usually from 1 July. See our guide to Linkt fees in Queensland rather than relying on figures from an old letter or article.

What is a Linkt Demand Notice?

A Demand Notice is more serious than an ordinary reminder or toll invoice.

Queensland tolling legislation allows a toll operator to require the registered operator to either:

  • Pay the amount demanded, or

  • Provide the prescribed information showing that they were not driving and reasonably assist in identifying the driver.

Depending on the circumstances, a nomination or statutory declaration may be required.

Do not ignore a Demand Notice because you disagree with the original toll. Respond using the options on the notice and keep evidence that your response was submitted.

Read the full guide to Queensland Demand Notices.

What is a toll Penalty Infringement Notice?

If a Demand Notice is not properly addressed, a government or council authority may issue a Penalty Infringement Notice, commonly called a PIN or toll fine.

At this point, you are no longer dealing only with a Linkt invoice.

The Queensland Revenue Office states that a person generally has 28 days from the infringement’s issue date to:

  • Pay the fine

  • Set up a payment plan if eligible

  • Transfer the fine where permitted

  • Dispute the fine in court

A court election can have costs and legal consequences. Consider obtaining legal advice before choosing that option.

If you pay or resolve an outstanding Linkt amount after receiving a government infringement, do not assume the infringement has automatically disappeared. Confirm the position with the authority named on the infringement notice.

What happens if you do not pay a toll notice?

A Queensland unpaid toll matter may develop like this:

  1. The toll trip remains unpaid.

  2. Linkt issues a toll invoice with additional charges.

  3. Linkt issues a Demand Notice.

  4. Failure to comply may result in a Penalty Infringement Notice.

  5. An overdue infringement may be referred to SPER.

  6. SPER may add fees and use enforcement powers if its order remains unresolved.

Other recovery routes, including debt collection or civil proceedings, may also be used.

For a detailed explanation, read what happens if you do not pay a Queensland toll.

What if you were not driving?

Do not ignore the notice simply because someone else was driving.

Depending on the notice and circumstances, you may be able to nominate another driver if:

  • Another person was using the vehicle

  • You had sold the vehicle

  • The vehicle or number plates had been stolen

  • The vehicle was rented, leased or operated by a business

Use the nomination process specified on the notice and provide accurate information. Different deadlines apply at different stages.

For a Linkt Demand Notice, Linkt recommends lodging a driver nomination well before the printed due date. For a government infringement, QRO generally allows 28 days from the issue date to request a transfer.

Keep your submission receipt and any supporting records, such as sale documents, rental records or a police report number.

What if the toll invoice is wrong or you already paid?

Check:

  • Whether the registration number and state are correct

  • Whether the trip date and toll road are correct

  • Whether the vehicle was attached to your account

  • Whether your account was active and funded

  • Whether your tag was correctly assigned

  • Whether the payment was applied to the correct invoice

Contact Linkt first and ask for the matter to be reviewed. Give them copies of relevant receipts, account statements and correspondence.

If the issue remains unresolved, ask Linkt to refer the complaint through its internal resolution process.

After giving Linkt an opportunity to resolve the matter, you may be able to complain to the Tolling Customer Ombudsman. The Ombudsman deals with unresolved Linkt Brisbane complaints but cannot review a government infringement notice or a matter already before a court.

What if you cannot afford to pay?

Contact the relevant organisation before the deadline.

At the Linkt stage, Linkt Assist may provide options such as:

  • Extra time

  • A payment arrangement

  • Review of fees and charges

  • Temporary relief in eligible circumstances

Linkt Assist can be contacted on 1300 767 865, Monday to Friday.

Once a government infringement or SPER order has been issued, different assistance and payment-plan rules apply. See our guide to SPER toll fines and payment options.

How to identify a fake Linkt toll message

Toll scams commonly use urgent text messages or emails claiming that a payment is overdue.

Do not enter personal or payment information through an unexpected message. Instead:

  1. Open the Linkt website or app yourself.

  2. Search for the invoice using official channels.

  3. Check whether the vehicle and amount match your records.

  4. Report suspicious messages.

  5. Delete the message after saving any evidence you need.

Linkt advises that it does not request payment or personal information through links in unsolicited emails or text messages. Check Linkt’s current scam alerts.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to pay a Queensland toll?

For recent Brisbane travel, Linkt currently allows an eligible account to be backdated by up to nine days and a pass by up to five days.

Once a notice has been issued, use the due date printed on that particular document. Do not assume every Linkt notice has the same payment period.

Can a Linkt toll notice go to SPER?

Not directly.

A Linkt toll invoice or Demand Notice is not itself a SPER debt. Failure to comply with a Demand Notice may lead to a government infringement. If that infringement becomes overdue, it may then be registered with SPER.

How do I find an outstanding Linkt toll invoice?

Use the official Linkt toll invoice search with the vehicle registration and state, or the invoice or Demand Notice number. Avoid payment links in unsolicited text messages.

Can I transfer a toll notice to another driver?

A driver nomination may be available if someone else was driving, the vehicle had been sold, or the vehicle or plates were stolen. The process and deadline depend on whether you have a Linkt notice or a government infringement.

Can I dispute a toll notice?

Yes, but the correct process depends on the stage. Query a Linkt invoice with Linkt first. Follow the instructions on a government infringement if you wish to request a review, transfer responsibility or elect court.

Does paying Linkt cancel a government toll fine?

Not necessarily. A Linkt debt and a government infringement are separate matters. If an infringement has already been issued, contact the authority named on it and confirm what remains outstanding.

Who handles complaints about Linkt Brisbane?

Complain to Linkt first. If its internal complaint process does not resolve the matter, the Tolling Customer Ombudsman may be able to consider the dispute. It cannot decide complaints about government fines or court proceedings.

Robin Hood Tech’s position

Robin Hood Tech does not encourage people to ignore valid toll notices, infringement notices or legal deadlines.

Our concern is that a small road charge can move through several separate systems and grow through added fees and penalties before many motorists understand what document they have or how to respond.

We support clearer notices, transparent charging, accessible review processes and proportionate civil recovery.

Read more about the Robin Hood Tech legal challenge.

Official information

Important disclaimer

This page provides general information only. It is not legal advice and does not take account of your individual circumstances.

Tolling rules, fees, deadlines and procedures can change. Read the documents sent to you, confirm current information with the relevant organisation and obtain independent legal advice if you are considering court proceedings or are unsure about your rights.

Last reviewed: 22 September 2026