PLUS Malaysia Berhad has begun a pilot of automated number plate recognition (ANPR) ‘open payment’ tolling on the North-South Expressway, positioning the project as a step toward multi-lane fast-flow in Malaysia and aiming to reduce congestion and unsafe last-minute lane changes at toll plazas.
The first-stage pilot covers the Hutan Kampung–Sungai Dua stretch, spanning 87.7km (54.4 miles), and applies to private vehicles using nine toll plazas: Hutan Kampung, Alor Setar Utara, Alor Setar Selatan, Pendang, Gurun, Sungai Petani Utara, Sungai Petani Selatan, Bertam and Sungai Dua.
Under the scheme, registered users are no longer restricted to specific toll lanes, with PLUS saying highway users can now enjoy “lane freedom” by entering and exiting through any toll lane at participating plazas.
According to the operator, ANPR cameras installed at toll plazas capture vehicle number plates and automatically process toll charges through a mobile-based payment platform linked to a user’s chosen payment method.
PLUS said the system is supported by “artificial intelligence and machine learning” and is designed to recognise vehicles under varying operating conditions including weather, speed, viewing angles and non-standard licence plates, with performance improving over time.
To use the ANPR pilot, motorists are required to download the JustGO Malaysia mobile app, register their vehicles and link a payment method such as a debit or credit card, with PLUS stating there is no need for additional devices and there is “no upfront cost to users”.
FREE: Subscribe to the monthly Road User Charging Newsletter!
The company added that further payment options, including e-wallets and online banking, will be introduced in the coming months.
PLUS also described the app as an “open payment digital platform intended to be co-owned by the highway industry”, aligning it with the government’s stated aim of expanding toll payment flexibility.
The app includes an e-invoicing facility, although existing payment methods such as Touch ‘n Go cards, SmartTAG and RFID will remain available alongside the pilot.
While the pilot is positioned as a milestone toward future multi-lane free-flow deployment, PLUS confirmed that physical barriers will remain in place during this stage. Users are advised to maintain speeds of 20–25km/h (12–15mph) when passing through toll plazas without stopping.
PLUS said it has been conducting extensive ANPR testing since September 2024 and reported that results indicate faster detection compared to existing tolling systems, citing wider camera coverage at toll plazas.
The testing has been carried out in collaboration with the Malaysian Highway Authority and other highway concessionaires.
Discover the key trends and challenges shaping the future of user-funded transportation – spanning tolling, road pricing and usage-charges – at Akabo Media’s global Road User Charging Conference series. Join senior decision makers from around the world as they tackle the issues defining the industry in Brussels (March 2026), Abu Dhabi (May 2026), Washington DC (September 2026), and Singapore (December 2026). Gain invaluable insights, share innovative ideas and network with global leaders driving the transformation of transportation systems. Click here to learn more and secure your place at these unmissable events!
