Thousands of Australians are unknowingly missing out on a travel windfall.
Over the past few years, millions have quietly been refunded to caravanners who took the time to claim what was rightfully theirs.
Yet hundreds of millions more remain untouched—just waiting for someone to notice.
If you’ve ever hit the road with a caravan, boat or horse float in tow, there’s a good chance you’ve been paying more than you should.
A little-known program called the Large Towed Recreational Vehicle Toll Rebate (LTRVT) could be the secret to clawing some of that money back.
Launched in 2020 in NSW, this rebate adjusts your tolls back to your original vehicle class, meaning you’re charged as a regular car—not the higher Class B rate that usually applies to larger vehicles like trucks.
Over 25,600 drivers have already taken advantage of the scheme, reclaiming a collective $2.9 million.
For everyday travellers, that’s no small change.
Here’s how it works: whenever you tow a caravan, boat trailer or horse float, your combination is automatically detected as a Class B vehicle on Sydney’s toll roads.
The rebate refunds the difference between that higher Class B rate and the standard car rate, helping you save each time you hit the motorway.
It applies across Sydney’s toll network, with the exception of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Harbour Tunnel.
LTRVT eligibility at a glance
- Combined vehicle length over 12.5 metres or height over 2.8 metres
- NSW registration for private, pensioner or charitable use
- Maximum eight toll trips claimed per month
- Must claim within 12 months of toll statement
But that’s not the only way caravanners can cash in.
In 2024, the NSW Government introduced a $60 weekly toll cap that allows drivers to claim additional rebates each quarter—worth up to $340 per week for each tag or licence plate.
This means regular travellers could double their savings by combining the LTRVT rebate with the broader toll relief program.
Together, the two schemes can dramatically reduce travel costs for those clocking up frequent trips through Sydney’s tollways.
Despite these generous offers, a staggering $130 million in toll relief remains unclaimed across the state.
The NSW Government recently issued a final reminder for motorists to claim their share before 30 June, which marks the deadline for toll relief accrued during 2024.
Drivers still have until 30 June 2026 to claim rebates from the 2025 calendar year.
Data shows that drivers in suburbs like Auburn received average toll relief of $554, while the state average sits at $254.
For grey nomads travelling regularly through toll zones, that could easily translate to hundreds in annual savings.
Registering for the LTRVT rebate is straightforward.
You’ll need to sign up through Transport for NSW, provide proof of your NSW residency, and submit your vehicle registration and toll account details.
Eligibility requirements are clear: both your car and caravan must be NSW-registered for private, pensioner or charitable use, and you must have travelled on toll roads while being charged as a Class B vehicle.
Tolls must also be paid in full using an NSW-issued tag or tagless product.
Meanwhile, the weekly toll cap rebate can be claimed through Service NSW, which handles quarterly payments for drivers who spend more than $60 per week.
To make the most of both programs, caravanners are encouraged to track toll spending carefully.
Keeping detailed records can help you stay within claiming windows and ensure you don’t miss out on rebates.
Service NSW noted that unclaimed quarterly rebates will continue to accrue until the claim window closes in mid-2026.
'An average $253 cash rebate will be welcomed by families.'
For many senior travellers, especially those exploring the caravan lifestyle on fixed incomes, these savings can make a meaningful difference.
Sydney’s toll network covers a wide area, and avoiding it often means longer drives or less convenient routes.
Because the LTRVT rebate is only available to NSW residents, interstate caravanners still need to pay full Class B rates—making it even more valuable for local travellers who frequently venture through Sydney.
Time is ticking, though.
Monday 30 June marks the final day to claim toll rebates for the 2024 period, and missing that date could mean losing hundreds in potential refunds.
Both the Transport for NSW and Service NSW websites offer simple online portals to register and claim.
With millions still sitting in government coffers, now might be the perfect time to check if you’re entitled to a slice of it.
If you’ve ever wondered why Sydney’s toll system feels so confusing—even with rebates and relief programs—this video breaks down the bigger picture behind the rising costs and driver frustrations.
Watch now to see how the city’s toll tangle affects your wallet and what’s really driving the price hikes.
Source: Youtube/Building Beautifully
What This Means For You
The Large Towed Recreational Vehicle Toll Rebate helps drivers get back the difference between Class B and regular car toll rates, ensuring they only pay what’s fair for their travels.
With the $60 weekly toll cap introduced in 2024, motorists can also receive quarterly rebates worth up to $340 per week—an impressive saving for those who spend time on Sydney’s busy toll network.
Despite these generous programs, over $130 million in toll relief still sits unclaimed across New South Wales.
Drivers have until 30 June 2026 to claim rebates from the 2025 calendar year, so now’s the perfect time to check your eligibility and make sure you’re not leaving money on the table.
For frequent travellers, these rebates aren’t just about saving a few dollars—they’re about taking back what you’ve already earned with every kilometre on the road.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated paying more at the toll gates even when rebates exist, you’re definitely not alone.
Many drivers have been voicing their anger about rising toll costs, saying they’re being unfairly charged without seeing real relief.
It’s a story that highlights just how important these rebate programs have become for anyone regularly using Sydney’s roads.
Read more: 'Insane and it's inequitable': Locals fume over sudden toll hikes
Caravanners save $2.9 million with little-known toll rebate — Yahoo News reports that more than 25,000 caravanners have claimed $2.9 million through the LTRVT scheme, which refunds toll overcharges for large towed vehicles in NSW.
Caravanners save $2.9 million with little-known toll rebate
Overview of toll rebate and cashback schemes — Linkt explains that the LTRVT rebate refunds drivers towing caravans, boats, or horse floats by adjusting tolls to the original vehicle class.
Toll relief | Service NSW — Service NSW outlines rebate eligibility for motorists spending between $60 and $400 on tolls weekly, with up to $340 per week claimable.
New $60 weekly toll cap starting in 2024 | Linkt — Details the NSW Government’s introduction of a $60 weekly toll cap from 1 January 2024.
NSW government toll relief deadline 2025 | Open Road — Highlights the NSW Government’s final call for motorists to claim their share of $130 million in unclaimed toll relief by 30 June 2025.
NSW government toll relief deadline 2025 | Open Road
Rebate Relief flowing to Sydney’s most tolled suburbs | Service NSW — Reports that Auburn drivers received the largest average toll rebates of $554, compared to a statewide average of $254.
Rebate Relief flowing to Sydney’s most tolled suburbs
Claim toll relief rebate – $60 weekly cap | Service NSW — Confirms that unclaimed quarterly rebates will accrue until the claim period closes on 30 June 2026.
Claim toll relief rebate – $60 weekly cap
New Recreational Vehicle Toll Rebate for large trailers in NSW — Pat Callinan’s 4X4 Adventures notes that the LTRVT rebate applies only to NSW residents, excluding interstate travellers.
New Recreational Vehicle Toll Rebate for large trailers in NSW - Pat Callinan's 4X4 Adventures
Could you be one of the thousands of NSW caravanners missing out on toll rebates that are rightfully yours?