How to Pay Your Toll Bill in Texas

Driving on toll roads in Texas? You’ll need to pay the tolls you incur by the due date to avoid fees and violations. This guide covers everything you need to know about paying toll bills in Texas, including TxTAG accounts, Pay By Mail options, payment locations, and handling violations.

Overview of Texas Toll Bills

Texas has an extensive network of toll roads managed by various authorities. When you drive on a toll road, here’s how billing works:

• Tolls are calculated based on where you enter and exit the toll road Rates vary by road

• TxTAG electronic transponders automatically deduct tolls from a prepaid account.

• For Pay By Mail, your license plate is photographed and a bill is mailed to the registered owner.

• To avoid a $1 fee, Pay By Mail bills must be paid within 30 days of being sent. 15 per toll penalties.

• Unpaid tolls become violations with escalating fines of up to $300 per toll if not resolved.

• Repeat violators may face vehicle registration blocks, citation to court, or impoundment.

So it’s critical to pay all toll bills fully and on time to prevent costly consequences down the road. Keep reading to learn how

Getting a TxTAG Account

The easiest way to pay tolls in Texas is with a TxTAG account. TxTAG is an electronic prepaid toll account with a small transponder sticker that affixes to your windshield. Here’s how it works:

• Open your account at www.TxTAG.org with $10 minimum balance

• Receive the TxTAG transponder in the mail to mount in your vehicle

• Tolls are automatically deducted whenever you drive on a participating toll road

• Credit card on file replenishes account as balance gets low

TxTAG avoids toll bills and violations, plus qualifying accounts get discounted toll rates. TxTAG works on all toll roads in Texas. Sign up in advance before your trip.

Paying Bills from Pay By Mail

If you drive Texas toll roads without a TxTAG, you’ll receive a Pay By Mail bill in the mail for the tolls owed. Here are tips for handling Pay By Mail bills:

• Review the date, road, toll amount, and vehicle photo to verify accuracy.

• Pay online, by phone, or by mail before the due date printed on the bill.

• Keep your address updated with DMV so bills reach you promptly.

• Contact the toll authority immediately with billing disputes or errors.

• A one-time $1.15 per toll penalty applies if paying after the due date.

Pay By Mail allows occasional toll road travel without needing a prepaid account. But prompt payment is essential to avoid violations.

Where to Pay Your Toll Bill

You have various options to pay your Texas toll bill:

• Online – Pay bills for most authorities through www.TxTAG.org or the authority website.

• By Phone – Call the toll authority to pay bills with a credit card over the phone.

• By Mail – Detach and mail payment stub from bill with check or money order.

• Walk-In Locations – Take bills to select retail stores like HEB, Fiesta Mart, or Ace Cash Express. Locations vary by authority.

• In Person – Visit the toll authority customer service center during business hours.

• TxTAG Mobile App – Pay bills and manage your TxTAG account from your smartphone.

Online, phone, and mail payments can be made 24/7 for convenience. Avoid waits by paying early in the cycle before due dates.

Auto-Replenishment with TxTAG

TxTAG accounts offer the option for auto-replenishment when your balance runs low. With auto-replenishment:

• Link your TxTAG account to a credit card or bank account.

• Set your replenishment threshold amount.

• When your TxTAG balance drops below that amount, your linked payment method is charged to automatically add funds.

Auto-replenishment ensures your TxTAG stays active with funds to pay tolls and avoids disruption to your commutes. Monitor your balance and transactions regularly.

Managing a Violation Notice

If a toll bill goes unpaid past the due date, it becomes a violation with fines up to $300 per toll. Here are tips for handling a violation:

• Pay the unpaid toll amount immediately to stop further penalties.

• A $100 violation fee per toll applies after 30 days unpaid. This increases over time.

• Submit appeal letters promptly disputing any invalid violations.

• Unpaid violations are referred for vehicle registration blocks and collection.

• Repeat violators may have to appear in court or have their vehicle impounded.

Take care of violations right away. The toll authority can dismiss penalties for first time offenders who pay promptly.

Avoid Future Violations

Follow these best practices to avoid toll violations going forward:

• Open a TxTAG account to automatically pay all tolls.

• Pay Pay By Mail bills by the due date and keep your address current.

• Carefully review your routes to understand where tolls apply. Avoid toll roads if you can’t pay.

• Know the toll policies if renting or borrowing a car. Pay promptly or transfer tolls to the driver.

• Update payment info and contact details associated with your toll accounts.

• Sign up for account alerts and notifications by text or email.

Staying on top of your toll bills and account maintenance prevents violations down the road. Don’t ignore toll charges.

Convenience of Electronic Toll Payments

TxTAG and other electronic payment methods like Pay By Mail provide easy, convenient ways to handle toll payments across Texas. Avoid future violations by paying on time. Contact the toll authority promptly with any account issues or disputed charges. Keeping your account in good standing ensures open roads ahead.