How to Pay Texas Tolls

Getting an Electronic Tag

Choose which toll road car tag you want. Texas has 3 different car tags used to pay for tolls. The tags are all very similar and you only need to get 1 of them. The tag allows you to access most toll roads in Texas. They differ slightly according to activation charges and fees, which you can read about on each agency’s website. TxTag is available at https://www.txtag.org/. Get a TollTag at https://www.ntta.org/custinfo/tolltag/Pages/default.aspx. EZ Tag is available at https://www.hctra.org/.

Order your tag from a transportation agency. The Texas Department of Transportation offers TxTags. TollTag is from the North Texas Tollway Authority in Dallas, and EZ Tag is from the Harris County Toll Road Authority in Austin. You can order the tags online or in person at some stores using cash, a check, or a credit card. For example, apply for a TxTag at https://www.txtag.org/txtagstorefront/en/. Find retail stores that sell tags, such as at https://www.hctra.org/HelpAndSupport#ez-tag-store-locations.

Sign up for an online account. Once you have submitted your tag application, go online to the respective agency’s website. Use the options on the toolbars near the top or left side of the page to open an online account. Submit your license plate and tag number if the agency requires it. Depending on the agency, you may need to wait for your tags to come in the mail first. You will need to pay a fee, currently $20 to $40 dollars USD, to activate the tag. Your account is what you use to prepay for tolls and handle any fees you incur. Official phone apps are available for each tag.

Clean your front windshield off with a glass cleaner. Once you receive your tag, you have to place it on your car to use it. Spray a liquid class cleaning solution, which you can get from a general store, onto the windshield. Then, wipe the area off with a microfiber cloth. Make sure the windshield is dry before attempting to install the tag.

Position the tag behind the rearview mirror. On most vehicles, the tag needs to be centered behind the rearview mirror. If you have a top-mounted mirror, place the tag about 4 in (10 cm) down from the top of the car. For windshield-mounted mirrors, place the tag ⁄2 in (1.3 cm) below the mount. If your vehicle doesn’t have a mirror, the tag is positioned either in the bottom-left corner of the windshield. If you have a motorcycle or the tag doesn’t stick to the windshield, you will need to order a special tag. Read the instructions included with your tag to position it correctly. This information is also available on each transportation agency website.

Peel off the adhesive backing and place the tag. Hold the edges of the tag with 1 hand, then peel off the backing with your free hand. Stick the tag to the windshield in the proper location, pressing it flat. Rub your thumb over the tag a few times to push out any air bubbles underneath it. The tag may not stick if the temperature is under 50 °F (10 °C). Use your car’s heater to warm up the windshield first. Removing the tag destroys the chip inside it. You only get 1 shot, so make sure you have it where you want it!

Using an Electronic Tag

Deposit money into your online toll account. Access your account on the website for the toll tag you chose, setting up a new account if you haven’t already. Deposit money by transferring it from a bank account. Put enough money into the account to cover any potential toll charges you may incur. Check your account before you travel to make sure it isn’t low on funds. You can usually add money to your account online as well as by calling the transportation agency responsible for the tag. If you don't have a bank account or credit card, you can pay toll charges by mail or by visiting the agency's customer service desk.

Set up automatic payments to avoid fees. While you are logged into your account, click on the “AutoPay” option. Provide your credit or debit card information to start making automatic payments. The AutoPay system transfers money from your bank account whenever your toll account is low on funds. By using AutoPay, you never have to worry about getting a bill in the mail. AutoPay is free and saves you money in the long run since you never get charged with fees.

Drive on a toll road to use the tag. Simply drive towards a toll road. You will see signs informing you which tags are valid for use on the toll road. Cameras installed above the toll booths read your tag and take the toll charges out of your account. If you do not have enough money in your account, you will get a bill in the mail. You can still drive on toll roads if you don’t have a tag. The cameras will read your license plate instead so the transit authority can send you a bill. If you prefer to make manual payments, you should still make sure you have enough money in your e-tag account.

Paying Tolls Manually

Receive your bill in the mail. Expect your toll bill to arrive within 1 to 2 weeks. The waiting time varies depending on how long it takes the transit authority takes to print and mail your bill. You will have about 30 days to pay your bill before extra fees are tacked onto it. You may get 2 bills if you have an electronic tag, 1 from the agency that manages the tag and another from the regional office that operates the toll road. Toll bills sent through the mail cost about ⅓ more than electronic bills and come with a $1 USD administrative fee.

Pay your bill online through a toll account. Read your bill carefully to see which transit office it is from. Visit their website to log into your account. Use your tag and license plate information to create an account if necessary. Then, pay with a credit or debit card. For example, pay the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority at https://ct.rmatoll.com/Home/Login. The transit authority will charge you a $1.15 USD fee every month until you put more money into your account.

Find a payment center to pay your bill in person. Use the transit office’s website to locate places that handle toll payments. Transit authorities accept payments at service centers in their respective cities. A few retail chains, including some general stores, may also handle payments. They accept cash, checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. Search using a payment center locator such as http://www2.datatel-systems.com/ext/client%20forms/CheckFreePayZIP.aspx. For example, TxTag has a service center at 12719 Burnet Road in Austin.

Send a check through the mail. Find the mailing address for the office that sent you the bill. You can find it by visiting their website or searching online. Pay using a check or money order. The transit authority may not accept a cash payment. For example, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is at MSB CTRMA Processing, PO BOX 16777, Austin, TX 78761-6777. TxTag is at P.O. Box 650749, Dallas, TX 75265-0749.

Call a service center to pay over the phone. Look up the contact number on the transit authority’s website. Call to add money to your electronic tag or pay a regional transit toll charge. You can pay using a credit or debit card, but you need your license and bill number handy. For instance, call the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority at (512) 410-0562 or (833) 762-8655 Call TxTag at 1-888-468-9824 or 001-214-210-0493.