You can use FasTrak to pay tolls on every tolled bridge, lane and road in California. FasTrak accounts are free, but may require a refundable toll tag security deposit and a starting toll balance. Toll payment is made with a FasTrak toll tag or by processing an image of your vehicle’s license plate. For California vehicles, the first Toll Invoice is sent approximately one week after you cross the Golden Gate Bridge; for out-of-state vehicles, it may take longer. Thereafter, invoices are mailed on a 30-day cycle if you cross the Bridge again in the same vehicle and you don't pay your toll using FasTrak, a License Plate Account, or a One-Time Payment.
Short-Term License Plate Account
It is illegal to hold a toll tag up by hand while driving through a toll collection point. They have a three-position switch that can be adjusted to signal whether you are traveling as a carpool or alone. The time, date and location of the driver’s toll crossing are also recorded.
License Plate Account
If you do not take action to open a FasTrak Account, open a License Plate Account, or make a One-Time Payment, a Toll Invoice is generated and mailed to the registered own of the vehicle. The amount due will invoice number meaning be for the toll amount only; there are no added fees or penalties. When it is time to replenish your FasTrak Account, the driver feedback display located in each toll lane reads “Low Bal” or "Account Low."
How can I update my account information?
A License Plate Account can be opened with a credit card or with cash, check, or money order. If you open your account with a credit card, the Golden Gate Bridge toll is charged to your credit card each time your vehicle crosses the Bridge. There is no prepaid toll balance required and there are no extra fees.
- If you are receiving "pay by plates" often, check to see if your transponder is properly mounted.
- The amount due will be for the toll amount only; there are no added fees or penalties.
- Learn more about driving a rental vehicle on The Toll Roads.
- A fee may be assessed for accounts with excessive "pay by plate" transactions.
- If you open your account with a credit card, the Golden Gate Bridge toll is charged to your credit card each time your vehicle crosses the Bridge.
Mounting an Exterior Toll Tag
The violation notice will be sent to you at the address you have on file with the rental car agency. The 25 toll facilities are operated by different agencies throughout the state, but they all utilize FasTrak for toll payment. Your FasTrak account, regardless of which toll agency your account is with, can be used to pay tolls everywhere in California. It's important to get a transponder from the agency that operates the bridge, lane or road you will use most because each tolling agency has its own rules and minimum requirements. To learn more about The Toll Roads’ FasTrak accounts, click here.
Paying with FasTrak is the only way to receive discounted tolls for carpools, motorcycles, and eligible clean air vehicles, as well as the lowest toll rate on the Golden Gate Bridge. FasTrak Standard toll tags still work on Bay Area bridges and in express lanes for the full toll amount. They will not provide any carpool discounts in express lanes. A One-Time Payment is exactly that - you pay your toll, one payment at a time. PlatePass is the only rental agency toll payment service that can be used to pay tolls in Bay Area Express Lanes.
It's important to get a transponder from the agency that operates the tolled bridge, lane or road you’ll use most because each tolling agency has its own rules and requirements. All Bay Area toll bridges have switched to automatic toll collection. Cash payment is no longer collected at any of the eight toll bridges. The Toll Roads is the account and payment processing partner for SB Express Lanes.