E-ZPass does send text messages, but only if you set up a phone number in your account and choose to receive them
E-ZPass is an electronic toll collection system used on highways and bridges across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest. The system can send you text messages about low balances, toll charges, and account issues — but the service is not automatic. You have to register a mobile phone number with your E-ZPass account and turn on text notifications in your account settings before any messages will arrive.
The types of messages you can receive depend on which E-ZPass agency operates in your state. Most agencies offer low-balance alerts, which notify you when your prepaid account drops below a threshold you set. Some also send transaction confirmations, payment receipts, or warnings about account problems like a broken transponder or expired registration.
If you have not received a text you expected, the most common reason is that you never enabled text notifications in the first place. The second most common reason is that the phone number on file is outdated or incorrect.
Key Takeaways
- E-ZPass text messages are optional and require you to register a phone number and enable notifications through your account portal.
- Most E-ZPass agencies offer low-balance alerts, which you can customize to trigger at a balance amount you choose.
- Text messages typically cover low balances, toll transactions, payment confirmations, and account alerts like transponder failures.
- If you are not receiving texts, check that your phone number is current in your account and that text notifications are turned on.
How to set up text notifications on your E-ZPass account
The steps vary slightly depending on which E-ZPass agency operates in your state, but the general process is the same. Log into your account on the E-ZPass website or mobile app for your state. Look for a section labeled "Notifications," "Alerts," "Preferences," or "Account Settings" — the exact name depends on your agency.
Enter or confirm your mobile phone number. Make sure the number is the one where you actually receive text messages. Select which types of notifications you want to receive: low-balance alerts are standard, but some agencies also let you choose transaction alerts, payment confirmations, or account warnings. Save your changes.
After you enable text notifications, you should receive a confirmation text message within a few minutes. If you do not, double-check that the phone number in your account is correct and that your phone plan accepts text messages from short codes or automated systems. Some prepaid plans or international numbers may have restrictions.
What messages E-ZPass will and will not send
E-ZPass text messages are limited to account and toll-related information. You will receive alerts when your balance falls below the threshold you set, when a toll transaction posts to your account, or when a payment is processed. Some agencies also send warnings if your transponder is not reading properly, if your vehicle registration has expired, or if your account has been flagged for a violation.
E-ZPass will not send you promotional messages, marketing offers, or unsolicited advertisements unless you specifically opt in to a separate marketing list. The agency will not ask you to click links or read files in a text message — if you receive a text claiming to be from E-ZPass and asking you to verify account information or click a link, it is almost certainly a scam.
Text message frequency depends on your account activity. If you use the toll road daily, you may receive multiple transaction alerts per week. If you use it rarely, you might receive only a low-balance alert once or twice a year.
Which E-ZPass agencies send text messages
All major E-ZPass agencies support text notifications, but the specific features and message types vary. The E-ZPass Group operates in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Each state's agency has its own account portal and notification settings.
Before you set up texts, check which agency operates in your state by visiting the main E-ZPass website or searching for "[your state] E-ZPass." The agency name is usually "[State] Turnpike Authority" or "[State] Department of Transportation." Once you know which agency you use, log into that specific agency's portal to enable notifications.
If you have accounts with multiple E-ZPass agencies (for example, if you travel between New York and Pennsylvania), you will need to set up text notifications separately for each account. A phone number registered with one agency's account will not automatically receive messages from another agency.
Why you might not be receiving E-ZPass text messages
If you expected a text message and did not receive one, start by checking your account settings. Log in and look for the notifications or alerts section. Confirm that text notifications are turned on and that your phone number is correct. A single digit wrong in your phone number will prevent all messages from reaching you.
Check your phone's spam or junk folder. Some phones automatically filter messages from short codes or automated systems. If you find E-ZPass messages there, mark them as "not spam" so future messages go to your inbox.
If your account balance is above your alert threshold, you will not receive a low-balance alert — that is by design. If you have not used the toll road since you enabled notifications, you may not have received any messages yet straightforward because there has been no account activity to trigger one.
If you recently changed your phone number, you must update it in your E-ZPass account. The old number will not receive any more messages. Similarly, if you switched phone carriers or changed to a new phone, make sure the number in your account matches your current phone.
Scams that impersonate E-ZPass text messages
Scammers sometimes send fake E-ZPass text messages to trick people into revealing account information or clicking malicious links. A real E-ZPass text will never ask you to click a link, read an app, or enter your account number, password, or payment information in response to a text.
If you receive a suspicious text claiming to be from E-ZPass, do not click any links. Instead, log into your account directly through the official E-ZPass website or app to check your balance and account status. If something seems wrong, contact your E-ZPass agency's customer service by phone — the number is on your transponder or on the official website.
You can report a fake E-ZPass text to your phone carrier and to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Reporting helps protect other drivers from the same scam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive E-ZPass alerts on a landline or non-smartphone?
No. E-ZPass text message notifications require a mobile phone number that can receive SMS text messages. Landlines and some older phone services do not support text messaging. If you do not have a mobile phone, you can still monitor your account by logging into the E-ZPass portal online or calling customer service.
Will E-ZPass charge me for text messages?
E-ZPass does not charge you for the text messages themselves. However, your mobile phone plan may charge you for incoming text messages if you do not have unlimited texting. Check your plan details with your carrier if you are concerned about text message costs.
What if I want to stop receiving E-ZPass text messages?
Log into your E-ZPass account and turn off text notifications in the alerts or preferences section. You can disable all text messages or choose to receive only certain types of alerts. You can turn notifications back on at any time.
Can I receive E-ZPass alerts on multiple phone numbers?
Most E-ZPass agencies allow you to register only one phone number per account. If you need alerts sent to multiple people, check with your specific agency — some may allow you to add a secondary contact or set up a shared account.
How long does it take to receive an E-ZPass text after a toll transaction?
Transaction alerts typically arrive within a few minutes to a few hours after you pass through a toll plaza. Low-balance alerts are usually sent within 24 hours of your balance dropping below your threshold. Exact timing depends on the E-ZPass agency and your phone carrier.