Golden Gate Bridge tolls are collected electronically, and you have three ways to pay: FasTrak account, one-time payment by license plate, or manual toll booth payment

The Golden Gate Bridge does not have traditional toll booths where you stop and hand over cash. Instead, tolls are read electronically as you drive through. If you do not have a FasTrak account set up before you cross, the bridge's automated system photographs your license plate and sends you an invoice by mail. You can also pay a one-time toll online without creating an account. The toll amount varies by vehicle type and time of day, with carpools and motorcycles receiving discounts during peak hours.

Your vehicle registration and the bridge's toll system are separate databases. The Golden Gate Bridge Authority does not automatically know who owns a car just from the registration—they identify you through the license plate photo and match it to your address through the Department of Motor Vehicles. This means tolls can follow you even if you do not live in California, because the bridge authority can request your contact information from any state's DMV.

Key Takeaways

  • FasTrak is a prepaid account that deducts tolls automatically and offers a small discount compared to paying by invoice.
  • If you cross without FasTrak, the bridge photographs your plate and mails you an invoice within two weeks.
  • One-time toll payments can be made online at goldengatebridgetoday.com without setting up an account.
  • Unpaid tolls accrue penalties and can eventually affect your vehicle registration renewal through the DMV.
  • Carpool and motorcycle discounts explore only during peak hours (weekday 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and require a valid FasTrak account.

How FasTrak Works and Why It Saves Money

FasTrak is a prepaid account system where you load money in advance and the toll is deducted each time you cross. You can open an account online at goldengatebridgetoday.com or by phone at 877-229-8873. You will need to provide your vehicle information, a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account), and a mailing address. The account is tied to your license plate, not your vehicle title, so if you sell the car you must update or close the account.

FasTrak accounts receive a discount on the toll amount—currently about 25 cents less per crossing than the invoice rate, though this varies. The account automatically replenishes when your balance drops below a set threshold, which you can adjust or disable. If your account balance goes negative, you will receive a bill in the mail, and the bridge authority can place a hold on your vehicle registration if the debt remains unpaid for several months.

FasTrak transponders are not required for the Golden Gate Bridge—the system reads your license plate automatically. However, some drivers use transponders for other Bay Area bridges and toll roads. If you have a FasTrak transponder from another agency, it will not work on the Golden Gate Bridge; you must use the license plate-based system instead.

Paying Without a FasTrak Account

If you cross the bridge without FasTrak, a camera photographs your license plate. The Golden Gate Bridge Authority matches the plate to your address through the DMV and mails you an invoice. This process takes about two weeks, and the invoice will include the toll amount plus a processing fee. You can pay the invoice by mail, phone, or online.

One-time toll payments are also available at goldengatebridgetoday.com. You can enter your license plate number and pay when ready without creating an account. This is useful if you are visiting the Bay Area and do not plan to cross the bridge again. Payment must be made within 21 days of crossing to avoid a penalty notice.

If you do not pay an invoice or one-time toll within the required timeframe, the bridge authority sends a penalty notice. Penalties typically double the original toll amount. If penalties remain unpaid for several months, the Golden Gate Bridge Authority can report the debt to the DMV, which may place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal or issuance of a new registration.

Toll Amounts by Vehicle Type and Time of Day

The Golden Gate Bridge charges different tolls based on vehicle class and time of crossing. Standard passenger cars pay one rate, while motorcycles, trucks, and recreational vehicles pay different amounts. Carpools (vehicles with three or more occupants) and motorcycles receive a discount during peak commute hours on weekdays.

Peak hours are 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Outside these windows, all vehicles pay the standard rate. To receive the carpool discount, you must have a valid FasTrak account and display a valid carpool permit or decal. Motorcycles also require FasTrak to receive their discount. If you cross during peak hours without the proper account setup, you will be charged the full rate.

Toll rates change periodically and are set by the Golden Gate Bridge Authority. Current rates are posted on goldengatebridgetoday.com. If you cross frequently, checking the website before your trip ensures you know the exact amount you will be charged.

What Happens If You Do Not Pay

Unpaid tolls create a debt record with the Golden Gate Bridge Authority. After an invoice goes unpaid for about 60 days, the authority sends a penalty notice that increases the amount owed. If the debt remains unpaid for several more months, the bridge authority reports it to the California DMV.

Once reported to the DMV, an unpaid toll debt can prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration. The DMV will flag your registration renewal and require proof that the toll debt has been paid before issuing a new registration. This applies even if you do not live in California—the DMV can place a hold on your registration based on the bridge authority's report.

If you receive a penalty notice and believe it is incorrect, you can dispute it by contacting the Golden Gate Bridge Authority directly. Disputes must be filed within a specific timeframe, usually 30 days from the notice date. Keep documentation of your crossing (such as a credit card statement showing a payment you made) to support your dispute.

Setting Up FasTrak for the First Time

To open a FasTrak account, visit goldengatebridgetoday.com and select "Open an Account." You will need your vehicle's license plate number, state of registration, vehicle type, and a valid payment method. The account can be opened in about 10 minutes. Once created, your account is active when ready, though it may take one business day for the system to recognize your plate on the bridge.

If you prefer to open an account by phone, call 877-229-8873. Customer service representatives can walk you through the process and answer questions about discounts or account settings. Phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific Time.

After opening your account, you can log in anytime to check your balance, view crossing history, update your payment method, or adjust automatic replenishment settings. If you change your vehicle's license plate (for example, after renewing your registration), you must update your FasTrak account with the new plate number to avoid receiving invoices in the mail.

Transferring or Closing Your FasTrak Account

If you sell your vehicle, you should close or transfer your FasTrak account to avoid confusion and potential debt. To transfer the account to a new vehicle, log into your account online and update the license plate number. The account remains active under your name and payment method.

To close an account, contact FasTrak customer service by phone or through the website. If your account has a positive balance (money remaining), the bridge authority will issue a refund by check or credit card, depending on how you originally funded the account. Refunds typically take two to four weeks. If your account has a negative balance, you will receive a bill for the amount owed before the account can be closed.

If you move out of state or no longer need the account, closing it prevents future charges and removes the risk of unpaid tolls affecting your registration. However, if you plan to cross the bridge again in the future, keeping the account open with a small balance is more convenient than paying invoices each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the Golden Gate Bridge toll with cash?

No. The bridge has not had traditional toll booths since 2010. All tolls are collected electronically by photographing your license plate. You must pay by FasTrak account, one-time online payment, or by invoice after receiving a bill in the mail.

What if I cross the bridge and do not have FasTrak?

Your license plate will be photographed and you will receive an invoice by mail within two weeks. You can pay the invoice online, by phone, or by mail. You will also be charged a processing fee in addition to the toll amount.

Do I need a FasTrak transponder for the Golden Gate Bridge?

No. The Golden Gate Bridge uses license plate recognition, not transponders. If you have a FasTrak transponder from another Bay Area toll facility, it will not work here. You must set up a license plate-based FasTrak account or pay by invoice.

Will an unpaid toll affect my vehicle registration?

Yes. If a toll debt goes unpaid for several months, the Golden Gate Bridge Authority reports it to the DMV. The DMV can then place a hold on your registration renewal, preventing you from renewing until the debt is paid.

How do I get the carpool discount?

You must have a valid FasTrak account and cross during peak hours (5 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays). Your vehicle must have three or more occupants. The discount is applied automatically when these conditions are met.