What MD Toll Pay is and how it works
MD Toll Pay is Maryland's electronic toll collection system. When you drive on a toll road in Maryland—primarily the Maryland Transportation Authority (MTA) facilities like the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, Fort McHenry Tunnel, and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge—the toll is charged to an account you set up, rather than collected at a booth. The system reads your vehicle's license plate and bills you later, or deducts the toll from a prepaid balance if you have one.
You do not need a physical transponder or tag on your windshield to use MD Toll Pay. The system works by photographing your plate as you pass through a toll zone. If you have an account set up, the toll is charged to it. If you do not have an account, the state sends you an invoice by mail. Most drivers find it simpler to set up an account in advance so they know tolls are being paid and can track spending.
The toll amounts vary by facility and by vehicle type. A passenger car pays a different rate than a truck or motorcycle. Rates also differ depending on the time of day on some facilities, and whether you are a Maryland resident or an out-of-state driver. You can see the current toll schedule on the Maryland Transportation Authority website before you drive.
Key Takeaways
- MD Toll Pay charges tolls to your account based on your license plate; you do not need a physical transponder.
- You can set up an account online at mdtollpay.com or by phone at 1-888-321-6714 to pay tolls in advance or receive invoices by mail.
- If you do not have an account, Maryland will mail you an invoice after you drive through a toll zone, but setting up an account first is faster and gives you control over payment.
- Toll rates depend on your vehicle type, the specific facility, and sometimes the time of day; check the MTA website for current rates before you travel.
- Out-of-state drivers can use MD Toll Pay the same way Maryland residents do, and tolls will be charged to an account or invoiced by mail.
Setting up an MD Toll Pay account
To set up an account, visit mdtollpay.com or call 1-888-321-6714. You will need your vehicle's license plate number, your name, mailing address, and a phone number. The website also asks for an email address so you can receive notifications about your account. You do not need to provide payment information at the time you create the account; you can add a payment method later or wait to receive an invoice.
Once your account is created, you can add a prepaid balance if you want to pay tolls in advance. This is optional. Many drivers do this to avoid receiving invoices in the mail, or to take advantage of a small discount that Maryland offers for prepaid accounts. You can add funds by credit card, debit card, or bank transfer through the website.
If you own multiple vehicles, you can add them all to the same account or create separate accounts. This is useful if you want to track spending by vehicle or if different household members drive different cars. Each vehicle is registered by its license plate number.
How tolls are charged and invoiced
When you drive through a toll zone, a camera photographs your plate. The system matches the plate to your account (if you have one) and charges the toll. If you have a prepaid balance, the toll is deducted from it. If your balance runs low or you do not have an account, Maryland sends you an invoice by mail to the address on file.
Invoices typically arrive within two to three weeks of when you drove through the toll zone. The invoice shows the date, time, location, and toll amount for each crossing. You can pay the invoice by mail, by phone, or online at mdtollpay.com. Payment by mail should be sent to the address shown on the invoice.
If you have questions about a specific toll charge, you can contact the Maryland Transportation Authority customer service line at 1-888-321-6714. They can look up your crossing and explain the charge. If you believe a toll was charged in error—for example, if your vehicle was misidentified—you can dispute it by providing details of the crossing and any supporting information.
Toll rates and discounts for Maryland residents
Maryland residents who set up a prepaid account receive a discount on most tolls. The discount is typically 10 to 20 percent off the standard toll rate, depending on the facility. This discount applies automatically when you pay from a prepaid balance. Out-of-state drivers and drivers without an account pay the full toll rate.
Toll rates vary by facility and vehicle type. A passenger car crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, for example, pays a different rate than a truck. Rates also change periodically—usually annually—and are set by the Maryland Transportation Authority. You can view the current toll schedule on the MTA website before you travel, so you know what to expect.
Some facilities offer discounts for specific groups, such as disabled drivers or emergency responders. These discounts are not automatic; you must register for them separately through the MTA. Contact customer service at 1-888-321-6714 to learn whether you may be may be able to access for a special discount and how to register.
What happens if you do not pay a toll
If you drive through a toll zone without an account and do not pay an invoice when it arrives, the debt can accumulate. Maryland may add penalties and late fees to your account. If the debt remains unpaid for an extended period, the state can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal, meaning you will not be able to renew your tags until the toll debt is settled.
If you receive an invoice and cannot pay it when ready, contact the Maryland Transportation Authority at 1-888-321-6714. They can discuss payment options with you, such as a payment plan. It is better to contact them before your registration renewal is due, because resolving the debt before that point is simpler than dealing with a registration hold.
If you believe an invoice is incorrect or if you have a dispute about a toll charge, respond to the invoice or contact customer service. Ignoring an invoice does not make it go away, and the penalties will continue to grow. Addressing the issue early prevents larger problems later.
Using MD Toll Pay as an out-of-state driver
If you live outside Maryland and drive on Maryland toll roads, you can set up an MD Toll Pay account the same way a resident does. You will need a valid mailing address (which can be your out-of-state address) and a vehicle license plate. The system works identically: your plate is photographed, and the toll is charged to your account or invoiced by mail.
Out-of-state drivers do not receive the prepaid discount that Maryland residents get. You will pay the standard toll rate. However, setting up an account is still useful because it lets you track your tolls and avoid receiving invoices in the mail. If you frequently drive on Maryland toll roads, an account makes the process more convenient.
If you receive an invoice for a toll you do not recognize, or if you have questions about a charge, you can contact customer service at 1-888-321-6714. They can look up the crossing and explain the charge, even if you live out of state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a transponder or tag to use MD Toll Pay?
No. MD Toll Pay uses license plate recognition, not a physical device. Your plate is photographed as you pass through a toll zone, and the toll is charged to your account or invoiced by mail. You do not need to install or carry anything in your vehicle.
What if I drive a rental car or borrowed vehicle through a toll zone?
If the vehicle is registered to someone else, the toll will be invoiced to the registered owner's address. If you borrowed the car, the owner will receive the invoice and may ask you to reimburse them. If you rented the car, the rental company may charge you a toll fee plus a processing fee. To avoid this, ask the rental company whether they offer a toll payment option before you pick up the vehicle.
Can I get a refund if I overpaid my account?
Yes. If your prepaid balance is higher than the tolls you owe, you can request a refund through mdtollpay.com or by calling 1-888-321-6714. Refunds are typically processed within two to four weeks and returned to the payment method you used to add the funds.
What if my license plate changes?
You should update your plate number in your MD Toll Pay account as soon as you receive new plates. You can do this online at mdtollpay.com or by calling 1-888-321-6714. If you do not update it, tolls on your new plate will be invoiced by mail to your address, and you may miss the connection to your existing account.
How do I know if I have unpaid tolls that could affect my registration renewal?
Log into your MD Toll Pay account at mdtollpay.com to check your balance and see any outstanding invoices. You can also call 1-888-321-6714 to ask about your account status. If you have unpaid tolls, settle them before your registration renewal date to avoid a hold on your tags.