New York toll payment works through three main systems depending on which road you use

New York operates tolls on the Major Deegan Expressway, Cross Bronx Expressway, Henry Hudson Parkway, Bruckner Expressway, and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge through the Toll Collection System (TCS). The Thruway Authority runs tolls on the New York State Thruway. The MTA Bridges and Tunnels division manages tolls on the East River crossings, the Whitestone Bridge, the Throgs Neck Bridge, and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Each system has its own payment methods and account structure, though they share some overlap in how you can pay.

You can pay tolls in real time using a transponder account, by mail after receiving a bill, or through a one-time payment portal if you do not have an account. The method you choose affects when you pay, how much you pay, and what happens if you miss a important date.

Key Takeaways

  • New York tolls are collected by three separate systems: TCS (Bronx expressways and Verrazano), the Thruway Authority (State Thruway), and MTA Bridges and Tunnels (East River crossings and other bridges).
  • A transponder account (E-ZPass or Tolls by Mail) charges your account automatically and costs less per crossing than paying without an account.
  • If you do not have an account, you will receive a bill by mail within 30 days; paying within the important date avoids a penalty.
  • Unpaid tolls accrue penalties and can result in vehicle registration holds, license suspension, and civil judgment against you.
  • You can set up an account, check your balance, and make one-time payments through the TCS website, the Thruway Authority website, or the MTA Bridges and Tunnels website.

E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail accounts charge less per crossing

E-ZPass is a transponder account that works across New York and multiple other states. You mount a small device on your windshield, and it communicates with toll readers as you pass through. The toll is deducted from your prepaid account balance. E-ZPass rates are typically 30 to 50 percent lower than the cash rate on the same crossing. You can open an E-ZPass account through the E-ZPass website or through a customer service center in New York.

Tolls by Mail is an account-based system that does not require a transponder. Your license plate is photographed at the toll plaza, and you receive a bill by mail. The toll rate for Tolls by Mail is lower than the non-account rate but higher than E-ZPass. You set up a Tolls by Mail account through the TCS website or by phone, and you pay the bill when it arrives.

Both accounts require a valid New York driver's license or ID and a working mailing address. You can add funds to an E-ZPass account online, by phone, or at a customer service center. Tolls by Mail accounts are billed automatically, so you do not prepay; instead, you receive an invoice and pay it by the due date.

Paying without an account: the one-time payment option and mail billing

If you do not have an E-ZPass or Tolls by Mail account, your license plate is still photographed at the toll plaza. Within 30 days, you will receive a bill by mail. The bill includes the toll amount, a due date (usually 30 days from the bill date), and instructions for payment. You can pay by check, money order, or online through the TCS website using a credit or debit card.

The toll rate for a one-time payment is higher than the account rate. For example, on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, a one-time payment might be $17.50 for a passenger vehicle, while an E-ZPass account holder pays around $11.76 and a Tolls by Mail account holder pays around $13.76. Rates vary by crossing and vehicle type.

If you lose the bill or do not receive it, you can look up your toll debt on the TCS website by entering your license plate number. The website will show you any outstanding tolls and allow you to pay online when ready.

What happens if you do not pay a toll on time

Missing the payment important date triggers a series of escalating consequences. First, the toll authority sends a second notice with a penalty added. The penalty amount varies by system but typically ranges from $25 to $100 per unpaid toll. If you still do not pay, the debt is referred to a collection agency, and your credit report may be affected.

After a certain period of non-payment (usually 60 to 90 days), the New York Department of Motor Vehicles can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. You cannot renew your registration until the toll debt is paid. In some cases, the DMV can also suspend your driver's license if the debt remains unpaid for an extended period.

The toll authority can also file a civil judgment against you in court. If a judgment is entered, the debt can be collected through wage garnishment, bank account levy, or a lien on your property. The longer the debt goes unpaid, the more expensive it becomes.

Thruway Authority tolls and payment methods

The New York State Thruway uses a separate toll system. You can pay using an E-ZPass account (which works on the Thruway), by cash at toll booths, or by mail if your plate is photographed. The Thruway Authority also offers a Thruway E-ZPass account, which is the same as the standard E-ZPass but managed through the Thruway's website.

If you do not have E-ZPass and do not pay cash at the booth, your plate is photographed and you receive a bill by mail. The payment important date and penalty structure are similar to the TCS system. You can set up a Thruway account or make a one-time payment through the New York State Thruway Authority website.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels tolls and payment methods

The MTA Bridges and Tunnels division manages the East River crossings (Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, Queensboro Bridge), the Whitestone Bridge, the Throgs Neck Bridge, and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. You can pay using E-ZPass, by mail, or by cash at toll booths on some crossings.

Like the other systems, if you do not have an account, your plate is photographed and you receive a bill. The MTA also offers a Tolls by Mail account specifically for MTA crossings. You can set up an account or pay a one-time toll through the MTA Bridges and Tunnels website.

Setting up an account and checking your balance

To open an E-ZPass account, visit the E-ZPass website, select New York, and follow the registration steps. You will need a valid driver's license, a vehicle registration, and a mailing address. You can also visit a customer service center in person. The account is active within a few business days, and you receive your transponder by mail.

To set up a Tolls by Mail account, go to the TCS website (for Bronx expressways and Verrazano) or the MTA website (for East River crossings) and register with your license plate number and mailing address. No transponder is required. The account is active when ready.

To check your E-ZPass balance, log into your account on the E-ZPass website or call the customer service number. To check a Tolls by Mail balance or look up an unpaid toll, enter your license plate on the TCS or MTA website. You can also call the toll authority directly with your plate number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I dispute a toll charge if I think it was wrong?

Yes. Contact the toll authority that issued the bill with your plate number and the date of the crossing. Provide any evidence you have, such as a receipt or proof you were not in the vehicle. The authority will investigate and adjust the charge if an error is found. The process typically takes two to four weeks.

What if I moved and did not receive my toll bill?

Contact the toll authority and update your mailing address when ready. You can also look up your toll debt on the TCS or MTA website using your license plate number. Pay the toll online to avoid penalties. If you have already received a penalty notice, you may be able to request a waiver if you can show the bill was sent to an old address.

Does E-ZPass work on all New York tolls?

E-ZPass works on the Bronx expressways, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, the East River crossings, the Whitestone Bridge, the Throgs Neck Bridge, and the New York State Thruway. It also works in other states if you travel outside New York. Not all toll facilities accept E-ZPass, so check the specific crossing before you assume your transponder will work.

Can I transfer my E-ZPass account to a different vehicle?

Yes. Log into your E-ZPass account online or call customer service and update your vehicle information. You will need the new vehicle's registration and license plate number. The change is usually processed within one business day. If you are transferring the transponder to a different vehicle, you may need to request a new transponder if the old one is damaged or incompatible.

What if my E-ZPass transponder is not working?

If tolls are not being deducted from your account, contact E-ZPass customer service with your account number and transponder number. They will troubleshoot the device and may send you a replacement. In the meantime, your plate may be photographed and you could receive a bill by mail. Once the transponder is fixed, you can request a refund for tolls charged at the higher rate during the outage.