New York toll payment happens through three separate systems, each covering different roads

New York has three toll authorities, and each one runs its own payment system. The New York State Thruway Authority handles the Thruway and most major highways. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) runs tolls on bridges and tunnels around New York City. The Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA), which is part of the MTA, manages the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and several tunnels. You cannot pay all three through one website or account.

If you drive in New York regularly, you will likely use more than one system. A commuter from New Jersey might cross an MTA bridge to reach the Thruway. Someone in the city might use both TBTA tunnels and MTA bridges. Each toll authority offers online payment options, but the process and account setup differ between them.

Key Takeaways

  • The New York State Thruway Authority, MTA, and TBTA each operate separate toll systems with separate online payment portals.
  • E-ZPass is the fastest way to pay tolls on all three systems and can be set up online, but you can also pay tolls after you cross by mail or through each authority's website.
  • The Thruway Authority accepts payment at thruway.ny.gov; the MTA accepts payment at mta.info; TBTA tolls can be paid through the MTA website.
  • If you receive a toll bill in the mail, you have 30 days to pay before late fees are added, and you can pay online using the bill number.
  • Rental cars and out-of-state vehicles receive bills by mail because they cannot use E-ZPass; payment must be made within the timeframe on the bill.

Paying New York State Thruway tolls online

The Thruway Authority runs the New York State Thruway, the Northway, and several other state highways. To pay a toll bill online, go to thruway.ny.gov and select "Pay a Toll Bill" or "Pay Tolls." You will need the toll bill number, which appears on any bill you receive in the mail. If you do not have a bill number, you can search by license plate number and the date you crossed.

Payment is accepted by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. The Thruway Authority does not charge a fee for online payment. If you cross the Thruway regularly, setting up an E-ZPass account is faster than paying bills after the fact. E-ZPass accounts can be opened online at thruway.ny.gov and linked to a credit card or bank account for automatic deductions each time you cross.

If you do not pay within 30 days of receiving a bill, the Thruway Authority adds a late fee and may suspend your vehicle registration. Unpaid tolls can also appear on your driving record and affect your ability to renew your registration in New York.

Paying MTA and TBTA tolls online

The MTA collects tolls on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, the Whitestone Bridge, the Throgs Neck Bridge, the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, and several tunnels including the Queens-Midtown Tunnel and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel. The TBTA, which is part of the MTA, also manages the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge. To pay these tolls online, visit mta.info and look for the "Pay Tolls" or "Tolls" section.

Like the Thruway, the MTA accepts payment by credit card, debit card, or electronic check using your toll bill number or license plate number and crossing date. There is no fee for online payment. You have 30 days from the date on your bill to pay before late fees are applied.

E-ZPass works on all MTA and TBTA tolls and can be set up through the MTA website. An E-ZPass account automatically deducts tolls from your linked payment method each time you cross. The MTA also offers a program called Tolls by Mail, which sends you a bill after you cross if you do not have E-ZPass. This is the default for rental cars and out-of-state vehicles.

Setting up E-ZPass for faster toll payment

E-ZPass is a transponder system that reads your vehicle as you pass through a toll plaza and automatically charges your account. It is faster than stopping to pay cash and faster than waiting for a bill in the mail. E-ZPass works on all New York toll roads—the Thruway, the MTA bridges and tunnels, and the TBTA facilities—as well as toll roads in other states.

To open an E-ZPass account, visit the website for the authority that covers the roads you use most. If you use both the Thruway and MTA tolls, you can open an account with either one; the transponder works on both systems. The account setup takes about 10 minutes and requires a valid driver's license, vehicle registration, and a credit card or bank account for automatic payments.

Once your account is open, you will receive a transponder in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. The transponder mounts on your windshield and communicates with toll plazas as you drive through. Most E-ZPass accounts charge a small monthly maintenance fee (usually $1.50 to $2.50) even if you do not use the tolls that month. Some accounts waive the fee if your balance stays above a certain amount.

What happens if you do not pay a toll bill

If you receive a toll bill and do not pay within 30 days, late fees are added. The amount varies by authority, but late fees typically range from $25 to $100 depending on the toll amount and how long the bill remains unpaid. After 60 days, the toll authority may report the debt to a collection agency.

Unpaid tolls can also affect your vehicle registration. New York will not renew your registration if you have outstanding toll debt, and some other states have reciprocal agreements that prevent registration renewal there as well. If you are unsure whether you have unpaid tolls, you can check your status on each authority's website using your license plate number.

If you received a bill for a vehicle you no longer own or that was rented, contact the toll authority directly. Rental car companies are responsible for tolls on rental vehicles, but if you were charged in error, the authority can investigate and remove the charge from your account.

Paying tolls for rental cars and out-of-state vehicles

Rental cars and vehicles registered outside New York cannot use E-ZPass because the transponder is tied to a specific vehicle registration. Instead, these vehicles are automatically enrolled in Tolls by Mail, and the rental company or vehicle owner receives a bill 2 to 4 weeks after crossing.

If you rented a car in New York, the rental company is responsible for paying the toll bill. However, some rental companies charge customers a processing fee (typically $3 to $5 per toll) in addition to the toll amount. Check your rental agreement to see whether tolls are included or if you will be charged separately.

If you own a vehicle registered outside New York and cross a New York toll, you will receive a bill by mail. Payment must be made within 30 days using the bill number. Some toll authorities accept payment from out-of-state residents online, but others may require a check or money order. Check the specific authority's website for payment methods available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a toll bill online if I do not have the bill number?

Yes. All three toll authorities allow you to search for tolls by license plate number and the date you crossed. You will need to provide the state where your vehicle is registered and the approximate date of the crossing. Once you locate the toll, you can pay online when ready.

Do I have to set up E-ZPass to drive on New York tolls?

No. You can drive through any toll plaza without E-ZPass and receive a bill by mail later. However, E-ZPass is faster at toll plazas and usually saves money because you avoid late fees if you forget to pay a bill. E-ZPass is required only if you want to use certain express lanes on some highways.

What if I paid a toll twice by mistake?

Contact the toll authority that charged you. Provide your bill number or license plate number and the date of the crossing. The authority can review the transaction and issue a refund or credit to your account if a duplicate charge is found. Refunds typically take 4 to 6 weeks to process.

Can I pay tolls for someone else's vehicle online?

Yes, if you have the bill number or the vehicle's license plate number and registration state. You do not need to be the registered owner to pay a toll bill online. However, if you want to set up an E-ZPass account for a vehicle you do not own, you will need the owner's permission and their driver's license information.

What is the difference between E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail?

E-ZPass is a transponder system that automatically charges your account as you cross; there is no bill. Tolls by Mail sends you a bill 2 to 4 weeks after you cross. E-ZPass is faster and usually cheaper because you avoid late fees, but Tolls by Mail is automatic for rental cars and out-of-state vehicles that cannot use E-ZPass.