Pay your Golden Gate Bridge toll online, by mail, or through FasTrak before your violation notice arrives
If you drove across the Golden Gate Bridge without paying, you have a grace period to settle the toll before the bridge authority issues a violation notice. The fastest route is to pay online through the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District website using your license plate number. You can also mail a check, set up a FasTrak account for future crossings, or call the toll operations line to pay by phone.
The toll amount depends on your vehicle type and the time of day you crossed. Standard passenger vehicles pay one rate; motorcycles, RVs, and trucks pay different amounts. Rates also vary by time of crossing — peak hours (weekday mornings and evenings) cost more than off-peak times. Check the bridge's official toll schedule to confirm what you owe.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay a missed Golden Gate Bridge toll online at the Golden Gate Bridge official website using your license plate number, without needing a toll tag or account.
- The grace period to pay before a violation notice is issued varies, so paying within a few days of crossing reduces the risk of additional penalties.
- FasTrak is the bridge's automatic payment system and offers a small discount on tolls, but you must set it up before crossing to use it.
- If you receive a violation notice, you can still pay the original toll amount, but you will also owe a violation penalty on top of it.
Paying online with your license plate number
The Golden Gate Bridge website has a toll payment portal where you enter your license plate and vehicle information. You do not need a FasTrak account or toll tag to use this method. The system will show you the toll amount owed based on your vehicle type and the crossing date you select.
Payment is accepted by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number. Keep this for your records in case you need to dispute a later violation notice. The payment typically posts within one to two business days.
Setting up FasTrak for automatic payments
FasTrak is the Golden Gate Bridge's electronic toll collection system. If you cross the bridge regularly, a FasTrak account saves you money — tolls are discounted compared to paying per crossing. You can set up an account online or by phone, and the system deducts tolls automatically from your linked payment method each time you cross.
FasTrak requires a transponder (a small device mounted on your windshield) or a license plate-based account. License plate accounts are simpler to set up if you do not want to install hardware. Once active, your account covers all future crossings. If you already have a violation notice, you can still open a FasTrak account, but it will not erase the penalty — it only prevents future violations.
Paying by phone or mail
You can call the Golden Gate Bridge toll operations line to pay by phone using a credit or debit card. The phone number is listed on the bridge's official website. Have your license plate number and vehicle information ready when you call.
To pay by mail, send a check to the address provided on the bridge's website, along with a note that includes your license plate number, vehicle type, and the date you crossed. Mail payment takes longer to process than online or phone payment, so use this method only if you do not have access to a card or phone payment option.
What happens if you miss the grace period
If you do not pay within the grace period (typically 21 days, though this can vary), the Golden Gate Bridge authority will mail a violation notice to the address registered with your vehicle's license plate. The notice will include the original toll amount plus a violation penalty. The penalty is significantly higher than the toll itself.
You can still pay the violation notice by the important date listed on it. If you ignore the notice or miss the important date, the bridge authority may refer the debt to a collection agency or suspend your vehicle registration. Paying as soon as you realize you missed a crossing is always cheaper than waiting for a violation notice.
Disputing a toll charge or violation notice
If you believe you were charged incorrectly or crossed the bridge but did not receive a toll notice, you can contact the Golden Gate Bridge customer service to dispute the charge. You will need to provide your license plate number, the date of crossing, and details about why you believe the charge is wrong.
If you received a violation notice and want to contest it, the notice itself will include instructions for filing a dispute. You typically have a limited time to respond, so act quickly. Common grounds for dispute include crossing the bridge in a different vehicle than the one registered to your license plate or a system error on the bridge's end.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to pay before I get a violation notice?
The grace period is typically 21 days from the date you crossed, though this can vary. The Golden Gate Bridge website states the current grace period. Paying within a few days is safest — do not wait until the last day.
What if I crossed in a rental car or borrowed vehicle?
If the vehicle is registered to someone else, the toll notice goes to that person's address. If you borrowed the car, contact the owner when ready so they can pay or dispute the charge. If you rented the car, the rental company may charge you a toll recovery fee on top of the toll itself.
Can I use FasTrak from another bridge or highway?
FasTrak is used on multiple Bay Area bridges and highways, including the Bay Bridge and San Mateo Bridge. A single FasTrak account works across all participating facilities. Tolls and discounts vary by location.
What if I paid online but still received a violation notice?
Contact the Golden Gate Bridge customer service with your payment confirmation number. Processing delays can cause notices to mail before payment posts. Provide proof of payment and request that the violation notice be cancelled.
Do I have to set up FasTrak to cross the bridge?
No. You can pay per crossing using the online portal, phone, or mail. FasTrak is optional and is mainly useful if you cross regularly and want the discount and convenience of automatic payment.