What DriveEZMD is and how to pay tolls through it

DriveEZMD is Maryland's official toll payment system, run by the Maryland Transportation Authority. You can pay tolls online at www.driveezmd.com by setting up an account, adding a payment method, and either paying a specific toll bill or setting up a prepaid balance that deducts automatically when you use a toll road.

The system covers tolls on Maryland's major toll roads, including the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, the Fort McHenry Tunnel, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and several others. If you receive a toll bill in the mail or want to avoid future bills, paying online through DriveEZMD is the standard method.

Key Takeaways

  • You create a DriveEZMD account at www.driveezmd.com using your vehicle's license plate number and can pay tolls when ready without a transponder.
  • Paying online stops toll bills from arriving in the mail and prevents late fees from accumulating on unpaid tolls.
  • You can pay a single toll bill, set up a prepaid account that charges your card when the balance runs low, or link a transponder to your account for automatic deductions.
  • Payment methods include credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts, and most payments process within one business day.

Creating your DriveEZMD account

Go to www.driveezmd.com and select "Create Account" or "Sign Up." You will need your vehicle's license plate number, state of registration, and a valid email address. The system will ask you to create a password and verify your email by clicking a link Maryland sends you.

Once your account is active, you can when ready search for and pay any tolls owed on that vehicle. You do not need a transponder or any special equipment to use the online payment system—the tolls are tied to your plate number.

Paying a single toll bill online

After logging in, select "Pay Now" or "View Tolls" to see any unpaid tolls on your account. The system will show the toll amount, the road where it was incurred, and the date. Click the toll or bill you want to pay and proceed to checkout.

You will enter a payment method—credit card, debit card, or bank account—and confirm the amount. Most payments process within one business day, and you will receive a confirmation email with a receipt number. Paying online stops the Maryland Transportation Authority from sending you additional bills or notices in the mail.

Setting up a prepaid account

Instead of paying each toll individually, you can create a prepaid balance in your DriveEZMD account. Money in your prepaid account automatically deducts each time your vehicle uses a toll road. This method is faster than paying bills after the fact and prevents tolls from piling up.

To set up prepaid service, log in and select "Add Funds" or "Prepaid Account." Choose an amount to deposit (typically $25 to $500) and a payment method. Your card will be charged when ready, and the balance will be available right away. You can set up automatic reloads so the account refills when the balance drops below a certain amount—for example, automatically adding $50 when your balance falls below $10.

Linking a transponder to your account

If you have a Maryland E-ZPass transponder or a transponder from another state's toll system, you can link it to your DriveEZMD account. This lets you use the transponder at toll plazas while keeping your account active online for any tolls that the transponder misses.

To link a transponder, log in to your account, select "Transponder" or "Devices," and enter the transponder number (usually printed on the device or on your transponder paperwork). Once linked, tolls will deduct from your prepaid balance or be billed to your account depending on how you have set it up.

What to do if you receive a toll notice or late fee

If you receive a bill in the mail for unpaid tolls, you can pay it when ready through DriveEZMD to stop additional notices. Log in, find the toll or bill, and pay it online. Late fees may still appear on older bills, but paying through the website is faster than mailing a check and creates an when ready record of payment.

If you believe a toll was charged in error—for example, if you were not driving the vehicle or if the toll was already paid—you can dispute it through your account. Select the toll in question and choose "Dispute" or "Contest." The Maryland Transportation Authority will review your claim, though this process typically takes several weeks.

Payment methods and processing times

DriveEZMD accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and debit cards. You can also pay using a bank account if you provide your routing number and account number. Payments made before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time usually process the next business day, though weekend and holiday payments may take longer.

Once your payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not see a confirmation within two business days, log back into your account to verify the payment went through, or contact the Maryland Transportation Authority directly at 1-888-321-6714.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a transponder to pay tolls online?

No. You can pay tolls online using only your license plate number. A transponder is optional and is useful mainly if you want automatic deductions at toll plazas without stopping. You can use both methods on the same account.

What happens if I do not pay a toll?

Unpaid tolls accumulate late fees and eventually result in a bill sent to your address on file. If the bill remains unpaid, the Maryland Transportation Authority can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. Paying online stops this process when ready.

Can I pay tolls for a vehicle I do not own?

You can pay tolls for any vehicle by entering its license plate number, but you will need to create a separate account for each plate. The account holder is responsible for the tolls, so if you are paying on behalf of someone else, confirm with them first.

Is there a fee for paying tolls online?

No. DriveEZMD does not charge a fee for online payments. The only charges are the tolls themselves and any late fees that may have already been added to an unpaid bill.

What if my payment fails?

If your card is declined or your payment fails, DriveEZMD will notify you by email. Log back in and try a different payment method, or contact your bank to confirm the card is active. If the problem persists, call 1-888-321-6714 for help.