The Bay Area Toll Authority collects tolls on seven bridges and manages the FasTrak system across the region

The Bay Area Toll Authority (operating as the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District for the Golden Gate Bridge, and through the Bay Area Toll Authority for the other six bridges) runs tolling on the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, Dumbarton Bridge, Carquinez Bridge, Benicia-Martinez Bridge, and Antioch Bridge. The authority does not own all these bridges — some are owned by Caltrans or local agencies — but the toll authority collects the tolls and manages the payment system.

The system works through FasTrak, an electronic toll collection tag that you mount on your windshield. When you pass through a toll plaza, the tag communicates with overhead readers and deducts the toll from your prepaid account. If you do not have a FasTrak tag, the toll authority photographs your license plate and sends you an invoice by mail. This is called a Pay-by-Plate transaction, and it costs more than using FasTrak.

Tolls vary by bridge, time of day, and vehicle type. The Bay Bridge, for example, charges different rates during peak and off-peak hours on weekdays. Motorcycles, carpools, and certain low-emission vehicles may pay reduced rates or no toll at all, depending on the bridge and the number of occupants. Trucks and vehicles with more than two axles pay higher tolls.

Key Takeaways

  • FasTrak is the electronic toll tag system; tolls are lower if you use it than if you pay by license plate.
  • Tolls vary by bridge, time of day, and vehicle type — check the specific bridge's rate schedule before you travel.
  • If you do not have a FasTrak tag, the toll authority will photograph your plate and mail you an invoice at a higher rate.
  • You can set up a FasTrak account online, by phone, or by mail, and you can link it to a credit card or bank account for automatic replenishment.
  • If you receive a toll invoice you believe is wrong, you can dispute it through the toll authority's website or by phone within a set timeframe.

How FasTrak accounts work and what they cost

To open a FasTrak account, you provide your vehicle information, a valid payment method (credit card or bank account), and a mailing address. The toll authority mails you a FasTrak tag, which you mount on the inside of your windshield. You then load money into your account — the minimum opening balance varies but is typically between $25 and $50 — and the tag deducts tolls as you pass through toll plazas.

FasTrak tolls are lower than Pay-by-Plate tolls on every bridge. For example, on the Bay Bridge, a FasTrak passenger vehicle might pay $6.15 during peak hours, while a Pay-by-Plate vehicle pays $7.15 for the same trip. The difference adds up quickly if you cross regularly.

Your account can be set to automatically replenish when the balance drops below a threshold you choose. You can also replenish manually through the FasTrak website, by phone, or by mail. If your account runs out of money and you pass through a toll plaza, you will receive a Pay-by-Plate invoice at the higher rate, and your account will not be charged.

Pay-by-Plate tolling and invoice disputes

If you do not have a FasTrak tag, the toll authority's cameras photograph your license plate as you pass through the toll plaza. The authority looks up your vehicle registration with the California Department of Motor Vehicles and mails you an invoice to the address on file. This invoice includes the toll amount, a processing fee, and instructions for payment.

Pay-by-Plate tolls cost significantly more than FasTrak tolls — typically $1 to $2 more per crossing depending on the bridge and time of day. If you cross the Bay Bridge regularly without FasTrak, the extra cost can reach hundreds of dollars per year.

If you receive an invoice you believe is incorrect — for example, if you crossed with a valid FasTrak tag but were still photographed, or if you believe you were charged the wrong rate — you can dispute it. The toll authority's website has a dispute form, or you can call their customer service line. You will need to provide details about the crossing, such as the date, time, and bridge. Disputes must usually be filed within a certain timeframe from the invoice date; check the invoice itself for the important date.

Reduced tolls for carpools, motorcycles, and low-emission vehicles

Several bridges offer reduced or free tolls for vehicles that meet specific criteria. On the Bay Bridge, carpools with three or more occupants (including the driver) pay a reduced toll during peak hours on weekdays. Motorcycles pay a reduced toll on most bridges. Some bridges offer free or reduced tolls for certain low-emission or zero-emission vehicles, though these programs change and vary by bridge.

To use a carpool discount, you typically need a valid FasTrak tag and must display a carpool decal or sticker on your vehicle. The toll authority issues these decals when you open your account or request one. If you are driving a low-emission vehicle, you may need to register it with the toll authority or provide proof of its status.

may be able to access for these discounts depends on the specific bridge and the current program rules. Before you rely on a discount, check the toll authority's website for the bridge you plan to cross, or call customer service to confirm your vehicle qualifies.

What happens if you do not pay a toll

If you pass through a toll plaza without paying — either because you have no FasTrak tag and ignore the Pay-by-Plate invoice, or because your FasTrak account was empty and you did not respond to the invoice — the toll authority will pursue collection. This typically begins with additional notices and late fees added to your original toll amount.

If the debt remains unpaid, the toll authority can refer the account to a collection agency, report it to credit bureaus, or pursue other collection methods. In some cases, the toll authority has sought to suspend vehicle registrations or place liens on property, though the specifics depend on the amount owed and the authority's current enforcement practices.

If you have received notices and cannot pay the full amount, contact the toll authority's customer service to discuss options. Some authorities offer payment plans or hardship programs, though these are not may provide and depend on your circumstances.

How to open or manage a FasTrak account

You can open a FasTrak account online through the toll authority's website, by phone, or by mail. Online is usually the fastest option. You will need your vehicle's license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), a valid payment method, and a mailing address. The toll authority will mail your FasTrak tag within one to two weeks.

Once your account is open, you can manage it through the website or mobile app. You can check your balance, view transaction history, update your payment method, adjust your automatic replenishment settings, and add or remove vehicles from your account. If your tag is damaged or lost, you can request a replacement through your account.

If you move or change your vehicle, update your account information as soon as possible. If you sell your vehicle, remove it from your FasTrak account to avoid receiving invoices for tolls charged to the new owner's use of the vehicle.

Tolls by bridge and time of day

Each bridge has its own toll schedule, and some tolls vary by time of day or day of week. The Bay Bridge, for example, uses congestion pricing on weekdays, with higher tolls during peak commute hours and lower tolls during off-peak times. The Golden Gate Bridge charges the same toll in both directions but only collects tolls southbound (toward San Francisco). Other bridges may have flat rates or simpler schedules.

Tolls also depend on your vehicle type. A standard passenger vehicle pays one rate, while motorcycles, trucks, and vehicles with more axles pay different rates. Some bridges offer discounts for carpools or low-emission vehicles, as described above.

To find the exact toll for your trip, use the toll authority's website or call customer service. Most bridges have a toll calculator tool where you enter your vehicle type and crossing time, and the system shows you the current toll amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use FasTrak, or can I always pay by license plate?

You can pay by license plate (Pay-by-Plate) on all bridges, but it costs more. FasTrak is not legally required, but the toll authority encourages it through lower rates. If you cross tolled bridges regularly, FasTrak saves money over time.

What if I cross a bridge with an empty FasTrak account?

If your account balance is zero when you cross, you will not be charged through FasTrak. Instead, the toll authority will photograph your plate and send you a Pay-by-Plate invoice at the higher rate. Set up automatic replenishment to avoid this.

Can I transfer my FasTrak tag to a different vehicle?

Yes. Log into your account online or call customer service to remove the old vehicle and add the new one. The same tag can be used on multiple vehicles in your account, but only one vehicle at a time. Update your account before you drive the new vehicle through a toll plaza.

How long does it take to get a FasTrak tag after I open an account?

The toll authority typically mails tags within one to two weeks of account opening. If you need a tag faster, some customer service centers may issue temporary tags or expedited shipping options; call to ask what is available.

What if I think I was charged the wrong toll?

Contact the toll authority with the date, time, and bridge of the crossing. If you have a FasTrak tag, explain why you believe you should have been charged a different rate. If you received a Pay-by-Plate invoice, provide the invoice number. File disputes within the timeframe listed on your invoice.