How to pay tolls in Texas

You can pay Texas tolls three ways: with a TxTag account (the state's electronic toll tag), by mail after receiving an invoice, or with a license plate-based system called Pay by Plate. TxTag is the fastest and cheapest option — you load money into an account, and tolls deduct automatically when you drive through. If you don't have TxTag, the toll authority photographs your license plate and sends you an invoice weeks later, and you pay by check or online. Pay by Plate is available on some toll roads and charges a higher per-toll fee than TxTag but doesn't require advance setup.

Which method you choose depends on how often you drive toll roads and whether you want to set up an account in advance. Regular drivers save money with TxTag. Occasional visitors or one-time users can pay by invoice or Pay by Plate without penalty. Understanding each option helps you avoid surprise charges and late fees.

Key Takeaways

  • TxTag is a prepaid account you load money into; tolls deduct automatically and cost less per crossing than other methods.
  • If you don't have TxTag, the toll authority will photograph your license plate and mail you an invoice to pay by check or online.
  • Pay by Plate charges a higher per-toll rate but works without a tag if you're a one-time user or visitor.
  • TxTag accounts work on most toll roads in Texas, including the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Houston, and Austin, but coverage varies by road.
  • Unpaid tolls accrue late fees and can eventually prevent vehicle registration renewal, so paying invoices on time matters.

Getting a TxTag account and loading money

To set up TxTag, visit the TxTag website or call 888-468-9824. You'll need a valid driver's license or ID, a vehicle registration, and a payment method (debit or credit card). The account itself is free; you pay only for tolls and a small monthly account fee if your balance drops below a certain threshold (currently $40 for most accounts). You can open an account online in about 10 minutes.

Once your account is open, you order a physical tag — a small transponder that mounts inside your windshield. TxTag mails it to you, usually within 5 to 7 business days. You can drive on toll roads before the tag arrives if you've registered your license plate with your account; tolls will still deduct from your balance, but you'll pay a higher rate until the tag is active. Once the tag arrives, mount it on the inside of your windshield (usually behind the rearview mirror), and set up it in your online account. From that point forward, tolls deduct automatically at the lower TxTag rate whenever you pass through a toll plaza.

Paying tolls without TxTag: the invoice process

If you drive through a toll plaza without a TxTag, a camera photographs your license plate. The toll authority matches the plate to your vehicle registration and mails you an invoice 2 to 4 weeks later. The invoice shows the toll amount, the date and location of the crossing, and payment instructions. You can pay by check, money order, or online through the toll authority's website using a debit or credit card.

Pay the invoice within 30 days to avoid late fees. If you don't pay, the toll authority adds a late fee (typically $25 to $50 per unpaid toll) and may send a second notice. Unpaid tolls can eventually prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration, so ignoring invoices creates a real problem. If you receive an invoice and dispute it — for example, you believe you paid or the toll amount is wrong — contact the toll authority listed on the invoice to file a dispute before the due date.

Pay by Plate: higher cost, no tag required

Pay by Plate is available on some Texas toll roads and is designed for occasional users or visitors. You don't need a TxTag or any advance setup. When you drive through a toll plaza, the camera reads your license plate, and the toll authority mails you an invoice. The per-toll charge is higher than TxTag — typically 25% to 50% more — but you pay only for the tolls you use.

Pay by Plate works the same way as the invoice process described above: you receive an invoice in the mail and pay by check or online. The main advantage is convenience if you're visiting Texas and don't want to open an account. The main disadvantage is the higher cost per toll. If you drive toll roads regularly, TxTag saves money over time because the per-toll rate is lower and you avoid the Pay by Plate surcharge.

Which toll roads accept TxTag and where to find them

TxTag works on most toll roads in Texas, including the Dallas-Fort Worth toll system (the Dallas North Tollway, President George Bush Turnpike, and others), the Houston toll system (the Hardy Toll Road, Westpark Tollway, and others), and Austin toll roads (Loop 1, Loop 360, and others). However, not every toll road in Texas accepts TxTag. Some smaller or older toll roads use different systems or are operated by regional authorities that don't participate in the TxTag network.

Before you drive, check which toll roads are in your route and whether they accept TxTag. The TxTag website has a map showing which roads accept the tag. If a road doesn't accept TxTag, you'll receive an invoice by mail and can pay through that road's system. When you set up your TxTag account, you can link it to multiple vehicles, so one account works for a car, truck, or motorcycle. This makes it straightforward to manage tolls across your household's vehicles without opening separate accounts.

What happens if you don't pay a toll

If you receive an invoice and don't pay within 30 days, late fees accumulate. After 60 days, the toll authority may report the debt to a collection agency. After several months of non-payment, the debt can appear on your credit report and prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles can hold your registration renewal until you settle unpaid tolls, which means you cannot legally drive the vehicle.

If you're facing unpaid tolls, contact the toll authority as soon as possible. Many toll authorities offer payment plans for large debts or can waive late fees if you pay the original toll amount promptly. Ignoring the problem only makes it worse, so dealing with it early is always the better choice. Some toll authorities also have hardship programs if you're experiencing financial difficulty, so it's worth asking when you call.

Switching between vehicles or updating your account

If you buy a new vehicle or need to remove a vehicle from your TxTag account, log into your account online or call TxTag customer service at 888-468-9824. You can add a new vehicle registration to your account and order a new tag for it. The old tag can be deactivated so tolls don't deduct if someone else drives that vehicle. If you're selling a vehicle, remove it from your account before the sale so the new owner isn't charged tolls on your account.

You can also update your payment method, address, or phone number in your account at any time. If your TxTag balance runs low, you can set up automatic reloads so money is added to your account when the balance drops below a threshold you choose. This prevents your account from going negative and keeps tolls deducting smoothly. Automatic reload is especially useful if you drive toll roads frequently and don't want to monitor your balance manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to get a TxTag, or can I just pay tolls by mail?

You can pay by mail if you receive an invoice, but you'll pay more per toll than TxTag users. If you drive toll roads regularly, TxTag saves money over time. If you're a one-time visitor, paying by mail or using Pay by Plate is fine.

What if I lose my TxTag or it stops working?

Contact TxTag customer service at 888-468-9824 or through your online account. They can deactivate the old tag and mail you a replacement. In the meantime, tolls will still deduct from your account if your license plate is registered, but at the higher non-tag rate. Once the new tag arrives and is activated, you'll pay the lower TxTag rate again.

Can I use my TxTag in other states?

TxTag works only on Texas toll roads. If you drive toll roads in other states, you'll need to pay by invoice or use that state's toll system. Some states have reciprocal agreements, but TxTag itself is Texas-only.

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

The physical tag usually arrives within 5 to 7 business days. You can drive on toll roads using your license plate before the tag arrives if your plate is registered with your account, but you'll pay the higher non-tag rate until the tag is activated.

What if I think I was charged the wrong toll amount?

Contact the toll authority listed on your invoice or in your TxTag account statement. Provide the date, time, and location of the crossing. They can review the charge and correct it if there was an error. File a dispute within 30 days of receiving the invoice to avoid late fees while the dispute is being reviewed.