The main ways to pay tolls in New York

You can pay New York tolls three ways: with cash at a toll booth, through an electronic tag system called E-ZPass, or by mail after the toll authority photographs your license plate. Most drivers use E-ZPass because it's faster and cheaper — tolls cost less when you use the tag than when you pay cash. If you don't have E-ZPass and drive through a toll plaza without paying, the toll authority will send you an invoice based on your plate number.

The toll roads and bridges in New York are operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which runs most major crossings, and by Thruway Authority, which operates the New York State Thruway. Each system accepts E-ZPass, but the tags work across both networks, so you only need one account.

Cash lanes still exist at some toll plazas, but they are closing. The MTA has been converting plazas to all-electronic collection, meaning you must have E-ZPass or be willing to pay by mail. Check which plazas near you still accept cash before you drive, because arriving at a cash-only lane with no payment method creates a violation.

Key Takeaways

  • E-ZPass is an electronic tag that you mount on your windshield; tolls are deducted from a prepaid account and cost less than cash rates.
  • If you don't have E-ZPass, you can pay cash at remaining toll booths, or the toll authority will photograph your plate and mail you an invoice.
  • You can open an E-ZPass account online or by mail in about 10 minutes, and the tag arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
  • Most major New York toll plazas are now all-electronic, so cash payment is becoming unavailable; check the MTA website before you drive.
  • If you receive a toll invoice by mail and don't pay within 30 days, late fees and penalties begin to accumulate.

Getting an E-ZPass account and tag

Visit the E-ZPass website (e-zpassny.com) and click "Open an Account" to start online. You will need your vehicle's license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and a valid payment method — a credit card, debit card, or bank account. The account opens when ready, and you set a minimum balance that the system maintains automatically. Most drivers choose $25 or $50 as their minimum.

The physical tag ships to your address within 7 to 10 business days. When it arrives, peel off the backing and stick it to the inside of your windshield, centered and below the rearview mirror. The tag is read by overhead sensors as you pass through the toll plaza, so placement matters — if it's too far to the side or too low, the reader may miss it and you'll be invoiced by mail instead.

If you prefer not to open an account online, you can mail in an process. read the form from e-zpassny.com, print it, and mail it with a check or money order to the address on the form. This route takes longer — typically 2 to 3 weeks total — because the mail process must be processed by hand.

Paying tolls with E-ZPass

Once your tag is mounted and your account is funded, you straightforward drive through the toll plaza in any E-ZPass lane. The overhead reader scans your tag, and the toll amount is deducted from your account balance. You will receive an email receipt for each transaction, and you can log into your account anytime to see your balance and transaction history.

E-ZPass rates are lower than cash rates. For example, on the George Washington Bridge, an E-ZPass toll for a car is currently $17.00, while the cash toll is $17.00 during off-peak hours and higher during peak hours. Exact rates vary by bridge and by time of day, and the MTA adjusts rates periodically. Check the MTA website for current tolls on the specific crossing you use.

If your account balance drops below your minimum, the system automatically charges your payment method to bring it back up. You can also manually add money to your account at any time through the website or by phone at 1-800-333-8655.

Paying tolls with cash

Cash lanes remain at some toll plazas, but availability is shrinking. The MTA has converted most major crossings to all-electronic collection. Before you drive, check the MTA website or call 511 to confirm whether the plaza you're heading to still accepts cash.

If a cash lane is open, drive into it and stop at the booth. Hand your cash to the toll collector. They will give you a receipt. Cash tolls cost more than E-ZPass tolls — typically $2 to $3 more per crossing — so if you cross the same toll regularly, E-ZPass saves money quickly.

Some plazas have hybrid lanes where you can pay cash to an attendant or use E-ZPass. If you're unsure which lane to use, follow the signs or ask the attendant directing traffic.

What happens if you don't pay at the toll plaza

If you drive through a toll plaza without paying and without E-ZPass, the overhead camera photographs your license plate. The toll authority matches the plate to your vehicle registration and mails you an invoice within 30 days. The invoice includes the toll amount plus a $0 to $5 administrative fee, depending on the crossing.

You have 30 days from the invoice date to pay. If you don't pay within that window, late fees begin. A second notice will be sent, and if you ignore that, the toll authority can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal or refer the debt to a collection agency. Unpaid tolls can also prevent you from renewing your registration with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles.

If you receive an invoice and believe it's wrong — for example, you think you paid with E-ZPass but were still invoiced — contact the toll authority listed on the invoice. They can review the transaction and correct it if there was an error.

E-ZPass for rental cars and out-of-state vehicles

If you're renting a car in New York, ask the rental company whether the vehicle has an E-ZPass tag already installed. Many rental agencies provide tagged vehicles, and tolls are charged to your rental agreement. If the car doesn't have a tag, you can purchase a temporary E-ZPass tag at the rental counter or open a temporary account online before you pick up the car.

If you live out of state and drive into New York regularly, you can open an E-ZPass account from your home state. E-ZPass works across multiple states — the system is used in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana. Your tag from any of these states works on all New York tolls. Visit your home state's E-ZPass website to open an account there.

If you're visiting New York from a state without E-ZPass, you will be invoiced by mail if you don't pay cash. The invoice will be mailed to the address on your vehicle registration. Pay it within 30 days to avoid late fees.

Tolls on specific New York crossings

The George Washington Bridge, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Triborough Bridge, and Whitestone Bridge are operated by the MTA and accept E-ZPass and cash (where available). The New York State Thruway, which runs north from the Bronx to the Canadian border, also accepts E-ZPass and has some cash lanes remaining.

Tolls vary by crossing and by vehicle type. A standard passenger car pays less than a truck or RV. Peak-hour tolls (typically 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays) are higher than off-peak tolls on some crossings. Check the MTA website or Thruway Authority website for exact rates before you drive.

Some crossings offer discounts for frequent users. For example, the Thruway offers a 5% discount on E-ZPass tolls if you maintain a minimum balance. Ask about discounts when you open your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use someone else's E-ZPass tag in my car?

No. E-ZPass tags are registered to a specific vehicle by license plate. If you use a tag registered to a different vehicle, the toll authority will invoice the registered vehicle's owner, not you. The owner may then pursue you for payment. Always use the tag registered to your vehicle.

What if my E-ZPass tag stops working?

If you're invoiced repeatedly even though your tag is mounted correctly, contact E-ZPass customer service at 1-800-333-8655. They can test your tag and send a replacement if it's defective. In the meantime, you can request a temporary account number to use while you wait for the new tag.

Do I have to pay tolls if I'm driving through New York but not stopping?

Yes. If you cross a toll bridge or use a toll road, you must pay the toll regardless of whether you stop in New York. The toll is charged based on the crossing, not on how long you stay in the state.

Can I get a refund if I'm invoiced by mail but I actually paid cash?

Yes, but you need proof. If you paid cash and still received an invoice, contact the toll authority on the invoice with your receipt or a photo of the receipt. They will review the transaction and cancel the invoice if the payment is confirmed. Keep all toll receipts for this reason.

What if I move and my address changes?

Update your address in your E-ZPass account when ready through the website or by calling 1-800-333-8655. If you're invoiced by mail and the toll authority can't reach you at your old address, late fees will accumulate. Updating your address prevents invoices from being lost in the mail.