With chargeable gone from any bridge* in the Bay Area, drivers need FasTrak to pay their tolls.
The FasTrak transponder signals when a car passes through a toll booth and the account is charged. If a transponder is not detected, the license plate image is checked to see if there is an associated FasTrak account. And if the license plate number is not linked to an account, the owner of the vehicle receives an invoice for the toll.
Can I make a payment immediately? and avoid getting an invoice?
Yes – you can make a one-off payment through BayAreaFasTrak.org or by calling (877) BAY-TOLL (229-8655). What you will do is create a short-term license plate account that can pay for bridge crossings in the last 48 hours or up to 30 days in advance. There is no additional charge for this option.
What happens if I drive a rental car?
The larger rental companies offer a fee-paying plan, which charges a fee on top of any tolls you incur. If you don’t have such a plan, you can make a one-time payment to FasTrak through a short-term license plate account (see above) for your rental car. Set an end date so you don’t receive billing for the car’s future drivers. What you don’t want to do is just ignore your tolls – the rental car companies charge hefty penalties.
Will I be penalized if I wait for an invoice?
The first invoice will tell you that payment of the toll is required within 30 days. After that deadline, a second notice will be sent, with a $25 penalty for Golden Gate Bridge crossings and a $5 penalty for the other bridges. The third notice, after 60 days, hits $50 for Golden Gate, $15 for the others. The invoice can be paid by post, on-line or by phone at (877) 229-8655.
Can I use someone else’s FasTrak transponder?
Yes. Best practice is to have the FasTrak holder add your car’s license plate to the account, so if there is an error on the transponder, your fee is still covered. License plates can be added or removed at no extra charge.
I received a text saying I owe a fee.
This is a common scam. Contact Bay Area FasTrak to see if it is legitimate.
*The San Francisco Bay Area’s eight toll bridges are the Golden Gate, San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, San Mateo-Hayward, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael, Carquinez, Benicia-Martinez and Antioch.