How to Pay Maryland Tolls and Manage Your Account
How Maryland toll payment works
Maryland tolls are collected on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and the Fort McHenry Tunnel. You can pay them three ways: with cash at a toll booth, with a prepaid toll account called E-ZPass, or by mail after you receive an invoice. Most drivers use E-ZPass because it's faster, costs less per toll, and you don't have to stop at booths.
If you don't have E-ZPass and don't pay cash, the toll authority photographs your license plate and mails you an invoice weeks later. You then have a deadline to pay by check or online. Paying by mail costs more than E-ZPass because you pay a processing fee on top of the toll itself.
E-ZPass is a prepaid account linked to a small windshield tag. When you drive through a toll plaza, the tag communicates with a reader and the toll is deducted from your balance. You can use the same E-ZPass account in Maryland and 16 other states along the East Coast.
Key Takeaways
- E-ZPass is a prepaid account that costs less per toll than paying by mail and lets you skip toll booths entirely.
- You can set up E-ZPass online through the Maryland Transportation Authority website or by phone, and it takes about 7 to 10 business days to receive your tag.
- If you don't have E-ZPass, you can pay cash at toll booths or wait for a mailed invoice and pay online or by check.
- Unpaid toll invoices accrue late fees and can prevent vehicle registration renewal until the balance is cleared.
- E-ZPass discounts vary by facility but typically save you 20 to 30 percent compared to cash or invoice payment.
Setting up an E-ZPass account in Maryland
Go to mdta.maryland.gov (the Maryland Transportation Authority website) and select "Open an Account" under the E-ZPass section. You will need a valid email address, a phone number, and a credit or debit card to fund the account. You can also call the E-ZPass customer service line at 1-888-321-6511 to set up an account by phone.
When you create the account, you choose how much money to load into it upfront. Most people start with $25 to $50. You will then receive a windshield tag in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. Do not use the account until the tag arrives and you have mounted it on your windshield — the toll readers need the physical tag to recognize your vehicle.
Once your tag is active, you can add money to your account anytime through the website or the phone line. Many drivers set up automatic replenishment, which adds a set amount (usually $25 or $50) whenever the balance drops below a threshold you choose. This prevents your account from running empty while you're driving.
E-ZPass discount rates and how they work
E-ZPass holders pay less per toll than drivers who pay cash or by invoice. The discount varies by facility. On the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, E-ZPass costs roughly 20 to 30 percent less than the cash rate. On the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Fort McHenry Tunnel, the savings are similar but the exact amounts change periodically.
The discount is automatic — you don't have to do anything to receive it. Every time your tag is read, the lower E-ZPass rate is deducted from your account. If you pay by mail after receiving an invoice, you pay the full cash rate plus a processing fee, which makes invoice payment the most expensive option.
E-ZPass also works in other states. If you travel to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, or other participating states, your Maryland E-ZPass tag will work at their toll plazas and you'll receive the same discount rates those states offer E-ZPass holders.
What happens if you don't pay a toll invoice
If you drive through a toll plaza without E-ZPass and without paying cash, the toll authority photographs your license plate and mails you an invoice to the address on file with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. The invoice includes the toll amount, a processing fee, and a payment deadline — usually 30 days from the date the invoice was mailed.
If you don't pay by the deadline, late fees are added to your balance. The amount varies but typically starts at $25 to $50 per unpaid toll. If you continue not to pay, the debt can grow quickly and the toll authority can report it to a collection agency.
Unpaid toll debt also blocks vehicle registration renewal. When you try to renew your registration with the Motor Vehicle Administration, the system will flag your account if you owe tolls. You cannot renew until the balance is paid in full. This means you cannot legally drive the vehicle on public roads.
Paying an outstanding toll invoice
If you received a toll invoice in the mail, you can pay it online through the Maryland Transportation Authority website, by phone at 1-888-321-6511, or by mailing a check to the address printed on the invoice. Online and phone payments are processed immediately, while mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to clear.
When you pay online, you will need the invoice number (printed on the bill) and your credit or debit card. The website will confirm your payment immediately and send you a receipt by email. If you pay by phone, a customer service representative will take your information and process the payment while you wait.
Once your balance is paid, the toll authority updates the Motor Vehicle Administration's records within one to three business days. You can then renew your vehicle registration without delay. If you plan to drive through Maryland tolls again, consider opening an E-ZPass account at the same time to avoid future invoices.
Disputing a toll charge or invoice
If you believe a toll charge is incorrect — for example, if you were charged twice for the same crossing or if the toll was applied to the wrong vehicle — you can dispute it through the Maryland Transportation Authority. Call 1-888-321-6511 and explain the issue to a customer service representative. Have your invoice number and the date of the toll crossing ready.
The toll authority will investigate your dispute, which typically takes 30 to 60 days. If they find that the charge was an error, they will remove it from your account or issue a refund. If they determine the charge was correct, they will explain why and you will owe the full amount.
Disputes do not stop late fees from accruing while the investigation is underway. If you want to avoid additional charges, you can pay the disputed amount while the investigation proceeds. If the dispute is resolved in your favor, you will receive a refund for the amount you paid.
Managing your E-ZPass account online
Log into your E-ZPass account at mdta.maryland.gov anytime to check your balance, view recent toll charges, add money, or update your payment method. The website shows each toll crossing with the date, time, location, and amount charged. This is useful if you want to track your spending or verify that charges are correct.
You can also update your contact information, change your automatic replenishment settings, or add a second vehicle to your account through the website. If you have multiple vehicles, you can link them all to one account and manage them from a single login.
If your E-ZPass tag is lost, stolen, or damaged, contact customer service at 1-888-321-6511 to report it and request a replacement. A new tag will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. Until it arrives, your account balance is still active — you can pay cash at toll booths and then submit a receipt to be reimbursed from your E-ZPass balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my E-ZPass tag from another state in Maryland?
Yes. E-ZPass tags from any of the 17 participating states work at Maryland toll plazas. You will receive the Maryland E-ZPass discount rate automatically. If you live in another state and drive through Maryland tolls regularly, you do not need a separate Maryland account.
What if I lose my E-ZPass tag while driving?
Report it to customer service at 1-888-321-6511 as soon as possible. Your account balance remains active, so you can pay cash at toll booths and request reimbursement later. A replacement tag will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, mount it on your windshield and your account will resume working automatically.
Do I have to use E-ZPass, or can I always pay cash?
Cash payment is still available at all Maryland toll plazas. However, you will pay a higher rate per toll than E-ZPass holders. If you don't have cash and don't have E-ZPass, your license plate will be photographed and you will receive an invoice by mail with an even higher total cost due to processing fees.
How long does it take to get an E-ZPass tag after I open an account?
The tag arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days after you complete your online or phone registration. Do not use your account until the physical tag is mounted on your windshield. The toll readers need the tag to recognize your vehicle and apply the discount.
What happens if my E-ZPass balance runs out while I'm driving?
If your balance reaches zero, your tag will not be read at the next toll plaza and your license plate will be photographed. You will receive an invoice by mail. To avoid this, set up automatic replenishment through your account so money is added automatically when your balance drops below a level you choose.