How to Pay Maryland Tolls and Understand Your Options

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 tolls three ways: with cash at a toll booth, with a Maryland E-ZPass transponder that charges automatically, or by mail if your license plate is photographed. Most drivers use E-ZPass because it costs less per toll and you never stop at a booth. If you don't have E-ZPass and drive through a toll plaza, the state photographs your plate and sends you an invoice by mail.

The toll amount depends on the road, the time of day, and your vehicle type. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge, for example, costs more than the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. Some tolls are higher during rush hours. If you pay by mail after being photographed, you'll pay the toll amount plus a processing fee — currently $1.50 per transaction in Maryland.

Key Takeaways

• E-ZPass is a transponder you mount on your windshield that charges your account automatically and costs less per toll than paying by mail.
• If you don't have E-ZPass, the toll plaza camera photographs your license plate and Maryland mails you an invoice with the toll plus a $1.50 processing fee.
• You can set up E-ZPass online, by phone, or in person at a service center, and it works on tolls across Maryland and other states in the region.
• If you receive a toll invoice by mail and don't pay it, Maryland can suspend your vehicle registration and report the debt to a collection agency.

Getting an E-ZPass transponder

To open an E-ZPass account, go to mdta.maryland.gov (Maryland Transportation Authority) or call 1-888-321-6714. You'll need a valid driver's license or ID, a vehicle registration, and a payment method — credit card, debit card, or bank account. The transponder itself is free, but you must prepay a minimum balance to activate it. The minimum varies but is typically $25 to $50, depending on the account type you choose.

You can also apply by mail or visit an E-ZPass service center in person. The Maryland Transportation Authority operates service centers at several locations, including the toll plazas themselves. Once your account is approved, the transponder arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You mount it on your windshield, and tolls are deducted from your prepaid balance automatically.

E-ZPass works on tolls throughout Maryland and also on toll roads in Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and other northeastern states. If you travel outside Maryland regularly, this single transponder covers most regional tolls.

Paying tolls by mail after receiving an invoice

If you drive through a toll plaza without E-ZPass, a camera reads your plate. Maryland mails you an invoice within 2 to 4 weeks. The invoice shows the toll amount, the $1.50 processing fee, the date and time you passed through, and the toll plaza location. You can pay by check, money order, credit card, or debit card.

Pay the invoice within 30 days of the date on the notice. If you don't pay within 30 days, Maryland assesses a late fee — currently $25 for the first violation. If you continue not to pay, additional penalties accumulate, and the state can suspend your vehicle registration. After 90 days of non-payment, the debt may be referred to a collection agency.

To pay an invoice by mail, send a check or money order to the address printed on the notice. To pay online or by phone, visit mdta.maryland.gov or call 1-888-321-6714. Have your invoice number ready.

Disputing a toll charge or invoice

If you believe you were charged incorrectly — for example, if you had E-ZPass but were still photographed and invoiced — you can dispute the charge. Contact the Maryland Transportation Authority with your invoice number, the date and time of the toll, and an explanation of why you believe the charge is wrong.

Common disputes include: you had a valid E-ZPass that malfunctioned, you were in a different vehicle, or you were not the driver. The MDTA will investigate and may dismiss the charge if they find an error. Disputes must be filed within a reasonable time after you receive the invoice — typically 30 to 60 days, though you should contact them as soon as you notice the problem.

What happens if you don't pay a toll invoice

Unpaid toll invoices carry real consequences. After 30 days, a $25 late fee is added. After 90 days, the debt goes to a collection agency, and your credit report may be affected. The Maryland Transportation Authority can also suspend your vehicle registration, which means you cannot legally drive the vehicle until the toll and all fees are paid.

If your registration is suspended for unpaid tolls, you must pay the full amount owed — the original toll, the processing fee, the late fee, and any collection agency fees — before the state will reinstate it. You can pay online, by phone, or by mail to restore your registration.

E-ZPass account management and balance

Once you have E-ZPass, you can check your balance and transaction history anytime on mdta.maryland.gov or by calling 1-888-321-6714. You can also set up automatic replenishment, which adds money to your account when the balance drops below a level you choose. This prevents your account from running empty and being charged a processing fee for a mailed invoice.

If your transponder is lost, stolen, or damaged, contact the MDTA to report it and request a replacement. There is usually a small replacement fee. If you move or change your payment method, update your account information online or by phone so your invoices and statements reach you.

Tolls for commercial vehicles and special circumstances

Commercial vehicles — trucks and buses — are charged different toll rates than passenger cars. If you operate a commercial vehicle, you can set up a commercial E-ZPass account, which may offer volume discounts or different billing options. Contact the MDTA for commercial account details.

If you have a disability and may have access to for a toll discount, some states offer reduced rates. Maryland's rules for disability discounts vary by toll facility. Call 1-888-321-6714 to ask whether you may have access to and how to register for a discount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a toll with cash at the booth?

Yes, most toll plazas still accept cash at certain lanes, though the number of cash lanes has decreased. E-ZPass lanes are faster and cheaper. If you use a cash lane, have exact change or bills ready, as some booths may not make change.

What if I lose my E-ZPass transponder?

Contact the Maryland Transportation Authority immediately at 1-888-321-6714 or online at mdta.maryland.gov. Report it lost or stolen, and request a replacement. You'll pay a small replacement fee, and a new transponder will be mailed to you. Until it arrives, tolls will be charged to your license plate.

Does E-ZPass work in other states?

Yes. A Maryland E-ZPass transponder works on toll roads in Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and several other northeastern states. Your account balance is shared across all these states, so you don't need separate transponders.

How long does it take to get an E-ZPass after I apply?

After you submit your application and prepay the minimum balance, the transponder is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. Your account is active immediately, but you won't have the physical transponder to mount until it arrives. Once mounted, tolls are charged automatically.

What if I think I was charged for a toll I didn't pass through?

Contact the Maryland Transportation Authority with your invoice number and the date and time of the charge. Explain why you believe the charge is wrong — for example, you were not driving that day or you were in a different vehicle. The MDTA will investigate and may dismiss the charge if they find an error.