It's the law... According to Texas law, not paying a toll is a misdemeanor offense.
Tips to help avoid extra fees:
- Keep money in your account. If you do not have enough money in your account to pay your tolls, you will be charged at higher toll rates and additional fees.
- Ensure your account information is up to date. It's important to keep current your license plate, vehicle, and credit card information to prevent billing errors.
- Update your TxTag account when you get a new license plate. When a TxTag is not read properly by the toll equipment, we attempt to match the license plate on the vehicle to a TxTag account. If your new license plate is not linked to your TxTag account, you’ll receive an invoice in the mail with the tolls charged at the higher toll rates and additional fees.
- Update your vehicle registration information if you move. By law, invoices must be mailed to the vehicle owner at the address listed in the state's vehicle registration records, even if registration renewal notices go to a different address. If you have moved, update the mailing address on your TxTag account and download Form VTR-146 to update the address on your vehicle title. If your address information on file with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is not current, you may not receive invoices on time, which could result in late payment charges.
- Notify Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) if your vehicle is sold or stolen. You must deactivate your TxTag by logging into your account or contacting HCTRA Customer Service Center as soon as possible if your vehicle is sold or stolen. If you receive a toll invoice for a vehicle you no longer own, file a Vehicle Transfer Notification Form (VTR-346) with the Texas DMV and call HCTRA at 281-875-EASY (3279) after you receive confirmation of the title transfer.
Visit hctra.org for more information about fees.