Texas toll roads accept payment through TxTag, EZ TAG, and pay-by-mail, each with different costs and account requirements

Texas toll roads are operated by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and regional toll authorities. When you drive a toll road without a prepaid account, a camera reads your license plate and sends you an invoice. You can pay that invoice by mail, or you can set up an account in advance so tolls are deducted automatically. The three main payment systems are TxTag (statewide), EZ TAG (Houston area), and pay-by-mail (invoice after driving). Each has different fees, account setup steps, and rules about what happens if your account runs low or you miss a payment.

The choice between these systems depends on how often you drive toll roads and where you drive them. If you use toll roads regularly across Texas, TxTag saves money through lower per-toll rates and automatic deductions. If you drive only occasionally, pay-by-mail may be simpler even though it costs more per toll. If you live in the Houston area, EZ TAG works for Harris County toll roads, but you will still need TxTag for toll roads elsewhere in the state.

Key Takeaways

  • TxTag and EZ TAG are prepaid accounts that charge lower per-toll rates than pay-by-mail invoices, but require you to set up an account and maintain a balance.
  • Pay-by-mail means you receive an invoice after driving and pay it once; this costs more per toll but requires no account setup.
  • TxTag works on most Texas toll roads statewide, while EZ TAG is limited to Harris County toll roads in the Houston area.
  • If you do not pay a toll invoice or let your prepaid account run empty, the toll authority can place a hold on your vehicle registration and add late fees.
  • You can check your account balance, add funds, and view your toll history online or by phone for both TxTag and EZ TAG.

TxTag: Statewide prepaid account with automatic deductions

TxTag is a prepaid account system that works on toll roads across Texas, including roads operated by TxDOT and most regional toll authorities. You load money into your account, and each time you drive a toll road, the toll is deducted automatically. The per-toll rate for TxTag users is lower than the pay-by-mail rate for the same road.

To open a TxTag account, you visit the TxTag website (txtag.org), provide your vehicle information (license plate, vehicle type), a mailing address, and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account). You choose an opening balance, typically between $40 and $100. TxTag then mails you a transponder (a small device) that you mount on your windshield. The transponder communicates with toll readers as you pass through a toll plaza. Once your account balance drops below a set threshold (usually $10), TxTag automatically charges your payment method to refill it.

TxTag accounts are linked to your license plate, so the system recognizes you even if you forget the transponder or it malfunctions. However, you will be charged the higher pay-by-mail rate if you drive without a working transponder. You can check your balance, view your toll history, and update your payment method online at any time.

EZ TAG: Houston-area prepaid account with similar features

EZ TAG is a prepaid account system operated by the Harris County Toll Road Authority and works only on toll roads in the Houston area (Harris County). The account structure and payment process are similar to TxTag: you load money into your account, tolls are deducted automatically, and the per-toll rate is lower than pay-by-mail.

To open an EZ TAG account, you visit the EZ TAG website (eztag.org), provide your vehicle information, mailing address, and payment method, and choose an opening balance. EZ TAG also mails you a transponder to mount on your windshield. Like TxTag, EZ TAG recognizes your license plate if your transponder is missing or broken, but you will pay the higher pay-by-mail rate in that case. Your account automatically refills when the balance drops below a threshold you set.

If you drive toll roads in both Houston and other parts of Texas, you will need both an EZ TAG account (for Harris County roads) and a TxTag account (for roads outside Harris County). The two systems do not share accounts or balances.

Pay-by-mail: One-time payment after you drive

Pay-by-mail is not an account; it is a way to settle a toll after you have already driven the road. When you drive a toll road without a TxTag or EZ TAG transponder, a camera photographs your license plate. The toll authority looks up your address from the vehicle registration and mails you an invoice within 1 to 2 weeks.

The invoice shows the toll amount, the date and time you drove, and the toll road location. You pay by mail (sending a check), online (on the toll authority's website), or by phone. The per-toll rate for pay-by-mail is higher than the TxTag or EZ TAG rate for the same road—typically 50% to 100% more. For example, if a TxTag toll is $1.50, the pay-by-mail toll might be $2.50 or $3.00.

Pay-by-mail is useful if you drive a toll road only occasionally or if you are renting a car and do not want to set up an account. However, if you drive toll roads regularly, a prepaid account saves money over time.

Account maintenance: Balances, auto-pay, and what to do if your account runs low

Both TxTag and EZ TAG accounts use automatic replenishment: when your balance drops below a threshold you choose, the system charges your payment method to refill the account. You set this threshold when you open the account and can change it later online. Most users set the threshold at $10 to $25, meaning the account refills when it reaches that level.

If you turn off automatic replenishment or if your payment method fails (for example, your credit card expires), your account balance can drop to zero. When this happens, you will still be able to drive toll roads, but you will be charged the pay-by-mail rate instead of the account rate. After you drive, you will receive an invoice by mail. To avoid this, check your account balance online regularly and add funds manually if needed.

You can add funds to your TxTag or EZ TAG account at any time by logging into your online account, calling customer service, or visiting a payment location (some grocery stores and retail outlets accept TxTag payments). The minimum addition is usually $20 to $40.

Unpaid tolls: Late fees, registration holds, and collection

If you do not pay a toll invoice within the time stated on the notice (usually 30 days), the toll authority adds a late fee. The late fee varies by toll authority but is typically $25 to $50 per unpaid toll. If you continue to ignore the invoice, the toll authority can place a hold on your vehicle registration, preventing you from renewing it. Some toll authorities also report unpaid tolls to collection agencies.

If your prepaid account (TxTag or EZ TAG) runs empty and you drive without a working transponder, you will receive a pay-by-mail invoice. If you do not pay that invoice, the same late fees and registration holds explore. The toll authority does not automatically suspend your account or charge you additional penalties straightforward because your balance is zero; the penalties come only if you ignore the invoice.

If you believe an invoice is incorrect—for example, you were not driving that vehicle on that date—you can dispute it by contacting the toll authority directly. Most toll authorities have a dispute process that requires you to provide evidence (such as a receipt showing you were elsewhere, or proof that your vehicle was not in use).

Transponder replacement and account changes

TxTag and EZ TAG transponders are mailed to you when you open your account and are usually replaced at no charge if they malfunction or are lost. If your transponder is damaged, you can request a replacement online or by phone. The new transponder is mailed to your address on file.

If you move, change your vehicle, or want to close your account, you can make these changes online or by calling customer service. When you close an account, any remaining balance is refunded to your original payment method within 1 to 2 weeks. If you sell your vehicle or transfer it to another person, you should remove it from your TxTag or EZ TAG account and add the new vehicle to avoid confusion with toll charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use TxTag on toll roads outside Texas?

No, TxTag works only on toll roads in Texas. If you drive toll roads in other states, you will need to set up separate accounts or use pay-by-mail. Some states have reciprocal agreements that allow certain transponders to work across state lines, but TxTag is not part of these agreements.

What happens if I drive a toll road with an empty TxTag account?

You will still be able to drive. The toll authority will charge you the pay-by-mail rate (higher than the TxTag rate) and send you an invoice by mail. To avoid this, enable automatic replenishment or check your balance before driving toll roads regularly.

Can I transfer my TxTag account to someone else?

No, TxTag accounts are tied to the person who opened them. If you want to give your vehicle to someone else, close your account and have the new owner open their own. Any remaining balance will be refunded to you.

How long does it take to receive a TxTag transponder in the mail?

TxTag typically mails transponders within 5 to 7 business days of account opening. You can drive toll roads using your license plate recognition while you wait for the transponder to arrive, but you will pay the pay-by-mail rate until the transponder is mounted and activated.

What if I never received a pay-by-mail invoice?

If your address on file with the vehicle registration is incorrect or outdated, the invoice may not reach you. Check your address with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and update it if needed. You can also log into the toll authority's website and search for unpaid tolls by license plate to see if there are outstanding invoices.