FAQs

FasTrak is the name of the electronic toll collection system in California that allows customers to pay tolls with a transponder. Transportation agencies throughout the state offer FasTrak accounts for drivers. Drivers only need one FasTrak account to use and pay tolls on every tolled facility in California. We recommend drivers sign up for an account with the agency that operates the facility they use the most because each tolling agency has its own rules and requirements.

To view the agencies that operate tolled facilities in California, click here.

The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) are the owners of the FasTrak trademark and related marks.

California tolling agencies are advising drivers to disregard scam phishing texts being sent to their phones that detail a specific outstanding toll amount. If you receive a text and are unsure if it is legitimate, please contact the tolling agency you have a FasTrak account with.

If you receive a phishing text, please file a complaint at www.ic3.gov. This is a site dedicated to sharing information on internet crimes across law enforcement agencies.

Drivers only need one FasTrak account to use and pay tolls on every tolled facility in California. We recommend drivers sign up for an account with the agency that operates the facility they use the most.

Each vehicle traveling on a tolled bridge, express lane or road is required to have a properly mounted transponder. However, because some transponders are designed to be moved between vehicles, it is possible to use one transponder among many vehicles if desired. A sticker transponder cannot be moved once adhered, as it will break. FasTrak Flex® switchable transponders or standard transponders can be moved between vehicles using adhesive mounting strips.

You can use your FasTrak transponder to pay tolls on every tolled bridge, express lane and road in California. Refer to our interactive map for more information about where FasTrak is accepted.

Your FasTrak® account works on all tolled facilities throughout California. However, we recommend drivers sign up for an account with the agency that operates the facility they use the most.

Some facilities allow drivers to pay a toll online without a FasTrak account. Please check with the facility before driving for their operational rules. To view the agencies that operate tolled facilities in California, click here.

Pricing for each facility varies. For some facilities, drivers may see electronic overhead signs that display the current toll for successive destinations. Other facilities may post their toll schedules online. For more information, check with the agency that operates the toll facility you plan to use.

Not all tolled facilities have arrangements with third-party mobile payment processors. Please refer to your agency’s website for guidelines. To view the agencies that operate tolled facilities in California, click here.

Rental vehicles may be added to FasTrak accounts with any agency for the duration of your rental contract. Drivers can temporarily add a vehicle to their FasTrak account by adding the license plate to the account. It is important to remember to provide an end date for the rental period to avoid incurring additional tolls.

If you have a hardcase switchable transponder: Before driving on a tolled bridge, express lane or road, add the vehicle’s license plate number to your account temporarily and transfer the hardcase transponder to the rental/loaner vehicle.

If you have a sticker transponder: Sticker transponders cannot be moved from vehicle to vehicle. Before driving on a tolled bridge, express lane or road, add the vehicle’s license plate number to your account temporarily. License plate recognition will collect the toll(s) via your account.

FasTrak Accountholders

If you are a FasTrak accountholder with any toll agency in California, you can add the rental vehicle to your account for the duration of your rental period.

To add a rental vehicle on your FasTrak account, log into your account and add the vehicle’s license plate. Before using a tolled facility make sure to set the effective START and END dates to reflect the period you will be using the rental vehicle. Your account will be charged each time your rental vehicle crosses any tolled bridge, express lanes or road in California during this period.

  • If you have a hardcase switchable transponder: Before driving on a tolled bridge, express lane or road, add the rental vehicle’s license plate number to your account temporarily and transfer the hardcase transponder to the rental vehicle.
  • If you have a sticker transponder: Sticker transponders cannot be moved from vehicle to vehicle. Sticker transponders cannot be moved from vehicle to vehicle. Please use the transponder provided by the rental agency or purchase a FasTrak Flex® switchable transponder from the agency you are an accountholder with. Some facilities may offer license plate tolling for FasTrak accountholders. Please check with the tolled facility for more information.

Non-Account holders

Many rental car companies offer ways to pay tolls conveniently through the rental agreement. Before driving a rental car on a tolled bridge, express lane or road, ask the rental car company how they process tolls and fees. In addition, some tolling agencies offer additional ways for non-accountholders to pay tolls for a rental vehicle, like short-term license plate tolling accounts. 

Learn more about rental vehicles by clicking here

Generally, if a vehicle enters a tolled bridge, express lanes or road without a valid FasTrak account or transponder the registered owner of the vehicle will most likely receive a notice of toll evasion violation in the mail. Some facilities also offer non-FasTrak customers the option to make a one-time payment online immediately after the trip has occurred, which preempts the violation process. Each facility has different operational rules for using their facilities. Please refer to your agency’s website for specific guidelines. To view the agencies that operate tolled facilities in California, click here.

Any trips incurred in your rental vehicle before you registered will be charged directly to you by the rental car company. You can still register the vehicle to your account for future trips. For specific information on how tolls are charged to your rental vehicle, please contact your rental car company.

Each facility has different rules and regulations regarding discounts. For details about each facility and the discounts they offer, click here.

FasTrak Flex is the brand for hardcase switchable transponders. They are mounted to the inside of the vehicle’s windshield using mounting strips. The transponder has a has a three-position switch which is used at some toll facilities to receive carpool discounts. The driver sets the switch position to display the number of people in the vehicle. This information is relayed to roadside equipment. It can be used to pay tolls when driving alone and, additionally, you can receive toll discounts when you are travelling as a qualified carpool. Please refer to the specific toll facility for carpool and transponder requirements.

Each issuing agency may have different rules, payment channels and payment methods. To resolve a violation, please follow the instructions on your notice of toll evasion. For further information on your violation, such as payment methods and disputes, please visit the website of the issuing agency.

There are several reasons that could explain why you received a violation, including:

  • The license plate of the vehicle may not be listed on your account
  • Your FasTrak account balance may be severely negative
  • Your FasTrak transponder may not be working or have been mounted improperly

Please log in to your account to make sure your account is up to date. Then, contact the agency that holds your account to resolve your violation.

The California Toll Operators Committee (CTOC) is a collaborative organization composed of California’s toll facility operators/owners. CTOC is the primary resource for interoperability and coordination among tolling facilities, and education and advocacy regarding tolling in California. CTOC members communicate regularly on issues of interoperability; technology; operating policies’ customer service; the legislative, administrative and regulatory framework for tolling; and other issues regarding tolling in California. For more information about the agencies, click here.

To set up a payment plan, please contact the agency that issued the violation. To view the agencies that operate tolled facilities in California, please visit FasTrak.org/tollinginCA.