Most toll agencies do not text you about payment, but some do—and the ones that do usually start with email or mail first

Whether you get a text about a toll depends on which toll system you used and whether you gave them your phone number. Most toll agencies—including state highway authorities and private toll operators—contact you by mail first, then email if they have it on file. Text messages are less common, but some systems, particularly newer digital toll collection programs and private toll roads, have begun using SMS as a faster way to reach drivers about unpaid tolls or account issues.

The key difference is whether the toll was collected electronically (through a transponder or license plate read) or manually (at a toll booth). Electronic tolls create a record tied to your vehicle; manual tolls often do not. If you paid with a credit card at a booth, the toll company has no way to contact you unless you registered that card with them. If a camera read your plate, they have your address from your vehicle registration and will mail you an invoice.

Key Takeaways

  • Most toll agencies mail you an invoice first, then follow up by email or phone if you do not pay within 30 to 60 days.
  • Text messages about tolls are less common than mail or email, but some systems use SMS to notify you of unpaid tolls or account low-balance warnings.
  • You will only receive toll notifications if the toll system has your contact information—either from your vehicle registration (for plate-read tolls) or from an account you created.
  • If you receive a text claiming to be from a toll agency, verify it by calling the toll agency directly using a number from their official website, not a number in the message.

How toll agencies get your contact information

When a toll is collected electronically, the toll system reads your license plate and looks up your address through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. That is how they mail you an invoice. If you have a transponder account (like E-ZPass, FasTrak, or a state-specific system), the toll agency has whatever contact details you provided when you registered—phone number, email, and mailing address.

If you paid cash at a toll booth, the toll agency has no record of who you are unless you voluntarily registered your vehicle or provided contact information. If you paid with a credit card at an automated booth, they may have your card information but not your phone number or email unless you created an account with them.

This matters because toll agencies can only contact you through channels where they have your information. If you never registered a phone number with them, they cannot text you. If you registered a number years ago and changed it, texts will go to an old number or fail to send.

Which toll systems use text messages

Text notifications are most common in newer or digitally advanced toll systems. E-ZPass, which operates across the Northeast and Midwest, has begun offering SMS alerts for low account balances and unpaid tolls in some states. FasTrak in California sends text alerts to registered users. The Florida Turnpike, Georgia's Peach Pass, and Texas toll authorities (like NTTA) also use text messages for account notifications.

Smaller or older toll systems—particularly those run by county or local authorities—are less likely to text. They typically rely on mail and phone calls. Private toll roads, especially newer ones, are more likely to use SMS because they often have more modern billing systems.

If you want to know whether a specific toll system texts, check their website or call their customer service line. You can also opt in to text alerts when you create or update your account with them.

What a legitimate toll text message looks like

A real toll agency text will come from a number associated with that agency or a short code (a 5- or 6-digit number). The message will be brief and direct: "Your E-ZPass account balance is low" or "You have an unpaid toll from [date]. Pay by [date] to avoid penalties." It will include a website URL or phone number to resolve the issue.

Legitimate toll texts do not ask you to click a link to enter payment information. They do not ask for your Social Security number, driver's license number, or full credit card details. They do not threaten immediate arrest or vehicle impoundment (though they may mention that unpaid tolls can lead to license suspension or registration holds in some states).

If you receive a text that seems suspicious—especially one with a shortened URL, a request for personal information, or a generic greeting—do not click the link. Instead, call the toll agency directly using the phone number on their official website or on your most recent toll invoice. Scammers sometimes impersonate toll agencies to steal payment information or personal data.

What happens if you ignore a toll text or invoice

Ignoring a toll text or invoice does not make the debt disappear. After the initial notice (usually 30 to 60 days), toll agencies send a second notice, often by certified mail. If you still do not pay, they may add late fees, administrative charges, or collection fees—sometimes doubling or tripling the original toll amount.

Unpaid tolls can also trigger administrative consequences. Many states allow toll agencies to place a hold on your vehicle registration, preventing you from renewing it. Some states suspend your driver's license if tolls remain unpaid for a long time. A few states report unpaid tolls to credit bureaus, which can damage your credit score.

If the debt is large enough or old enough, the toll agency may send it to a collection agency or file a lawsuit. At that point, you may owe court costs and attorney fees on top of the original toll and penalties.

How to set up or update your contact information with a toll agency

If you want to receive toll notifications by text, email, or phone, you need to create or update an account with the toll agency. Most toll systems have online portals where you can register your vehicle, add a payment method, and choose your notification preferences.

For E-ZPass, visit your state's E-ZPass website (each state has its own portal) and log in or create an account. For FasTrak, go to the FasTrak website and register. For state-specific systems like the Florida Turnpike or Georgia Peach Pass, visit their websites directly.

When you register, you will be asked for your vehicle information (license plate, vehicle type), your contact details (phone, email, mailing address), and a payment method. Once your account is set up, you can choose which types of notifications you want to receive and through which channels. Some systems let you opt in to text alerts specifically; others send texts automatically if you provide a phone number.

If you have received a toll invoice in the mail but do not have an account, you can usually pay the toll directly through the agency's website without creating an account. Look for a "Pay a Toll" or "Pay an Unpaid Toll" option, enter your license plate or invoice number, and follow the payment instructions.

Scams that impersonate toll agencies

Toll-related scams typically arrive as texts or emails claiming you owe money for tolls you do not remember using. The message includes a link to "verify your account" or "pay your toll." Clicking the link takes you to a fake website that looks like the real toll agency site but is actually designed to steal your login credentials, credit card information, or personal data.

Another common scam is a text claiming to be from a toll agency offering a "refund" or "credit" for overpayment. The scammer asks you to click a link or call a number to claim it. There is no refund—the goal is to get you to enter payment information or personal details.

To protect yourself: never click a link in an unsolicited text or email about tolls. If you think you owe a toll, go directly to the toll agency's official website (type the URL yourself, do not use a link from a message) or call the number on your most recent invoice. Legitimate toll agencies will never ask you to verify your account or payment information through a text message link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a toll agency text me if I do not have an account with them?

No. Toll agencies can only text you if you provided your phone number when you registered an account or created a transponder. If you paid cash or used a credit card at a booth without registering, they have no phone number on file. They will mail you an invoice to your address (from your vehicle registration) instead.

What should I do if I get a text from a number claiming to be a toll agency?

Do not click any links in the message. Call the toll agency directly using the phone number on their official website or on a previous invoice. Verify that the text came from them before taking any action. If it did not, report the message to your phone carrier and delete it.

Do I have to pay a toll if I did not receive a text or invoice?

Yes. The toll agency's failure to reach you does not erase the debt. If you used a toll road, you owe the toll regardless of whether you received notice. If you think you were charged in error, contact the toll agency to dispute it, but do not assume the charge is invalid just because you did not hear about it.

Can unpaid tolls affect my credit score?

Some toll agencies report unpaid tolls to credit bureaus, but not all do. It depends on the agency and how long the toll has been unpaid. If the debt goes to a collection agency, it will almost certainly appear on your credit report. Contact the toll agency to ask whether they report to credit bureaus and what timeline they use.

How do I pay an unpaid toll if I lost the invoice?

Go to the toll agency's website and look for a "Pay a Toll" or "Pay an Unpaid Toll" option. Enter your license plate number or invoice number if you have it. If you do not have the invoice number, you can usually search by license plate. You can also call the toll agency's customer service line and ask them to look up the toll by your plate number.