A one-time FasTrak payment lets you pay a toll without setting up a prepaid account

If you drove through a FasTrak toll plaza in California and don't have a FasTrak account, you can pay the toll you owe as a single transaction without creating an account. This is called a one-time payment. You'll need the vehicle license plate number, the toll amount (which you can look up), and a way to pay online or by phone.

One-time payments are processed by the FasTrak Customer Service Center, which handles all the major toll agencies in California — the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Area bridges, Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Diego. The payment goes directly to the toll agency that charged you, and you won't receive a FasTrak transponder or account statement.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay a single toll without opening a FasTrak account by calling 1-888-FASTER-1 or visiting the FasTrak website and selecting "Pay a Toll".
  • Have your vehicle license plate number and the toll amount ready; if you don't know the amount, the website can show you what you owe based on the date and location you crossed.
  • Payment methods include credit card, debit card, or electronic check, and the transaction is processed immediately.
  • If you don't pay within a set timeframe (usually 21 days after crossing), the toll agency may send you a notice and add penalties or late fees.

How to find out what you owe

Before you pay, you need to know the toll amount. The FasTrak website has a toll calculator where you enter the toll plaza you crossed, your vehicle type, and the date. The calculator shows the base toll for that crossing. If you crossed more than once, you'll need to pay for each crossing separately.

If you received a notice in the mail from a toll agency, the amount owed is printed on that notice. The notice also includes a reference number you can use when you pay. If you're unsure which toll plaza you crossed or when, check your credit card or bank statement for the date of the charge, then work backward from there.

Paying online through the FasTrak website

Go to the FasTrak website and look for the "Pay a Toll" or "One-Time Payment" option. You'll enter your vehicle license plate number, select the toll agency and plaza you crossed, and enter the date. The system will calculate the toll amount and show it to you before you confirm.

You can pay with a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card, or with a debit card. You can also pay by electronic check if you have a checking account. After you submit payment, you'll receive a confirmation number. Save this number in case you need to contact FasTrak later to verify the payment went through.

Paying by phone

Call the FasTrak Customer Service Center at 1-888-FASTER-1 (1-888-327-8371). A representative will ask for your vehicle license plate number, the toll plaza you crossed, and the date. They'll tell you the amount owed and process your payment over the phone using a credit card, debit card, or electronic check.

Phone payments are available Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific time. If you call outside these hours, you can leave a message and a representative will call you back, or you can use the online payment option instead.

What happens if you don't pay on time

Most toll agencies give you 21 days from the date you crossed to pay before they send you a notice. If you don't pay by that deadline, you'll receive a violation notice in the mail with the original toll amount plus a penalty fee. The penalty is typically $25 to $50, depending on which toll agency issued the notice.

If you ignore the violation notice and don't pay within another set period (usually 30 days), the toll agency can add additional penalties and may report the debt to a collection agency. In some cases, they can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. Paying as soon as you receive a notice stops additional fees from accumulating.

When to open a FasTrak account instead

If you cross FasTrak tolls regularly — more than a few times a month — opening a prepaid account is usually cheaper. FasTrak accounts get a discount on tolls (typically 20 to 50 percent off the one-time rate, depending on the toll agency), and you don't have to pay each crossing separately. You load money into the account and the toll is deducted automatically when you cross.

Opening an account takes about 10 minutes online or by phone. You'll need a valid driver's license or ID, a vehicle registration, and a payment method. Once your account is active, FasTrak will mail you a transponder to mount on your windshield. The transponder is free, and you can use it at any FasTrak toll plaza in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a toll I crossed weeks ago?

Yes. You can pay a toll at any time after you cross, but if you wait more than 21 days, you'll receive a violation notice with added penalty fees. Paying immediately after you cross avoids the penalty.

What if I don't know which toll plaza I crossed?

Check your credit card or bank statement for the charge date and amount. Then call FasTrak at 1-888-FASTER-1 and give the representative the date and approximate location. They can look up which toll plaza charged you and tell you the amount owed.

Do I need a FasTrak account to make a one-time payment?

No. One-time payments are specifically for people without an account. You provide your license plate number and pay the toll without creating an account or receiving a transponder.

Can I pay someone else's toll?

Yes. You can pay using any vehicle license plate number and any payment method. You don't need to be the registered owner of the vehicle to make a one-time payment.

Is there a fee for making a one-time payment?

No. The only charge is the toll itself. There is no processing fee or service charge added to one-time payments made online or by phone.