What NTTA is and why you're paying it

The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) operates toll roads in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. If you drove on roads like the Dallas North Tollway, President George Bush Turnpike, or Lewisville Lake Toll Road, you either paid a toll at the time or received a bill later. NTTA bills arrive when you don't have a prepaid toll tag or when your account ran out of money.

Understanding how to pay your NTTA bill matters because unpaid tolls can affect your ability to renew your vehicle registration in Texas. The state won't renew your registration until you settle the debt with NTTA.

Key Takeaways

  • NTTA bills you by mail when you drive a toll road without a prepaid account, and you have 30 days to pay before late fees apply.
  • You can pay online through the NTTA website, by phone, by mail, or in person at an NTTA customer service center.
  • Setting up a TollTag account with automatic payments prevents future bills and gives you a discount on each toll.
  • If you don't pay, NTTA can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal and send your account to a collection agency.
  • Unpaid NTTA tolls will block your Texas vehicle registration renewal until the debt is settled.

How to pay your NTTA bill online

The fastest way to pay is through the NTTA website at ntta.org. Go to the "Pay a Toll Bill" section, enter your invoice number (found on your bill), and follow the prompts. You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or electronic check. Payment typically processes immediately, and you'll receive a confirmation number.

If you don't have your invoice number, you can look up your account using your license plate number and vehicle information. This route takes a few extra minutes but works if your bill is lost or you need to find an older invoice.

Paying by phone or mail

Call NTTA customer service at 1-888-NTTA-123 (1-888-6882-123) to pay over the phone with a debit or credit card. A representative will walk you through the process and provide a confirmation number. Phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.

To pay by mail, send a check or money order to the address on your bill. Include your invoice number and make the check payable to NTTA. Mail payments take longer to process — typically 7 to 10 business days — so pay this way only if you can't use online or phone payment.

Paying in person at an NTTA office

NTTA operates customer service centers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area where you can pay in person with cash, check, or card. Locations include offices in Dallas, Arlington, Plano, and Lewisville. Hours vary by location, so check ntta.org for the center nearest you and its hours before you go.

In-person payment is useful if you prefer to handle it face-to-face or if you have questions about your account that require a representative's help. Bring your invoice or license plate information so staff can pull up your account quickly.

Setting up automatic payments to avoid future bills

The best way to stop receiving NTTA bills is to open a TollTag account with automatic payments. A TollTag is a small electronic device you mount on your windshield that deducts tolls from your prepaid account as you drive. You load money into the account online, and NTTA charges your toll each time you use a toll road.

TollTag accounts come with a 25% discount on tolls compared to paying by invoice. You can set up automatic replenishment so your account refills when the balance drops below a certain amount. This eliminates the need to pay bills after the fact and saves you money on every toll you drive.

To get a TollTag, visit ntta.org, create an account, and order a tag. It arrives by mail in about a week. You can also pick one up at an NTTA customer service center if you need it sooner.

What happens if you don't pay

If you don't pay your NTTA bill within 30 days, late fees are added to your balance. After 60 days, NTTA reports the debt to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, which places a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. You won't be able to renew your registration until you settle the toll debt.

If the bill remains unpaid for several months, NTTA may send your account to a collection agency. This can damage your credit score and result in collection calls and letters. The debt can also affect your ability to get a loan or credit card in the future.

Disputing an NTTA charge

If you believe a toll charge is wrong — for example, you didn't drive that road or you were charged twice — contact NTTA customer service to dispute it. Have your invoice number and details about the trip ready. NTTA will investigate and either remove the charge or explain why it's correct.

Disputes can take 30 to 60 days to resolve, so don't wait until your bill is overdue to file one. If you dispute a charge, pay the rest of your bill on time to avoid late fees while the dispute is being reviewed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my NTTA bill with a payment plan?

NTTA does not offer formal payment plans. You must pay the full bill by the due date. If you're facing hardship, contact NTTA customer service to discuss your situation — they may be able to work with you on timing, but this is not may provide.

What if I paid my bill but still got a notice?

Mail payments take 7 to 10 days to process, so a notice may arrive before your payment is recorded. Check your account online to confirm payment was received. If it was, you can ignore the notice. If it wasn't, contact NTTA immediately.

Do I have to pay tolls if I didn't see a toll booth?

Yes. All NTTA toll roads use open-road tolling, meaning there's no booth to stop at — cameras read your license plate and bill you later. If you drove the road, you owe the toll, whether or not you saw signage.

Will paying my NTTA bill remove the registration hold?

Once you pay, NTTA notifies the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, and the hold is lifted. This can take a few business days, so don't expect it to clear instantly. You can then renew your registration.

Can someone else pay my NTTA bill for me?

Yes. Anyone can pay an NTTA bill online or by phone using the invoice number. The person paying doesn't need to be the vehicle owner. This is useful if a family member or friend wants to help settle the debt.