Traffic Payout

If you don’t pay your tolls, after 80 days you’ll receive this envelope with a notice of civil penalty.

This week we started a new toll enforcement program to help collect tolls from drivers who crossed the SR 520 and Tacoma Narrows bridges and have not yet paid their toll bill.

Previously, Tacoma Narrows Bridge drivers who didn’t pay at the toll booths or have a Good To Go! account were sent a $52 ticket. Now, drivers have 80 days to pay the toll before receiving a notice of civil penalty.

If you want to dispute a penalty, you will find a more customer friendly dispute-resolution process – and more revenue goes back to the bridges. Under the old process, only $12 of the $52 infraction went back to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The new program allows us to put collected tolls, fees and penalties back into paying for each bridge.

 

What is a notice of civil penalty?

A civil penalty includes more than just the toll. After 80 days, owners of registered vehicles must pay the toll, a $40 penalty and any additional fees.

Let’s say you crossed the SR 520 bridge during the peak commute time without a Good To Go! account. We’ll mail a bill to the driver within 14 days.  Those who don’t pay within 15 days get a second bill with a $5 reprocessing fee. The longer you wait, the costlier it gets. Drivers with unpaid tolls receive a notice of civil penalty and a $40 fine in addition to the late fee for each toll left unpaid after 80 days.

Example of how tolls can add up:
    First bill: $5 toll = $5 total
    Second bill: $5 toll + $5 reprocessing fee = $10 total
    Notice of Civil Penalty: $5 toll + $5 reprocessing fee + $40 civil penalty = $50 total

 

What should I do if receive a civil penalty?

Similar to a parking ticket, you shouldn’t ignore your penalty. If you receive a notice you have two options: pay or dispute. If you don’t believe you’re responsible for the penalty you can dispute in writing or request a hearing. Hearings will take place at a public court in Fife or at the Good To Go! customer service center off I-5 in north Seattle.

Unlike traffic court, toll enforcement judges are unable to reduce penalty amounts. They can only make a judgment on whether the vehicle owner is responsible for the tolls or not. Watch our video on YouTube to learn more about the dispute process.

 

Avoid receiving a civil penalty in the future

It’s easy to avoid additional fees or a civil penalty:

• Keep your eyes open for a toll bill in the mail about 14 days after using a tolled bridge.
• Make sure to pay your first toll bill within 15 days of receiving it.
• Double-check your info with the Department of Licensing to confirm your address is current since tolls bills are sent to the registered vehicle owner.

You can choose not to receive a toll bill in the mail by signing up for a Good To Go! account. No bill plus you’ll get the lowest toll rate.

 

Questions?

As always, please call us at 1-866-936-8246 if you have questions about toll charges. We’re here to help.