Tolls by Mail: Meaning, Rates and Who Gets the Bill

Tolls by Mail is how New York charges a vehicle that passes a cashless toll point without a working E-ZPass account. "Cameras capture an image of the license plate as the vehicle travels through a toll point (gantry)." A Toll Bill then goes to the registered owner at the address on DMV records (Thruway). It is the full price. The Port Authority says Tolls by Mail customers "pay the full toll and do not receive any E-ZPass discounts" (Port Authority).

How it works, in three steps

The price gap

With MTA rates effective January 4, 2026, a car pays by mail $12.03 at the RFK, Verrazzano, Throgs Neck, Whitestone, Queens-Midtown and Hugh L. Carey crossings, compared with $7.46 with NY E-ZPass. It pays $8.87 vs $3.42 at the Henry Hudson, and $6.02 vs $2.80 at Cross Bay and Marine Parkway (MTA). At Port Authority crossings a car pays $23.30 by mail at all hours, vs $14.79 to $16.79 with E-ZPass (rates as of 2026-10-12). The Thruway adds a $2.00 administrative surcharge per billing statement.

Why it matters to TLC drivers

• Every TLC vehicle must have E-ZPass, so a Toll Bill usually means something broke: a new TLC plate not linked, a balance below $0, or a tag not in the car.
• The bill goes to the registered owner. If you lease, the owner gets it. If you own the car, you do.
• Passengers can't be charged the mail rate. TLC rules limit passengers to "the actual amount (often a discounted toll) charged to the EZ-Pass." Charging more is an overcharge under Rule 80-17.
• Unpaid bills escalate. On MTA crossings: a $5 late charge after 30 days, then a $50 fee for each unpaid toll after 60 days, and possible registration suspension.

Where you'll see it

On a mailed Toll Bill, at TollsByMailNY.com, in the Tolls NY app, and as the "Tolls by Mail" column in rate tables.

Common mix-ups

• Tolls by Mail vs Mid-Tier. Mid-Tier is charged to your E-ZPass account when the plate is used instead of the tag. Tolls by Mail is a bill because no account paid.
• Tolls by Mail vs a violation. A Toll Bill becomes a violation, with bigger fees, only when it isn't paid in time.
• Tolls by Mail vs scam texts. Real bills come by mail. The Port Authority warns about "NY Toll Services" texts.

More: Tolls by Mail for TLC vehicles, E-ZPass vs Tolls by Mail share, Henry Hudson Bridge, New Jersey Turnpike, can I charge a passenger the mail rate?, how to dispute a toll bill, tolls hub.