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Driver questionTolls, E-ZPass & congestion pricing

What Happens if My E-ZPass Balance Goes Negative?

Below $0, MTA says your E-ZPass account is out of compliance and you may get a Toll Bill. How to clear it, the late fees to beat, and the TLC balance rules.

  • Reviewed
  • 2 min read
  • 6 official sources
On this page (5)
  1. What to do next
  2. Related rules for TLC vehicles
  3. Exceptions and edge cases
  4. FAQ
  5. Sources

When your E-ZPass balance falls below $0, MTA says your account is "not in compliance with the E-ZPass agreement," and "as a result, you may receive a Toll Bill" (MTA). A Toll Bill is a bill mailed to the vehicle's registered owner, the same kind of bill drivers without E-ZPass get. Fund the account first, then pay any bill from your E-ZPass account before its late fees start. If you own a TLC vehicle, keeping a sufficient balance is also a TLC rule.

What to do next

  1. Add money now

    Bring the balance back above $0 in the Tolls NY app or at e-zpassny.com. The Port Authority calls Tolls NY "the only authorized mobile app" for E-ZPass NY and Tolls by Mail.

  2. Watch your mail and email for a Toll Bill

    Crossings made while the account was negative may come back as Toll Bills addressed to the registered owner.

  3. Pay each bill from your funded account

    On the Tolls by Mail website, choose "Resolve Toll Bill (E-ZPass Customers)" and pay it with your E-ZPass NY account (MTA).

  4. Beat the late-fee dates

    MTA adds a $5 late charge if a bill is unpaid 30 days after the bill date, and $50 for each unpaid bridge or tunnel toll after 60 days.

  5. Stop it happening again

    MTA's advice: "Keep a positive balance on your E-ZPass and sign up for Mobile Alerts." Automatic replenishment or Pay Per Trip help.

Never pay a toll through a link in a text message. The Port Authority warns of a "widespread text scam" using the name "NY Toll Services." See is the NY Toll Services text a scam?

A negative balance is mostly a money problem for you. For vehicle owners, it can also be a TLC rule problem:

TLC balance rules

WhoRuleWhat it saysPenalty
Taxi medallion owner58-27(b)(3)"Owners must maintain a sufficient balance in their EZ-Pass® account, according to what is required by the program."$100 and suspension until compliance; appearance required
FHV owner59A-24(b)(3)Same words, "as required by the EZ-Pass program"$100 and suspension until compliance; appearance required
Green cab (SHL) licensee82-27(b)(3)Same requirement$100 and suspension until compliance; appearance required
Taxi or green cab driver with a replenishment account80-15(d)(5)Keep the required balance in the owner's replenishment account$50 plus restitution to the tag holder; appearance required

So if you own the car and the account behind its tag goes negative, fix it fast. Details: rule 58-27 for taxi owners. If you lease and the owner's account is the one going negative, the Toll Bills go to the owner as registered owner, but they may try to pass costs to you. Ask for the statement and see replenishment accounts for lease drivers.

Exceptions and edge cases

  • Pay Per Trip has no prepaid balance. The Port Authority describes it as paying "for your E-ZPass tolls the same day you use them," and MTA says it links your E-ZPass to your bank account. It is only for E-ZPass New York accounts. See paying for E-ZPass without a credit card.
  • Cash payers. MTA accepts cash at VanillaDirect retailers using the barcode on your statement. Top up before you run low.
  • Negative balance vs other causes. A Toll Bill can also come from an unlinked plate, an unread tag or an out-of-state tag. Check all causes in why did I get a toll bill with E-ZPass? An unmounted tag is a different charge (Mid-Tier), explained in tag mounting.
  • Bills you ignore keep growing. Unpaid tolls or fees "may result in suspension of vehicle registration," a civil judgment, or exclusion from MTA facilities (MTA). Under state law, DMV can suspend a registration for 3 or more toll violations in 5 years (DMV). The full order of events: toll bill late-fee timeline.
  • Before a hearing or appeal. If a TLC matter turns on your E-ZPass history, statements are evidence. See E-ZPass records as evidence and, if a case goes against you, what happens if I lose my OATH appeal.

New to E-ZPass? Start with how to open an E-ZPass NY account and which E-ZPass to get. All toll pages: tolls.

Frequently asked questions

Will E-ZPass still work with a negative balance?

MTA says that if your balance goes below $0, your account is not in compliance with the E-ZPass agreement, and you may receive a Toll Bill. Don't count on crossings being charged at the E-ZPass rate until the account is funded again.

I got a Toll Bill because my balance was negative. Can I pay it from my E-ZPass?

Yes. MTA tells E-ZPass customers to pay a Toll Bill with a funded E-ZPass NY account through the 'Resolve Toll Bill (E-ZPass Customers)' option on the Tolls by Mail website.

Is a negative balance a TLC violation?

For owners it can be. Taxi, FHV and green cab owner rules (58-27(b)(3), 59A-24(b)(3), 82-27(b)(3)) require a sufficient balance, with $100 and suspension until compliance.

How do I stop it from happening again?

MTA suggests keeping a positive balance and signing up for mobile alerts. Automatic replenishment or Pay Per Trip, which pays tolls from your bank account the same day, are the usual ways.

What if I ignore the Toll Bill?

At MTA crossings, a $5 late charge is added after 30 days, and a $50 fee for each unpaid toll after 60 days. Unpaid tolls can also lead to registration suspension.

Sources

Last reviewed against the official sources on .

  1. MTA: How to avoid toll violation fees (updated Mar 19, 2025) mta.info
  2. MTA: How to pay tolls (updated Apr 23, 2025) mta.info
  3. TLC Rule Book, Chapter 58 (updated Feb 27, 2026): §58-27(b)(3) nyc.gov
  4. TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (updated Feb 27, 2026): §59A-24(b)(3) nyc.gov
  5. TLC Rule Book, Chapter 80 (updated June 6, 2025): §80-15(d)(5) nyc.gov
  6. NYS DMV: Registration suspensions for failure to pay tolls dmv.ny.gov

Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.

TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.

Related

Driver questionWhy Did I Get a Toll Bill When I Have E-ZPass?Five reasons an E-ZPass driver still gets a Tolls by Mail bill: unlinked plate, balance below $0, new plates, wrong car, wrong issuer. Each with its fix.Read GuidePaying for E-ZPass Without a Credit CardFund E-ZPass NY with a bank account (auto-replenish or Pay Per Trip) or with cash at VanillaDirect stores, with no $10 deposit. How each works and its risks.Read GuideToll Bill Late Fees & Violations: The TimelineWhat happens day by day when a NY toll bill isn't paid: MTA $5 late fee at 30 days, $50 per toll at 60, Thruway and Port Authority steps, then DMV suspension.Read §58-27(a)Taxi Owner E-ZPass Account & Tags$100 and suspension until compliance.TopicTolls, E-ZPass & Congestion Pricing for TLC DriversFour charges NYC drivers mix up: bridge and tunnel tolls, the MTA congestion toll, the state surcharge and airport fees. Who pays each, and every crossing.Read GuideE-ZPass Mid-Tier Rate: Why Your Tag Must Be MountedWhy NYC bridges charge you the Mid-Tier toll, what it costs per crossing at MTA and Port Authority, and how to mount and link your tag to pay E-ZPass rates.Read GuideE-ZPass Replenishment Accounts for Lease DriversHow much E-ZPass money a taxi or FHV owner can hold from a lease driver ($10 per 12-hour shift, $100 max), what they may deduct, and the 30-day refund rule.Read Driver questionIs the 'NY Toll Services' Text a Scam?The Port Authority says 'NY Toll Services' texts about unpaid tolls are likely a scam. How to check your real toll balance safely, and what to do if you paid.Read