How to pay tolls online through Tolls by Mail NY

Tolls by Mail NY is the system that New York uses to bill drivers who use toll roads without a transponder or who do not have an E-ZPass account. When you drive through a toll plaza without paying at the booth, a camera reads your license plate and the state mails you an invoice. You can pay that invoice online at tollsbymailny.com by entering your invoice number and the license plate number, then providing a payment method.

The website accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank account transfers. Payment is processed immediately, and you receive a confirmation number on screen. You do not need to create an account or log in — each payment is a one-time transaction tied to that specific invoice.

If you have multiple unpaid tolls, you can pay them one at a time on the same visit to the website, or you can set up a payment plan if the total amount owed is high enough. The state also offers the option to enroll in a Tolls by Mail account, which lets you prepay and avoid future invoices, though that is a separate step from paying an existing bill.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay a Tolls by Mail invoice online at tollsbymailny.com using your invoice number and license plate number without creating an account.
  • The website accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfers, and payment is processed immediately with a confirmation number provided on screen.
  • If you owe multiple tolls, you can pay each invoice separately during the same session or request a payment plan for larger amounts.
  • Enrolling in a Tolls by Mail account after paying your current bill lets you prepay future tolls and avoid receiving invoices in the mail.

What information you need to pay online

Before you go to tollsbymailny.com, gather your invoice and have it in front of you. You will need the invoice number, which appears at the top of the paper bill or in any email notice the state sent you. You will also need the license plate number of the vehicle that was photographed at the toll plaza.

Have your payment method ready as well. The site accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards, as well as debit cards that carry one of those logos. If you prefer to pay by bank transfer, you will need your routing number and account number. A processing fee applies to credit and debit card payments — the state charges a percentage of the amount you are paying, which is shown before you confirm the transaction.

If you are paying on behalf of a rental car or a vehicle you do not own, you may need additional information. Some invoices are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle, not the driver. Check the name on the invoice to see whose account it is under.

Step-by-step process for paying at tollsbymailny.com

Go to tollsbymailny.com and look for the "Pay Your Bill" or "Make a Payment" button on the home page. Click it to open the payment form. Enter your invoice number in the first field — this is the number printed at the top of your bill or in the email notice.

In the next field, enter the license plate number of the vehicle that incurred the toll. The system will pull up the details of your invoice, including the toll amount, the date it was incurred, and the toll plaza where it occurred. Review this information to make sure it matches your bill.

Select your payment method — credit card, debit card, or bank account. If you choose a card, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. If you choose a bank account, enter your routing number, account number, and account type. The site will show you the processing fee before you submit payment. Click "Confirm" or "Pay Now" to complete the transaction.

You will receive a confirmation number on screen immediately. Write this down or take a screenshot. The state will also send a confirmation email to the address on file, though this may take a few hours to arrive. Keep the confirmation number in case you need to dispute the charge or verify payment later.

Processing fees and payment timing

Tolls by Mail NY charges a processing fee when you pay online with a credit card or debit card. The fee is a percentage of the toll amount — it varies slightly depending on the payment method, but typically ranges from 2 to 3 percent. The exact fee is displayed on the payment screen before you confirm, so you know the total cost before your card is charged.

If you pay by bank transfer (ACH), the fee is usually lower or waived entirely, though this depends on the current state policy. Check the payment screen to see what fee applies to your chosen method.

Payment is processed immediately when you submit the form. Your bank or credit card company may take one to three business days to post the charge to your account, but the state receives the payment right away. Once processed, your invoice is marked as paid in the state's system, and you will not receive a second notice for that toll.

What to do if you cannot find your invoice number

If you have lost the paper bill or the email notice, you can still pay online, but you will need to locate your invoice number another way. Call the Tolls by Mail customer service line at 1-844-TOLLS-NY (1-844-865-5769). A representative can look up your invoice using your license plate number and provide the invoice number over the phone.

You can also check your email spam or junk folder — some email providers filter the state's notices automatically. If you registered an email address with the state when you received your first notice, future invoices will go to that address.

If you have received multiple notices and are unsure which one to pay first, the customer service line can tell you the total amount owed and break down each invoice by date and toll plaza. This is helpful if you want to pay the oldest toll first or if you are considering a payment plan.

Payment plans for multiple unpaid tolls

If you owe more than one toll and the total amount is substantial, you may be able to set up a payment plan instead of paying the full amount at once. The state offers this option for drivers who have accumulated multiple unpaid tolls over time. To request a payment plan, call 1-844-TOLLS-NY and speak with a representative.

The representative will review your account, calculate the total owed, and discuss a schedule that works for your budget. Payment plans typically require a down payment followed by monthly installments. The exact terms depend on how much you owe and your circumstances.

While a payment plan is being arranged, continue to pay any new tolls as they arrive to avoid further accumulation. If you miss a payment on the plan, the state may take collection action or suspend your vehicle registration, so treat the agreed schedule as a firm commitment.

Enrolling in a Tolls by Mail account to avoid future invoices

After you pay your current bill, you have the option to enroll in a Tolls by Mail account. This is different from paying a single invoice — it is a prepaid account that lets you fund a balance in advance. When you drive through a toll plaza without a transponder, the toll is deducted from your account balance instead of triggering an invoice in the mail.

To enroll, visit tollsbymailny.com and look for the "Enroll" or "Create an Account" option. You will provide your license plate number, vehicle information, and contact details. You can then add funds to your account using a credit card, debit card, or bank transfer. The minimum prepaid amount varies but is typically $25 to $50.

Once your account is active and funded, you will not receive paper bills for tolls incurred in New York. Your balance decreases each time you use a toll road. When the balance drops below a certain threshold, you can add more funds online or set up automatic replenishment so the account refills itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to pay my Tolls by Mail bill online?

Yes. Credit and debit card payments include a processing fee of roughly 2 to 3 percent of the toll amount. Bank transfer (ACH) payments may have a lower fee or no fee. The exact fee is shown on the payment screen before you confirm the transaction.

Can I pay someone else's Tolls by Mail bill if I have their invoice number?

Yes, you can pay an invoice for another person's vehicle as long as you have the invoice number and the license plate number. The payment is processed immediately, and a confirmation is sent to the email address on file for that invoice. The registered owner of the vehicle will see the payment reflected in their account.

What happens if my payment is declined?

If your card or bank account is declined, the payment will not go through and you will see an error message on the screen. Check that your card number, expiration date, or account information is correct and try again. If the problem persists, contact your bank or card issuer to confirm the account is active and has sufficient funds.

How long does it take for my payment to show up in my account?

The state receives your payment immediately when you submit it online. Your bank or credit card company may take one to three business days to post the charge. Once the state processes the payment, your invoice is marked as paid and you will not receive a second notice for that toll.

Can I get a refund if I paid a toll twice by mistake?

Yes. If you paid the same invoice twice or paid a toll you did not incur, contact Tolls by Mail customer service at 1-844-TOLLS-NY to request a refund. Have your confirmation numbers ready. Refunds are typically issued to the original payment method within two to four weeks.