You can pay Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) tolls with an EZ TAG account, the EZ TAG / EZ TAG Express apps, online one‑time payments, payment plans, or cash at limited locations.
Official links:
- HCTRA home: https://www.hctra.org
- Pay tolls & invoices: https://www.hctra.org/Violation/Search
1. Best Option: EZ TAG Account
A traditional EZ TAG is the main way to pay on Houston‑area toll roads (HCTRA, TxDOT, Fort Bend County, etc.).
- Create/manage at hctra.org or via the EZ TAG app (iOS/Android).
- Link a card or bank (ACH) and set auto‑replenish so your balance never goes negative.
- Mount the physical tag on your windshield; tolls deduct at the lowest electronic rate and you avoid paper invoices.
Inside your EZ TAG account you can view toll transactions, manage vehicles, update payment methods, and set alerts.
2. EZ TAG Express (No Physical Tag)
For occasional or visiting drivers, EZ TAG Express is an app‑only, pay‑as‑you‑go option (no sticker).
- Download EZ TAG Express (separate from the main EZ TAG app).
- Add your plate and card, and start driving right away—no mail, no tag.
- Pay per trip; tolls often at the higher “cash rate,” so better for infrequent users.
You can choose auto‑pay, manual pay, or a small prepaid balance in the app.
3. Paying Toll Invoices or Violations Online
If you drive without a working tag, HCTRA uses video tolling (plate capture) and creates violations; after several, an invoice is mailed.
To pay online:
- Go to hctra.org → Pay Tolls & Invoices (Violation/Search).
- Enter your license plate and invoice/violation number (or just plate to search).
- Review trips and fees, then pay by card or bank.
If you have multiple unpaid trips, you may see uninvoiced violations online before a bill arrives; you can and should pay them directly to avoid collections.
4. Other Payment Methods and Plans
Besides web/app payments:
- By phone: Call HCTRA customer service at 281‑875‑EASY (3279) for payments or help.
- Payment plans: For larger balances, HCTRA offers Payment Plans; search using your plate and invoice or plan number at the PaymentPlans page and enroll if eligible.
- Cash: Some walk‑in centers and partner locations accept cash; locations and hours are listed on HCTRA’s site.
TxTag, TollTag, and K‑TAG are accepted on HCTRA roads; if your out‑of‑area tag or plate isn’t set up correctly, you can still get HCTRA violations even with a working tag elsewhere.
5. Fees, Collections, and How to Avoid Problems
- An invoice is usually generated only after several unpaid toll events; there is a transaction fee added per invoice.
- HCTRA can send unpaid accounts to collections and may block your vehicle registration if you ignore violations.
- Many users report that calling HCTRA and fixing plate/tag mismatch or expired card issues leads to fee waivers, leaving just tolls plus a small admin fee.
To stay clear of trouble: keep your plate list and card info up to date, monitor your account periodically, and don’t wait for months hoping a bill will show up.
FAQs About HCTRA Toll Payments
1. How do I quickly pay a toll bill online?
Use hctra.org → Pay Tolls & Invoices, enter your plate and invoice/violation number, and pay by card or bank.
2. What’s the difference between EZ TAG and EZ TAG Express?
- EZ TAG: Physical tag, prepaid, best for frequent drivers and lowest rates.
- EZ TAG Express: App‑only, pay‑as‑you‑go, no tag, higher “cash‑like” rates, good for occasional use.
3. I just found “uninvoiced violations” online—do I wait for a bill?
No. Pay them as soon as possible via hctra.org or call HCTRA; waiting can lead to collections and extra fees.
4. Can I pay HCTRA tolls in cash?
Only at specific in‑person locations (service centers/partners), not at toll plazas; most lanes are electronic only.
5. What if my TxTag/TollTag didn’t read on an HCTRA road?
If your license plate isn’t correctly listed on your tag account, HCTRA’s cameras may treat it as a non‑tag vehicle and issue violations. Fix your plate on both accounts and call HCTRA to request fee adjustment.
6. How do I contact HCTRA?
Call 281‑875‑3279 (EASY) or use the contact info on hctra.org for account and violation support.
7. Can I set up auto‑pay?
Yes. In both EZ TAG and EZ TAG Express you can link a card or bank account and enable auto‑replenish/auto‑pay so you don’t run a negative balance or miss tolls.
