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aerbus32's avatar
aerbus32
Explorer II
May 18, 2015

Golden Gate Bridge Toll

Just before Easter we crossed the Golden Gate in our dinghy. When we arrived back at our So Cal homebase last week, we had a letter waiting for us telling us that we were delinquent in paying the toll for crossing the bridge. DW contacted them by email & explained the situation. She offered that we would be more than willing to pay the toll, but would really appreciate a waiver of the penalty fees. They were kind enough to accommodate that request. Like to 'publicly' thank them & warn others who are enjoying extended travels and might be using the bridge.
Roads and Routes

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  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    May 19, 2015
    Nope. They did away with the toll booths completely on the GGB.
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    May 18, 2015
    CA Traveler wrote:
    When the system was initiated I tried to find out how they would handle out of state plates and never got a good answer and I still don't know.


    Same way, they send an invoice to the address on the registration (which is pulled from the state's DMV).
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    May 18, 2015
    You can also prepay or postpay by using the information on their website. Or pay when you get the bill which is a option if you will return home soon.

    We decided to just get the FasTrak card and register both vehicles, but this likely isn't the best option for a one time crossing.

    When the system was initiated I tried to find out how they would handle out of state plates and never got a good answer and I still don't know.

    BTW Northbound is free and you pay southbound only.
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    May 18, 2015
    Normally there is an invoice for the actual toll amount that is mailed to the address used for the vehicle's registration (they take a photo of the license plate at the toll crossing). This invoice is sent out and there is between a 2 week to 1 month period in which to pay without penalties (from the notice date not the crossing date). If they don't receive a payment, they send a violation notice with a penalty fee. They will often waive this penalty fee if you write/call them and explain.
  • the_bear_II's avatar
    the_bear_II
    Explorer
    May 18, 2015
    To clarify, many of the toll roads and bridges in California have gone to a pay per use fee using credit cards. You can sign up and have the tolls taken directly out of your credit card or you can call or use their website to pay the fee after you use the road or bridge (honor system). All of the manned tollbooths have been removed. It's all automated. The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) calls this FasTrak.

    If you don't call and pay then you receive a letter and penalties for failure to pay.
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    May 18, 2015
    FasTrak is very understanding about stuff like this and will often waive the penalties.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    May 18, 2015
    Don't ya just love when the 'back end' of technology is a paper letter?

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