All tolling authorities—including the Texas Department of Transportation and toll road authorities in the Houston, Austin and Dallas metro areas—set their own fines for driving on toll roads without a toll tag, and may charge late fees.

TxDOT receives funding from toll roads owned by the state, including the Grand Parkway in Houston and SH 130 in Austin. The North Texas Tollway Authority operates many of the toll roads in the Dallas area.

The NTTA charges violators at least
50 percent more than drivers with toll tags, according to NTTA officials, and late charges apply.

Motorists who use TxDOT toll roads without a tag are charged the toll road price and a $1.50 mailing fee, according to officials with TxTag, TxDOT’s toll-collection system. Past due payments incur a $4 monthly late fee and can result in a $250 court fine.

The safest option, according to TxDOT,  is to pay tolls by the due date.