Golden Gate Bridge Pay-by-Plate
If you cross the Golden Gate Bridge without a FasTrak transponder, the toll is $9.75. Overhead cameras capture your license plate and a bill is sent to the registered vehicle owner. No stopping, no booths, no cash.
How Pay-by-Plate Works
You cross the bridge
Drive through normally at the posted speed. There are no toll booths or gates. High-speed cameras above the lanes photograph your front and rear license plates as you pass.
The system identifies your vehicle
Automated systems read your plate number and match it to the registered owner through DMV records. This works for California plates and out-of-state plates alike.
An invoice is mailed within 21 days
A toll invoice for $9.75 is mailed to the registered owner's address. The invoice includes the date, time, and a photo of your vehicle at the toll plaza.
You pay within 21 days
Pay online, by phone, or by mail. If you do not pay within 21 days of the invoice, a $25 penalty is added. Pay proactively within 48 hours of crossing to avoid any invoice altogether.
Pay Within 48 Hours - Skip the Invoice
If you pay your toll within 48 hours of crossing, the system processes it immediately and you will never receive a paper invoice. This is the fastest way to handle a pay-by-plate crossing.
Pay Online
Go to bayareafastrak.org/paytoll and enter your license plate number and the date you crossed. Payment processes instantly.
Pay by Phone
Call (877) BAY-TOLL (229-8655) and follow the prompts to pay by credit or debit card. Available 24/7 for automated payments.
Payment Timeline
| When | What Happens | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Within 48 hours | Pay proactively online - no invoice sent | $9.75 |
| ~21 days | Invoice mailed to registered owner | $9.75 |
| ~42 days | First violation notice (invoice unpaid) | $34.75 |
| ~100 days | Second violation notice | $104.75 |
Already received a violation? See our toll violation guide for how to pay, appeal, or get a first-time penalty waiver.
Pay-by-Plate vs FasTrak
Pay-by-plate costs $1.00 more per crossing than FasTrak. For infrequent crossers (a few times per year), the convenience of pay-by-plate may be worth the extra dollar. But if you cross regularly, FasTrak saves meaningful money over time.
Ready to switch? See our FasTrak setup guide - the transponder is free with a $25 prepaid balance.
Out-of-State Vehicles
The pay-by-plate system works for vehicles registered in any US state. Cameras capture your plate, and the toll authority works with your state's DMV to obtain the registered owner's address. Processing may take a few extra days compared to California-registered vehicles, but the toll amount ($9.75) and payment deadlines are the same.
If you are visiting from another state and want to pay proactively, you can do so within 48 hours at bayareafastrak.org/paytoll using your plate number and crossing date. This is especially recommended if your DMV address is not current, as the invoice will be mailed to whatever address is on file.