AET is Here!

All-electronic tolling is a modern toll collection system that eliminates the need for toll booths, cash payments and manual transactions by using E-ZPass transponders and license plate recognition technology, known as Pay-By-Plate, to collect tolls seamlessly.

RMTA transitioned to all-electronic tolling on the Powhite Parkway, Boulevard Bridge and all ramps. As part of a phased approach, cash will be accepted at the Downtown Expressway from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; outside of those hours, Pay-By-Plate will apply for motorists who do not have E-ZPass transponders.

On Saturday, February 28, RMTA transitioned to all-electronic tolling (AET) on the Powhite Parkway, Boulevard Bridge and all ramps. Cash will be accepted at the Downtown Expressway from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; outside of those hours, Pay-By-Plate will apply for motorists who do not have E-ZPass transponders. The Downtown Expressway is expected to transition completely to no cash at toll plazas in 2027.

With all-electronic tolling, an overhead structure – known as a gantry – identifies vehicles and processes tolls electronically.

Drivers pay tolls electronically with E-ZPass. If drivers do not have E-ZPass transponders, a camera will take images of their license plates, known as Pay-By-Plate, and they will receive statements in the mail.

E-ZPass

Drivers can pay tolls electronically with E-ZPass transponders. E-ZPass is the most convenient way to pay tolls and provides a lower cost trip. Drivers can sign up for E-ZPass at www.ezpassva.com.

Pay-By-Plate

If drivers do not have E-ZPass transponders, a camera will take images of their license plates, known as Pay-By-Plate, and registered owners of the vehicles will receive statements in the mail.

Drivers will also have the ability to pay their statements online beginning in early 2026. If they choose to, at that time, they may also set up registered Pay-By-Plate accounts –

called GoRMTA accounts – to make managing statement payments easier.

Cash

Cash will only be accepted at the Downtown Expressway from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; outside of those hours, Pay-By-Plate will apply for motorists who do not have E-ZPass transponders.

The Downtown Expressway is expected to transition completely to no cash at toll plazas in 2027.

A GoRMTA account will be a registered Pay-By-Plate account administered by the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority that allows you to view transactions, prepay for travel and more.

In early 2026, RMTA will share how to set up registered Pay-By-Plate accounts which are called GoRMTA accounts.

No. E-ZPass provides a lower-cost trip. Pay-By-Plate and cash (where accepted) will cost more. See toll rate chart below:

Toll Rates

Note: The discount (based on the cash rate) applies only to two-axle vehicles.

For four and five axles, please visit the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority toll page.

Cash is only accepted at the Downtown Expressway from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Outside of those hours, if a driver does not have an E-ZPass, Pay-By-Plate will apply.

Note: The Downtown Expressway is expected to transition completely to no cash at the toll plazas in 2027.

With Pay-By-Plate, the registered owner of the vehicle will receive a statement in the mail for toll(s) incurred over a 30-day period with a small convenience fee depending on how payment is made. Fee details will be posted in early 2026.

Failure to pay tolls by the due date on the statement will result in fines. Please see toll escalation process below:

E-ZPass is an electronic toll collection system. Motorists open prepaid accounts and attach a small electronic device called a transponder to their windshields or license plates. As they travel through the toll facilities, tolls are automatically deducted from their pre-paid E-ZPass accounts. This convenient way to pay enables safer, faster and lower cost trips.

The Virginia Department of Transportation administers the E-ZPass program in Virginia.

E-ZPass transponders can be obtained several ways, including online, in person and by mail. For more information, visit www.ezpassva.com.

If you don’t have an E-ZPass, a camera will take an image of your license plate, known as Pay-By-Plate, and you will receive a statement in the mail.

Note: E-ZPass is the most convenient way to pay tolls and provides a lower cost trip. You can sign up for E-ZPass at www.ezpassva.com.

There are a few common reasons your transponder may not be working properly, including:

• Your account is out of funds.
• Your transponder’s battery is running low.
• Your transponder is improperly mounted.
• Your transponder has not yet been activated at the lane.
• A recent payment has not yet been received by the lane.
• It can take up to 24 hours for new accounts, payments, and new transponders to be activated and detected at Virginia toll plazas, and up to 48 hours in out-of-state lanes.

Please contact E-ZPass Virginia for help troubleshooting.

The Virginia Department of Transportation administers the E-ZPass program in Virginia. For guidance, please view the Maintaining your E-ZPass Account section on the E-ZPass About page or visit the E-ZPass FAQ page.

The Virginia Department of Transportation administers the E-ZPass program in Virginia. Please visit the E-ZPass About page or  E-ZPass FAQ page for additional help or information.

What is Pay-By-Plate?

Pay-By-Plate is a toll payment option for customers traveling on the RMTA Expressway system without E-ZPass transponders. When you travel on the RMTA Expressway System  without an E-ZPass, a camera will take an image of your license plate, known as Pay-By-Plate, and you will receive a statement in the mail.

In early 2026, drivers will have the option to create registered Pay-By-Play accounts –

called GoRMTA accounts – to make managing payments easier. With GoRMTA accounts, drivers may:

• Prepay for travel
• Manage rental car travel
• View transactions

RMTA will share how to set up GoRMTA accounts in early 2026.

Note: Statements are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle for toll(s) incurred over a 30-day period.

See toll rate chart below.

Yes, you will have the ability to dispute tolls by entering your license plate number and statement ID online to access your transactions. From there, you can select any toll on the statement and file a dispute.

You will also have the option to complete the Dispute Form included with your statement and mail it to the provided address or call the RMTA Customer Service Center at the number shown on your statement.

RMTA finances its expressway system through bonds and toll revenues, which also support ongoing maintenance. The Authority will continue to collect tolls for the three roadways we own and operate in the Richmond region – the Powhite Parkway over the James River Bridge and beyond to the north, the Downtown Expressway and the Boulevard Bridge.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) operates the Powhite Parkway Extension, located a little pass the Chippenham Parkway exit on the south side of the James River Bridge. Please direct questions regarding the Extension to VDOT.

Below are the instructions VDOT shared with us on how to best mount transponders on motorcycles. When we transition to all-electronic tolling (AET), if by chance the system doesn’t detect your transponder, the E-ZPass system should still associate your motorcycle’s license plate to your E-ZPass account:

• Basically, the system will review your license plate to confirm that an E-ZPass transponder is registered to you. (Please ensure your license plate information is accurate and up to date in your E-ZPass account.)
• If your E-ZPass is active, you should be charged as you have been charged in the past, although there may be a small fee for the look up. For example, on the Powhite Parkway, the toll will be $.90 if your transponder is read; if your transponder is not read, the toll may be $1.

You may speak to a customer service representative at1-833-990-5405 between 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)