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AET is Here!
The Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority transitioned to all-electronic tolling (AET) on Saturday, February 28 to enhance efficiency, safety, and convenience for drivers.
What is All-Electronic Tolling?
All-electronic tolling (AET) eliminates the need for toll booths and cash payments by using E-ZPass transponders and license plate recognition technology to collect tolls seamlessly. AET provides a faster, safer, and more efficient driving experience.
AET reduces congestion, minimizes environmental impacts and improves traffic flow by allowing vehicles to travel without stopping.
Scroll to the bottom of the page to view our Frequently Asked Questions.
Vehicles maintain highway speeds through gantries.
License plate recognition technology identifies vehicles without E-ZPass transponders.
The Powhite Parkway, Downtown Expressway, and Boulevard Bridge ramps are going all electronic. No cash, no stopping.
Where Is AET Happening?
AET was launched on the Powhite Parkway, Downtown Expressway, Boulevard Bridge and all ramps on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
The Powhite Parkway covers 3.4 miles between Chippenham Parkway and the Cary Street ramps and includes a 0.4-mile-long bridge crossing the James River.
The Powhite Parkway Toll Plaza currently has a total of 20 lanes – 14 physical lanes and six Open Road Tolling lanes (three in each direction). The Forest Hill interchange has a total of eight lanes to its on- and off-ramps to Powhite Parkway, and the Douglasdale ramps north of the river have two unmanned lanes connected to the parkway.
Cash is no longer accepted on the Powhite Parkway, Boulevard and all ramps. Drivers pay tolls without stopping at toll points as all tolls are collected electronically via E-ZPass or Pay-By-Plate.
At the Downtown Expressway, motorists can pay via AET. However, on this roadway, cash will also be accepted from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Outside of those hours, tolls will be collected using E-ZPass, and if a driver does not have an E-ZPass, Pay-By-Plate will apply.
When Is AET Happening?
The transition to all-electronic tolling took place on Saturday, February 28 on the Powhite Parkway, Downtown Expressway, 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. The Downtown Expressway is expected to transition completely to no cash in 2027.
How is Payment Collected Without Toll Booths?
Drivers pay tolls electronically with E-ZPass or Pay-By-Plate. If you don’t have an E-ZPass, a camera will take an image of your license plate, and you will receive a statement in the mail.
E-ZPass is an electronic toll payment system that lets you pay tolls without stopping. When you open an account online or pick up an E-ZPass On-the-Go Transponder from a local retailer, you will receive a small electronic transponder that attaches to your vehicle’s windshield. Your initial payment funds your account to pay tolls.
With Pay-By-Plate, each time you travel through an RMTA roadway, a camera will take an image of your license plate, and you will receive a statement in the mail.
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Frequently Asked Questions
About RMTA
The Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority is an independent authority and political subdivision that was created by an act of the Virginia General Assembly in 1966.
RMTA owns and operates three roadways in the Richmond region – the Powhite Parkway, Downtown Expressway and Boulevard Bridge. The Expressway System contains over 50 lane miles of roads and 36 bridges in the City of Richmond.
RMTA Revenues
RMTA receives no federal or state tax dollars. The Authority is a self-supporting entity, depending solely on the revenues derived from operations and proceeds from the issuance of revenue bonds to fund the Expressway System.
Revenues from tolls go toward maintenance and capital improvement projects to better serve RMTA’s customers.
All-Electronic Tolling
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, Downtown Expressway, Boulevard Bridge and all ramps. As part of a phased approach, cash will still 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 in 2027.
Please note: The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) operates the Powhite Parkway Extension, located just past the Chippenham Parkway exit on the south side of the James River Bridge. This section of the Parkway will continue to accept cash payments. Please direct any questions regarding the Extension to VDOT.
On Saturday, February 28, RMTA transitioned to all-electronic tolling (AET) on the Powhite Parkway, Boulevard Bridge and all ramps.
Cash will still 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.
Methods of Payment and Toll Rates
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 also have the ability to pay their statements online in the GoRMTA payment portal. 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 is a registered prepaid Pay-By-Plate account administered by the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
While a GoRMTA account does not reduce toll rates like an E-ZPass does, it allows drivers to track tolls, receive monthly statements and conveniently manage travel and payments.
You may sign up for a GoRMTA account in the RMTA payment portal on www.rmtaonline.org.
You may sign up for a GoRMTA account in the RMTA payment portal on www.rmtaonline.org.
A GoRMTA account is a prepaid registered Pay-By-Plate account. While a GoRMTA account does not reduce toll rates like an E-ZPass does, it allows drivers to track tolls, receive monthly statements and conveniently manage travel and payments.
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.
| Method of Payment
(two and three-axle vehicles) |
Powhite Parkway | Downtown Expressway | Boulevard Bridge | All Ramps |
| Cash | N/A | Two Axles
$1.00 (from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. only)
Three Axles $1.10 |
N/A | N/A |
| Virginia
E-ZPass |
Two Axles
$0.90
Three Axles $1.10 |
Two Axles
$0.90
Three Axles $1.10 |
Two Axles
$0.45
Three Axles $1.00 |
Two Axles
$0.45
Three Axles $1.00 |
| Out-of-State
E-ZPass |
Two Axles
$1.00
Three Axles $1.10 |
Two Axles
$1.00
Three Axles $1.10 |
Two Axles
$0.50
Three Axles $1.00 |
Two Axles
$0.50
Three Axles $1.00 |
| Pay-By-Plate | Two Axles
$2.00
Three Axles $2.20 |
Two Axles
$2.00
Three Axles $2.20 |
Two Axles
$1.00
Three Axles $2.00 |
Two Axles
$1.00
Three Axles $2.00 |
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 15-30-day period.
Please pay the balance by the due date on the statement to avoid additional fees.
Failure to pay tolls by the due date on the statement will result in fines. Please see toll escalation process below:
E-ZPass
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.
More details on Pay-By-Plate and GoRMTA accounts
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.
Drivers 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
You may sign up for a GoRMTA account in the RMTA payment portal on www.rmtaonline.org.
Please note: A GoRMTA account does not reduce toll rates like an E-ZPass does.
Note: Statements are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle for toll(s) incurred over a 15-30-day period.
See toll rate chart below.
| Method of Payment
(two-axle vehicles) |
Powhite Parkway | Downtown Expressway | Boulevard Bridge | All Ramps |
| Pay-By-Plate | Two Axles
$2.00
Three Axles $2.20 |
Two Axles
$2.00
Three Axles $2.20
|
Two Axles
$1.00
Three Axles $2.00 |
Two Axles
$1.00
Three Axles $2.00 |
Drivers who traveled on the Powhite Parkway, Downtown Expressway, Boulevard Bridge and all ramps without an E-ZPass after February 28 may receive statements in the mail as part of the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (RMTA) transition to all-electronic tolling (AET).
Receiving a statement simply means the vehicle traveled on the RMTA expressway system without using an E-ZPass.
Your statement will provide a detailed summary of your activity on the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority Expressway System. This typically includes:
- Date, time, location and photo of the vehicle license plate for each toll transaction.
- Any fees or charges applied
- Payment due date and minimum amount due (if applicable)
- Payment options
- Important account updates or notices
E-ZPass customers should not receive a statement if their transporters are mounted properly and read.
You can find more information on these statements, including FAQs at https://www.rmtaonline.org/received-a-statement/
More details on tolls and AET roadways
Yes, you have the ability to dispute a toll online in the payment portal. You also have the option to complete the Dispute Form included with your statement and mail it to the provided address.
If you need additional help, you can contact the customer service center at 1-833-990-5405 for assistance.
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.
With all-electronic tolling now in place, we are reviewing options for demolishing the toll plazas and redesigning the roadway.
We will share updates online at www.rmtaonline.org as they become available.
Motorcycles
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.
Contact Information
You may speak to a customer service representative at1-833-990-5405 between 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
You can find information on contacting E-ZPass at Home | E-ZPass® Virginia.
In addition, you may find helpful information at E-ZPass About page or E-ZPass FAQ page .