State Guide
How to Dispute a Toll in California
Navigating violations with FasTrak (Bay Area, OCTA, The Toll Roads, LA Metro ExpressLanes) can be confusing. Follow this guide to fight your charge.
Generate a California Dispute Letter
Toll AuthorityFasTrak (Bay Area, OCTA, The Toll Roads, LA Metro ExpressLanes)
Dispute DeadlineTypically within the deadline printed on your notice (often ~30 days; investigations may be requested before the second notice)
Contact InfoContact the issuing FasTrak agency listed on your notice via its official website.
Disputing a Toll in California
California's FasTrak brand covers several independent agencies — the Bay Area Toll Authority, The Toll Roads (TCA) in Orange County, OCTA, and LA Metro ExpressLanes. The agency that issued your violation determines where you dispute.
Valid Reasons to Dispute a Toll in California
- The license plate was misread by the camera system.
- You were not the registered owner of the vehicle on the violation date in California.
- You had a valid, funded transponder account that should have covered the toll.
- You have proof the toll was already paid.
- The vehicle was sold, stolen, or rented to someone else at the time.
- The toll equipment malfunctioned or charged a duplicate toll.
Step-by-Step Filing Instructions
- Act before your deadline — typically within the deadline printed on your notice (often ~30 days; investigations may be requested before the second notice). Note the exact response date printed on your notice.
- Gather your evidence — vehicle registration, transponder statement, bill of sale, or police report.
- Write a dispute letter stating your plate number, notice number, violation date, and the reason you're disputing.
- Submit through the agency's official portal, or send by certified mail so you have proof of the submission date.
- Keep copies of everything and follow up if you don't receive a response within about 30 days.
California Toll Authority Mailing Addresses
- Bay Area FasTrak (pay or contest a violation) — FasTrak Customer Service Center, P.O. Box 26925, San Francisco, CA 94126
- The Toll Roads (Orange County / TCA) — The Toll Roads Violations Dept., P.O. Box 57011, Irvine, CA 92618
- Important: each entry is labeled by purpose (payment, contest/dispute, or violation). Send your dispute to the address shown for disputes, and always confirm against the exact address printed on your own notice, since agencies use different PO boxes for payments versus written disputes.
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What to Expect After You File
Once your dispute is submitted, the toll authority reviews your evidence and the original toll image before responding — most decisions in California arrive within 30 to 90 days. Sending your letter by certified mail, or keeping the confirmation number from an online submission, gives you proof that you filed on time if you ever need to escalate.
If your dispute is approved, the charge is dismissed or reduced and any related late fees are typically removed. If it's denied, you usually still have the right to request a hearing or pay the reduced base toll. Either way, responding in writing before the deadline protects you from registration holds and collection activity, which are far harder to undo later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which FasTrak agency do I contact in California?
Use the agency name printed on your violation notice — Bay Area FasTrak, The Toll Roads, OCTA, or LA Metro — since each handles its own disputes.
Can I request a review of a California toll violation?
Yes. You can request an investigation and submit evidence before the penalty is finalized at the second notice stage.
What if I get a California toll violation from the wrong agency?
Match the agency name on the notice to the correct address — Bay Area FasTrak and The Toll Roads use different PO boxes — and send your dispute to the agency that actually issued your notice.