WATCH OUR VIDEO: Understanding the civil penalty process
Why did I recieve a notice of civil penalty?
You recieved a notice of civil penalty because you failed to pay your toll within 80 days of when you traveled. Before you recieve a notice of civil penalty you should have recieved two toll bills, one within 15 days of traveling and another approximately 30 days after traveling. If you fail to pay the full amount of the toll bill by the due date listed on the bill it becomes a civil penalty and a $40 penalty will be assessed for each unpaid transaction. You must pay the penalty plus all accumulated tolls and fees.
What are my options if I receive a civil penalty?
After receiving a civil penalty, you have up to 20 days to pay, schedule an in person hearing or send in a written dispute.
How do I pay a civil penalty?
You can pay a civil penalty using a credit card, debit card, check or electronic check using the following options:
- Pay online
- By phone: 1-866-936-8246
- By mail: WSDOT Toll Enforcement Office, P.O. Box 300326, Seattle, WA 98103
- In person at a customer service center in Seattle, Bellevue or Gig Harbor
Cash is accepted at customer service centers only. Do not mail cash.
How do I dispute a civil penalty?
If you want to dispute a civil penalty, you may either request an in person hearing or submit a Written Dispute In Lieu of Hearing form included in the civil penalty.
What can a judge do if I dispute a civil penalty?
The administrative judge can only decide if you are liable or not liable and does not have the legal authority to:
- Negotiate or offer a settlement;
- Waive or lower the mandatory fine/toll amount;
- Extend the payment deadline or grant a payment plan.
Should I dispute the civil penalty?
If you feel any of the civil penalties were in error, you should you should dispute the civil penalty. Some reasons you should dispute include: if you are not the registered owner of the vehicle, if your vehicle was sold or stolen when the toll transaction occurred or if there was a system error.
You should not dispute the civil penalty if you were not driving the vehicle, were visiting from out of town, or did not receive the toll bill.
What happens if I don’t pay or contest a civil penalty?
Failure to pay or contest the civil penalty will result in the following:
- A waiver of the right to contest the civil penalty;
- A hold may be placed on the vehicle registration renewal; and/or
- The amount due may be transferred to a collection agency.
Is this considered a moving violation? Will this go on my driving record?
No. A toll violation is a civil penalty, and it will not affect your personal or commercial driver license. No points will be assessed to your driving record and no record of this infraction will be sent to your insurance company. However, if you fail to pay the associated fine, the Good To Go! customer service center will notify the Department of Licensing, and it may affect your ability to renew your vehicle license tabs. Failure to properly register your vehicle may result in additional infraction and criminal charges.
Can I get my toll charges reduced?
A judge cannot reduce the penalty amount; they can only require payment or dismiss the toll charge. Registered vehicle owners are responsible for paying tolls and the civil penalty whether or not they were driving and whether or not they received a toll bill.
I am a Good To Go! customer and I received a civil penalty. What should I do?
If you have a Good To Go! account that is not in good standing or was inactive at the time the toll transactions occurred, and you do not pay the toll(s), you will receive a civil penalty and must pay or dispute the civil penalty by in-person hearing or written dispute in lieu of hearing.
What if the picture on the civil penalty is not my vehicle?
You must contest the civil penalty as described above.
Can I just pay the toll?
No. Payment of the toll will not satisfy the civil penalty for your toll violation. You must pay the full amount as shown on your civil penalty, which includes $40 plus any additional fees assessed by the Good To Go! customer service center for each unpaid toll transaction.