Getting There: What happens if I don't pay my 520 toll bill?

Cars are shown on the Higway 520 floating bridge during what normally is a jammed p.m. rush hour on Thursday, December 29, 2011. The highway saw its usual traffic cut nearly in half as tolling on the bridge began. less Cars are shown on the Higway 520 floating bridge during what normally is a jammed p.m. rush hour on Thursday, December 29, 2011. The highway saw its usual traffic cut nearly in half as tolling on the bridge ... more Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Getting There: What happens if I don't pay my 520 toll bill? 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Question:

Electronic tolling started last week on the state Route 520 Bridge. I don't have a Good to Go! pass. If I get a toll bill in the mail, what happens if I don't pay it?

Answer:

It takes about seven days for a bill to be mailed after the vehicle crosses the bridge. After that, you have 15 days to pay the toll. If the bill isn't paid 30 days after it was issued, the state will send a second bill with an extra $5 tacked on, said Craig Stone, Toll Division director for the state Department of Transportation.

If you ignore the second bill and 80 days elapse, then you'll be issued a $40 notice of civil penalty, which is like a parking ticket. You can pay or appeal the penalty to an administrative law judge, Stone said. If you ignore the penalty, the Department of Licensing will put a hold on your registration, meaning you couldn't renew your tabs until the fine is paid.

For out-of-state plates, WSDOT will send delinquent bills to collections, Stone said.

For drivers without an electronic Good to Go! pass, the system photographs their license plate and sends a bill in the mail. But that costs $1.50 extra for processing. For commuters with Good to Go! passes, they will pay $3.50 during peak hours while those without will pay $5.

Question:

Can I dodge the toll cameras by speeding?

Answer:

Not likely. The state's contract with the company that runs the camera system guarantees the cameras can capture vehicle license plates up to 100 mph, Stone said.

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