How to Cross a Toll Bridge Without Money

It's almost as easy as it sounds - just don't try it too often! Take it from a San Francisco Bay Area resident who happened to forget his wallet one fine morning.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Cars
• Commuter Passes

1. Avoid panicking. When you realize that you forgot your purse or wallet or that you're out of cash, it's OK - keep driving!
2. Pull up to the tollbooth just as you usually do.
3. Look the tollbooth operator squarely in the eye and, using your most "I'm really, really sorry" look, explain your situation clearly and quickly.
4. Wait while the tollbooth operator exits the booth and approaches the front of your vehicle, writing down your license plate number.
5. Ignore the honks and catcalls behind you.
6. Wait while the tollbooth operator returns to the booth and hands you a "no funds vehicle" slip, along with an envelope.
7. Thank the operator, take the slip and envelope, and hit the gas.
8. Enclose the proper toll, along with the slip, in the envelope provided and mail it to the address on the front of the envelope.

Tips & Warnings

• These guidelines apply to most toll bridges in the greater San Francisco Bay Area (the Golden Gate is an exception).
• You can try bringing the slip and toll amount in the proper envelope to a tollbooth operator, although some may not accept it.
• Be courteous to the tollbooth operator. This person is not the cause of your problem and can certainly help you.
• You may want to consider buying commuter passes to keep in your car for emergencies.
• Try taking public transportation.
• Repeat offenders may not be given this courtesy after too many offenses.
• Avoid the carpool lane if you're by yourself. The fee for misusing this lane is much larger than the toll.