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.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

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.

[angelita8]

on 3/24/2009 Once on the SF/Oakland Bay Bridge, I was surprised to discover I didn't have my toll money. I offered to pay by check but was turned down. This awesome toll booth lady instead said she'd pay my toll. When I asked her if I could send the money to her to repay her, she told me to forget about it and just pay it forward.A few days later I bought strawberries from a disheartened-looking Mexican man on a street corner and gave him the equivalent of the toll money as a tip.

[jvsering]

on 1/29/2009 this normally does not work. most of the time, they will tell you to just drive off and an automatic picture of your license plate/car is taken. you will then receive a ticket for $35 plus the $4-$5 toll (SF Bay Bridge/Golden Gate Bridge/Richmond Bridge). it used to be the case that they take your license plate down but now that they're equipped with cameras and hate having to walk out of their booth, they'll just do what i just explained.

[jessmotron]

on 1/29/2009 I drove for 5 hours down the PA Turnpike after accidentally passing through the EZ-Pass lane in heavy traffic, rendering me without a ticket when I finally arrived at my exit. They basically did the same thing, because if they don't know where you started from, they have to charge the maximum toll amount, which I didn't have. The biggest thing is to take it from Douglas Adams and DON'T PANIC!!

on 6/30/2006 Always keep a little slush fund in your vehicle. Due to Fastrak equipment/ATCAS malfunctions, always ask for a receipt. Fastrak owners, check your statements regularly. Mistakes can occur.

on 6/30/2006 Always keep some spare change in the ash-tray or glove compartment then if you find yourself stuck for cash; problem solved. Remember to replace the change as soon as possible though.