Driving on toll roads offers convenience, but managing your account and associated vehicles can be confusing. This guide focuses on how to handle toll payments in Washington State, specifically addressing situations where you might need to remove a vehicle from your Good To Go! account. While directly removing a car from a toll road isn’t possible, managing your Good To Go! account correctly ensures you’re not charged for tolls on a vehicle you no longer own or use on toll roads.
Managing Your Good To Go! Account and Vehicles
Good To Go! is Washington’s electronic toll collection system. Having an account offers discounted rates and automated payments, making toll road travel hassle-free. Understanding account management is key to avoiding unnecessary charges.
Account Types and Payment Options
Good To Go! offers two primary account types:
- Pre-Paid: Requires a $30 initial balance that automatically refills via credit card or electronic check.
- Pay As You Go: No pre-paid balance is needed; tolls are charged to your credit card twice monthly.
Both options provide the same discounted toll rates. Choosing the right option depends on your individual needs and toll road usage frequency.
Adding and Removing Vehicles
While you can’t remove a car directly from a physical toll road, you can update your Good To Go! account to reflect changes in vehicle ownership or usage:
- Updating Vehicle Information: Access your Good To Go! account online at MyGoodToGo.com. You can add or remove vehicles associated with your account, ensuring only the correct vehicles are billed for toll usage.
- Selling or Transferring a Vehicle: When selling or transferring a vehicle, promptly remove it from your Good To Go! account. This prevents future toll charges from being applied to your account for that vehicle. File a Report of Sale with the Department of Licensing to officially document the transfer.
- Disputing Charges: If you receive a toll bill for a vehicle you no longer own, you can dispute the charge online at MyGoodToGo.com. Provide supporting documentation, such as a Report of Sale, to validate your claim.
Handling Toll Bills and Disputes
Understanding how to manage toll bills and disputes is crucial for avoiding penalties:
Paying Without an Account:
Driving on a toll road without a Good To Go! account results in a license plate photo being taken. A bill is then mailed to the registered owner’s address. This “Pay By Mail” option incurs a higher toll rate.
Addressing Incorrect Charges:
Several scenarios might lead to needing to dispute a toll charge:
- Incorrect Vehicle Association: You’re billed for a vehicle you don’t own or that wasn’t on the toll road.
- Stolen Vehicle or License Plate: Report the theft to law enforcement and provide the police report to Good To Go!.
- Deceased Owner: Provide a death certificate to Good To Go! to resolve outstanding tolls for a deceased owner.
Always gather necessary documentation, such as police reports, sales records, or death certificates, when disputing charges.
Good To Go! Passes and Their Role
While not directly related to removing a car from a toll road, Good To Go! passes offer further savings:
- Pass Types: Several pass types cater to different needs, including sticker passes, Flex Passes for carpooling, motorcycle passes, and license plate passes for vehicles with specialized windshields.
- Pass Benefits: Passes offer the lowest toll rates and eliminate the 25-cent surcharge applied to each trip without a pass.
Conclusion: Managing Your Toll Road Experience
Effectively managing your Good To Go! account is essential for a smooth toll road experience. By understanding how to update vehicle information, handle toll bills, and utilize the dispute process, you can avoid unnecessary charges and ensure accurate billing. Remember to update your account promptly when changes in vehicle ownership occur. Visit MyGoodToGo.com for comprehensive information and account management tools.
