Dulles Toll Road To Start Electronic-Only Tolling In 2021

VIENNA, VA — The Dulles Toll Road will eliminate cash toll payments as an option in 2021. The Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority, which manages the toll road, said it will accept only electronic payments starting on Jan. 1, 2021.

The toll road, which stretches from just west of the Capital Beltway to Dulles International Airport, previously offered cash payments during tooth booth hours and exact change coin payments from 9:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Manual toll collecting was suspended on April 6 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that change to electronic-only payments will become permanent.

According to a statement from the airport authority, the change is in response to customers’ preference for electronic payments. Loose change will no longer be accepted, and tollbooth change baskets will be removed.

Drivers have several options for paying tolls electronically. A valid E-ZPass transponder may be used. Even if a transponder is not present or read correctly, toll lane cameras can identify a license plate associated with an E-Z Pass account and charge the account.

Virginia residents can visit the E-ZPass Virginia for information on obtaining an E-Z Pass. The minimum opening account balance has been temporarily reduced from $35 to $20 per transponder for online and phone applications. In addition, a reloadable Virginia E-Z Pass Card can be purchased at CVS Pharmacy and 7-Eleven stores.

Aside from E-Z Pass, other accepted payment options are through the GoToll, Slora and Peasey Drive On smartphone apps.

Drivers who pass through toll lane plazas without E-Z Pass or another accepted electronic payment will be sent a payment notice by mail. Missed tolls are charged an administrative fee if not paid within six days of the violation. The Virginia Department of Transportation has an online toll violation payment website for information on paying missed tolls.

Dulles Toll Road joins other Northern Virginia tolled roads like the Interstate 95, 395 and 45 Express Lanes in operating cashless tolling. Dulles Greenway, the toll road connected to Dulles Toll Road extending from Dulles International Airport to Leesburg, typically accepts cash during limited hours but temporarily suspended manual toll collection due to the pandemic.