How to Dispute a GWB Toll Charge
Submit within 60 days via the Port Authority Tolls by Mail website. Free, no court appearance required.
Verified 21 May 2026 | Source: Port Authority of NY and NJ
Common Reasons to Dispute
- You had E-ZPass at the time but were billed Toll-by-Mail anyway (transponder read failure, account issue, mounting problem).
- Wrong vehicle photographed (license plate misread, stolen plate, similar plate).
- Vehicle sold or scrapped before the crossing date (provide sale receipt or scrappage certificate).
- Vehicle stolen at the time of crossing (provide police report).
- Rental vehicle billed to wrong party (rental company should bill renter, not vehicle owner).
- Duplicate charge for the same crossing.
- Mid-Tier $19.55 charge when you have a functioning NY/NJ E-ZPass mounted correctly.
- Wrong rate applied (peak rate charged during off-peak hours).
Step-by-Step Dispute Process
Step 1: Gather Documentation
Before submitting, collect everything that supports your case:
- The original Toll-by-Mail invoice (bill reference number, date, amount)
- E-ZPass account number and statement covering the crossing date
- Vehicle registration and title (to prove ownership)
- Sale receipt or police report (if applicable)
- Photographs of your vehicle showing the license plate (to compare against the camera image on the invoice)
- Any correspondence with E-ZPass agency, rental company, or insurer
Step 2: Submit the Dispute
Visit the Port Authority Tolls by Mail website. The bill invoice will indicate whether it was issued by Tolls by Mail NY (tollsbymailny.com) or Tolls by Mail NJ (tollsbymailnj.com), depending on the registered state of the vehicle. Both systems accept disputes online.
Enter the bill reference number, your vehicle information, the dispute reason, and upload any supporting documents. The system generates a confirmation number. Save it.
Alternatively, submit by mail. Send a written dispute letter to the Tolls by Mail Service Center address printed on the invoice. Include copies (not originals) of all evidence. Send by certified mail with return receipt to confirm delivery.
Step 3: Wait for Response
The Port Authority responds within 30 to 60 days. The response will either: (1) credit the disputed charge in full, (2) reduce the charge (e.g. apply the E-ZPass rate retroactively), or (3) deny the dispute with reasons.
If your dispute is granted, no further action is needed. The invoice is closed. If it is denied, you have the option to appeal or pay the bill. Continuing to ignore a denied dispute results in late fees and eventually a registration hold.
Late Fees and Escalation Timeline
If a Toll-by-Mail bill is not paid or successfully disputed within 30 days of the original invoice, a $5 late fee is added. After 60 days, a Notice of Liability is sent with an additional $50 administrative fee. After 90 days, the matter is referred to a collections agency and can be reported to the DMV for a registration hold.
For a single $23.30 GWB toll, the worst-case escalated bill is approximately $80 ($23.30 + $5 + $50 + collection fees). For frequent crossings without E-ZPass, fees can accumulate quickly. The dispute process is the right route if the bill is genuinely wrong; the payment process (with E-ZPass enrollment to prevent future charges) is the right route if the bill is correct.
If Disputed and Denied: Pay or Appeal
If the Port Authority denies your dispute, you have three options:
- Pay the bill: this is the simplest route and avoids further fees. Pay online via the Tolls by Mail website or by mail.
- Submit an appeal: the denial letter will include appeal instructions. Appeals are reviewed by a different reviewer and may take another 30 to 60 days.
- Request a hearing: in some cases, you can request an administrative hearing before a neutral hearing officer. This is rare for small toll disputes but is an option for larger or more complex cases.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispute a GWB Toll-by-Mail charge?
Submit a dispute through the Port Authority Tolls by Mail website or by mail within 60 days of the invoice date. Provide the bill reference number, vehicle information, the reason you are disputing (e.g. wrong vehicle, vehicle sold before the crossing, you had an E-ZPass at the time, duplicate charge), and any evidence (E-ZPass statement, vehicle sale documents, photographs). The Port Authority responds within 30 to 60 days.
What is the deadline to dispute a GWB toll bill?
You have 60 days from the date of the original Toll-by-Mail invoice to submit a dispute. After 60 days, late fees begin to accrue and the dispute window may close. If you receive a Notice of Liability (the second-stage bill after the original invoice is unpaid), you have an additional 30 days to dispute from the Notice date.
Can I dispute a GWB toll if I had E-ZPass at the time?
Yes. If you have an active E-ZPass account and the GWB toll was charged via Toll-by-Mail instead, that is one of the most common dispute grounds. Submit your E-ZPass account number, statement showing the account was active and funded on the crossing date, and proof the transponder was in the vehicle. The Port Authority typically credits the Toll-by-Mail charge and bills your E-ZPass account at the discounted E-ZPass rate.
What if the wrong vehicle was billed?
Submit evidence of the actual vehicle that crossed the bridge. The camera image shown on the invoice should match your vehicle. If it does not (different make/model, different plate, different state), provide your vehicle registration showing it was a different vehicle. If your vehicle was sold or stolen before the crossing date, provide the sale receipt or police report.
Where do I send a GWB toll dispute?
Submit online at the Port Authority Tolls by Mail website (tollsbymailnj.com or tollsbymailny.com depending on which state issued your bill), or by mail to the Port Authority Tolls by Mail Service Center address on the invoice. Phone disputes are accepted at the customer service number on the invoice but written disputes are recommended because they create a paper trail.