Habitual Violators Program
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority and other tolling authorities throughout the state have additional tools to respond to Habitual Violators as a result of legislation enacted in 2014, which encourages equitable payment by all customers. As part of that law, Habitual Violators who have already ignored multiple requests for payment may be subject to additional enforcement remedies up to and including vehicle registration renewal blocks and being banned from Mobility Authority toll roads. Costs for enforcement of this program come from the Mobility Authority’s toll road revenue, not tax dollars.
A Habitual Violator is defined in Section 372.106(a) of the Texas Transportation Code as (A) one who was issued at least two written notices of nonpayment that contained in aggregate 100 or more events of nonpayment within a period of one year and, (B) was issued a warning that failure to pay the amounts specified in the notices may result in the toll project entity’s exercise of Habitual Violator remedies.
To encourage equitable payment by all customers, legislation allows for enforcement remedies up to and including vehicle registration renewal blocks, prohibiting Habitual Violator’s vehicles on Mobility Authority roadways, on-road enforcement of the vehicle ban, as well as posting names to the agency website of those Habitual Violators with banned vehicles. The Mobility Authority will be implementing these remedies beginning November 2019.
Habitual Violators are provided due process protections prior to any enforcement action.
- A registered vehicle owner who the Mobility Authority determines meets the Habitual Violator status is sent a letter advising them that Habitual Violator remedies may be implemented if the customer’s outstanding balance is not resolved. This letter is not required by law but is sent as a courtesy to reflect the Mobility Authority’s commitment to the customer.
- A registered vehicle owner who the Mobility Authority determines to be a Habitual Violator receives written notice of that determination and an opportunity for a justice of the peace hearing to challenge their Habitual Violator status.
- Habitual Violator Determination is FINAL if no action is taken, prompting the Mobility Authority to send a Vehicle Registration Block Notice and/or a Vehicle Ban Notice. These notices urge the Habitual Violator yet again to resolve their toll debt with the Mobility Authority.
- Sufficient time is provided to respond to all notifications.
You can pay outstanding tolls and administrative fees with cash, money order or credit card (a payment plan may be available) by: calling the Mobility Authority Customer Service Center at 512-410-0562, online at www.paymobilitybill.com, or in person at our walk-up center.
A Habitual Violator who has accrued 100 or more unpaid tolls and who has been issued two notices of nonpayment within a year is subject to a vehicle registration block.
The vehicle registration block and other toll enforcement actions are intended to encourage tollway drivers to pay for services rendered to ensure fairness to the overwhelming majority of drivers who pay for the service, maintenance and safety of the toll roads.
A notification letter announcing that a person has met the criteria of Habitual Violator is sent to the address in the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TTC 372.106) database, allowing 30 days to contact to dispute their determination as a Habitual Violator or address the account balance before remedies are applied. If the Habitual Violator does not make arrangements with the Mobility Authority during this period, they will be subject to all enforcement remedies. Additionally, notification of a registration renewal block is mailed.
Once a person has been determined to be a Habitual Violator under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 372, Habitual Violators are given an opportunity to dispute their determination as a Habitual Violator and/or request an administrative hearing with a justice of the peace before a block is placed on a vehicle registration. If an individual is finally determined to be a Habitual Violator, the vehicle’s registered owner(s) information will be transmitted to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for refusal of registration until all tolls and fees have been resolved with the Mobility Authority.
The vehicle registration block will remain in effect until 25% of all tolls and fees have been resolved with the Mobility Authority.
Registration renewal block lifts can take 24 hours to process. Furthermore, Mobility Authority Customer Service will provide a receipt/proof of payment to you and/or the tax office, at your request, so that your vehicle registration may occur on the same or next business day.
No, the Mobility Authority is responsible for toll collections.
You can pay outstanding tolls and administrative fees with cash, money order or credit card (a payment plan may be available) by: calling the Mobility Authority Customer Service Center at 512-410-0562, online at www.paymobilitybill.com, or in person at our walk-up center. A receipt confirming sufficient payment of your balance may be mailed and/or emailed to you and a request to lift the registration renewal block will be sent to the Texas DMV within 24 hours.
Yes. You may contact the Mobility Authority to review all outstanding tolls and fees, correct any errors and arrange for payment to clear your status as a Habitual Violator and the block on your registration. Habitual Violators are also given an opportunity to request an administrative hearing with a justice of the peace before a block is placed on a vehicle registration.
No, payments are made to the Mobility Authority by calling our customer service center at (512) 410-0562.
If a person is the registered owner of the vehicle at the time of the violation(s), he or she is still responsible for paying all tolls and fees with the Mobility Authority.
A Habitual Violator who has accrued 100 or more unpaid tolls and who has been issued two notices of nonpayment within a year is subject to a vehicle ban.
Vehicle prohibition and other toll enforcement actions are intended to prompt payment for services rendered and to ensure fairness to the overwhelming majority of drivers who pay for the service, maintenance and safety of the toll roads. The Habitual Violator legislation will help ensure that the millions of Mobility Authority customers who pay for the service are not forced to shoulder the costs of the small percentage that chooses to ignore the rules.
Vehicle prohibitions began November 2019.
Habitual violators subject to vehicle ban will receive notification that they have been banned, including when the ban will take effect and instructions for how to remove their status as a Habitual Violator.
Habitual Violators are provided due process protections prior to any enforcement action.
- First, a registered vehicle owner who the Mobility Authority determines meets the Habitual Violator status is sent a letter advising them that Habitual Violator remedies may be implemented if the customer’s outstanding balance is not resolved. This letter is not required by law but is sent as a courtesy to reflect the Mobility Authority’s commitment to the customer.
- Second, a registered vehicle owner who the Mobility Authority determines to be a Habitual Violator receives written notice of that determination and an opportunity for a justice of the peace hearing to challenge their Habitual Violator status.
- Third, once a person is finally determined to be a Habitual Violator, the Mobility Authority must provide them with a Ban Notice warning them that their vehicle will be subject to the vehicle ban. This notice gives the Habitual Violator yet another opportunity to resolve their toll debt with the Mobility Authority.
- Fourth, sufficient time is provided to respond to all notifications. A Habitual Violator’s vehicle will only be prohibited if they fail to resolve their unpaid balance within that time.
The vehicle ban will remain in effect until 75% of all tolls and administrative fees have been paid or a payment plan with the required down payment has been established with the Mobility Authority.
Yes. You may contact the Mobility Authority to review all outstanding tolls and administrative fees, correct any errors and arrange for payment to clear your status as a Habitual Violator and remove the vehicle ban.
The vehicle ban applies to the vehicle of a registered owner who has been determined to be a Habitual Violator.
In most cases, the ban will be removed within 1 business day.
A person commits an offense when operating a vehicle in violation of the ban and is subject to a Class C misdemeanor with a fine up to $500. A second or subsequent occurrence of driving on the tollway in violation of a ban may result in impoundment of the vehicle.
Mobility Authority roads are equipped with technology that recognizes vehicle and license plates on our prohibited list. Individuals operating a prohibited vehicle on Mobility Authority roads will be reported to nearby law enforcement patrolling Mobility Authority roads.
Vehicle impoundment is up to law enforcement’s discretion. If your vehicle is impounded, law enforcement will provide you with information on how to retrieve your vehicle.
Pay outstanding tolls and administrative fees with cash, money order or credit card (a payment plan may be available) by: calling the Mobility Authority Customer Service Center at 512-410-0562, online at www.paymobilitybill.com, or in person at our walk-up center.
In addition to the vehicle ban, Habitual Violators could face any of the following penalties if they remain in Habitual Violator status:
- Vehicle registration block
- Failure to Pay Toll Offense - Class C misdemeanor with a fine of up to $250 per unpaid toll transaction
Penn Credit is a collection agency for the Mobility Authority for transactions that took place on or after 11/18/2018. Penn Credit can assist you with questions related to your collection balance, however you could still owe tolls that have not aged to collections. We recommend you contact our customer service center at (512) 410-6321 for assistance with your total balance.