Veteran Discount Tolling Program

Apr 13, 2010

TO ALL: Good information to pass on to all our customers about state benefits for our veterans with qualifying specialty license plates for any of the following:

Disabled Veterans
Purple Heart Medal recipients
Medal of Honor recipients

Effective December 18, 2009, eligible veterans receive free tolls.

The HCTRA Veteran Discount Tolling Program was approved by Harris County Commissioners Court on September 29, 2009.

Frequently Asked Questions – Veteran Discount Tolling

What is the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) Veteran Discount Tolling Program?

Effective December 18, 2009, eligible veterans receive free tolls.

The HCTRA Veteran Discount Tolling Program was approved by Harris County Commissioners Court on September 29, 2009.

Per Texas Transportation Code § 372.053, eligibility is limited to vehicles which are:

1. registered with the State of Texas and

2. displaying the qualifying specialty license plate for any of the following:

· Disabled Veterans

· Purple Heart Medal recipients

· Medal of Honor recipients

Vehicles which are not eligible are required to pay the applicable toll.

NOTE: To see examples of qualifying Texas license plates please visit www.texasonline.gov and choose "Order Specialty License Plates" then "Specialty License Plates."

Are there certain toll lanes I must use?

Yes.

If your eligible vehicle has an EZ TAG backed by an active EZ TAG Account, you may use any EZ TAG lane on the Harris County or Fort Bend County toll road system. Toll Collector attended lanes will require cash payment.

If your eligible vehicle does NOT have an EZ TAG backed by an active EZ TAG Account, your vehicle must use a non-gated EZ TAG lane on the Harris County or Fort Bend County toll road system. Drivers will be electronically identified by their qualified specialty license plate. Gated and Toll Collector attended lanes will require a cash payment.

Do I need an EZ TAG to be eligible for the HCTRA Veteran Discount Tolling Program?

No, an EZ TAG is not required for participation in the HCTRA Veteran Discount Tolling Program, but a vehicle with an EZ TAG will have greater access to the Harris County and Fort Bend County toll road system.

Get an EZ TAG.

How do I participate in the HCTRA Veteran Discount Tolling Program?

Eligible vehicles will automatically receive the discounted tolling rate in qualified tolling lanes (EZ TAG Only lanes). No additional action, purchase, or enrollment is required.

Per Texas Transportation Code § 372.053, eligibility is limited to vehicles which are:

1. registered with the State of Texas and

2. displaying the qualifying specialty license plate for any of the following:

· Disabled Veterans

· Purple Heart Medal recipients

· Medal of Honor recipients

Vehicles which are not eligible are required to pay the applicable toll.

NOTE: To see examples of qualifying Texas license plates please visit http://www.texasonline.gov/ and choose "Order Specialty License Plates" then "Specialty License Plates."

I am a veteran with a disability. Am I eligible for the HCTRA Veteran Discount Tolling Program?

Per Texas Transportation Code § 372.053, eligibility is limited to vehicles which are:

1. registered with the State of Texas and

2. displaying the qualifying specialty license plate for any of the following:

· Disabled Veterans

· Purple Heart Medal recipients

· Medal of Honor recipients

Vehicles which are not eligible are required to pay the applicable toll.

NOTE: To see examples of qualifying Texas license plates please visit www.texasonline.gov and choose "Order Specialty License Plates" then "Specialty License Plates."

If I used a Harris County or Fort Bend County toll road prior to December 18, 2009, do I have to pay those tolls?

Yes. Tolls incurred before the program's implementation date of December 18, 2009 require full toll payment. Failure to pay a toll will result in a Violation Invoice. A Violation Invoice requires payment of the toll violation event plus toll violation administrative and attorney fees.

What if I am a veteran with a qualifying license plate, pulling a trailer?

If you have a qualifying license plate and received a violation notice because you were pulling a trailer, you will be required to complete an affidavit. The affidavit will attest that the trailer's license plate number that is reflected on the invoice was being pulled by 1) a vehicle registered with a qualifying specialty license plate, or 2) a vehicle registered to a Medal of Honor recipient. Once HCTRA's Customer Service Department receives your affidavit, the violation invoice will be closed and our records will be amended.

What if I don’t have a qualifying veteran’s license plate?

Vehicles which are not eligible are required to pay the applicable toll.

Per Texas Transportation Code § 372.053, eligibility is limited to vehicles which are:

1. registered with the State of Texas and

2. displaying the qualifying specialty license plate for any of the following:

· Disabled Veterans

· Purple Heart Medal recipients

· Medal of Honor recipients

Vehicles which are not eligible are required to pay the applicable toll.

NOTE: To see examples of qualifying Texas license plates please visit www.texasonline.gov and choose "Order Specialty License Plates" then "Specialty License Plates."

What if I’m a veteran with multiple cars – are all of my cars eligible? What about my spouse’s car?

Per Texas Transportation Code § 372.053, eligibility is limited to vehicles which are:

1. registered with the State of Texas and

2. displaying the qualifying specialty license plate for any of the following:

· Disabled Veterans

· Purple Heart Medal recipients

· Medal of Honor recipients

Vehicles which are not eligible are required to pay the applicable toll.

NOTE: To see examples of qualifying Texas license plates please visit www.texasonline.gov and choose "Order Specialty License Plates" then "Specialty License Plates."

What is Texas Transportation Code § 372.053?

Texas Transportation Code § 372.053, adopted by the State of Texas during the 2009 Texas Legislative Session, authorizes Texas tolling entities to offer discounted or free tolls to Texas-registered vehicles with qualifying specialty license plates for Disabled Veterans, Purple Heart recipients, and Medal of Honor recipients.

Where does the HCTRA Veteran Discount Tolling Program apply?

The HCTRA Veteran Discount Tolling Program applies only to toll roads within Harris and Fort Bend Counties.

Each tolling entity may choose if and how they implement Texas Transportation Code § 372.053. Please check with other tolling agencies directly for questions about their policies and programs.

Who is eligible for the HCTRA Veteran Discount Tolling Program?

Shortcut to: https://www.hctra.org/about_faq/veteran-discount-tolling/