How a $2 Toll Becomes a $500 Court Case
Orlando Toll Violation Defense: What You Need to Know
That $2 toll you forgot about? It could cost you hundreds. Here's how toll violations escalate in Florida and how an attorney can help.
Got Toll Violations? Call 407-500-70001000+ Toll Cases Handled
Vast Majority Dismissed
We've helped hundreds of people with their toll violations. We know how to fight them.
How Toll Violations Spiral Out of Control
You're driving on the 408, the turnpike, or one of Central Florida's many toll roads. Your transponder doesn't beep. You don't think twice about it. Months later, you receive a notice from the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) that you owe hundreds of dollars, and if you don't pay, you'll have to appear in court.
This scenario plays out thousands of times every year in Orange County. The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) aggressively pursues unpaid tolls, and the penalties add up fast.
The Real Cost of a Missed Toll:
A $2 toll can become $100+ per violation after fees, late charges, and court costs are added. Many clients come to us with 10, 15, or 20+ violations. That's potentially thousands of dollars.
The Toll Violation Timeline
Understanding how toll violations escalate helps explain why so many people end up in court over what started as a few dollars:
Step 1: The Missed Toll ($1-3)
Your transponder doesn't read, you don't have cash, or you use the wrong lane. The original toll is typically just a few dollars.
Step 2: First Notice (+$25)
CFX mails a Toll Enforcement Invoice to the registered owner. Administrative fees are added. Many people never receive this because they've moved or the address on file is outdated.
Step 3: Second Notice (+More Fees)
Additional late fees and administrative charges accumulate. The balance grows.
Step 4: Uniform Traffic Citation (UTC)
Your case is referred to the Orange County Clerk. A traffic citation is issued under F.S. 316.1001. Now it's a court case.
Step 5: Court Costs Added ($100+)
Court costs, additional fees, and potential fines bring each violation to $100 or more. Multiply by the number of violations you have.
Why Good People End Up With Toll Violations
Most of our toll violation clients aren't trying to skip out on tolls. They're caught in situations beyond their control:
Rental Cars
You rent a car, tolls get billed through the rental company's system, and something goes wrong. The violation ends up on someone else's record, or fees are charged incorrectly.
Sold Vehicles
You sold your car, but the buyer never transferred the title. Tolls they incur get billed to you as the registered owner. This is extremely common.
Transponder Malfunctions
Your transponder battery dies, your E-PASS account runs out of funds, or the toll gantry doesn't read your pass. Technology fails more often than you'd think.
Address Changes
You moved and never received the notices. By the time you find out, the case is already in court with months of accumulated fees.
Florida Toll Violation Law: F.S. 316.1001
Under Florida Statute 316.1001, failure to pay a toll is a noncriminal traffic infraction. This means it won't result in jail time, but it does carry real consequences:
- Fine of up to $100 per violation
- Court costs and administrative fees on top of fines
- Potential driver's license suspension for unpaid fines
- Collections action affecting your credit
The statute allows toll authorities to pursue violations aggressively, and they do. CFX processes thousands of citations through Orange County every year.
How a Toll Violation Lawyer Can Help
When you appear in toll court without an attorney, you're typically expected to pay everything: all tolls, all fees, all court costs. The process moves quickly, and there's little opportunity to negotiate.
An experienced attorney changes that dynamic. Here's what we do:
Our Defense Strategies:
- Consolidate multiple violations - Negotiate one reasonable payment instead of full fines on every citation
- Challenge notice requirements - Did CFX mail notices to the correct address? Were proper procedures followed?
- Dispute the evidence - Photos don't always clearly identify the vehicle or plate
- Negotiate dismissals - Pay one toll, dismiss the rest. This is our most common outcome.
- Arrange payment plans - For clients who can't pay a lump sum
Our typical result: the client pays a fraction of what they would have owed, and most citations are dismissed. Historically, the vast majority of the toll cases we handle result in dismissal.
What to Do If You Have Toll Violations
- Don't ignore it. The problem only gets worse. More fees accumulate, and eventually your license could be suspended.
- Gather your documents. Any notices you received, proof of address changes, vehicle sale paperwork, rental agreements, or E-PASS account records can help your case.
- Check your court date. Missing your hearing can result in additional penalties and a warrant.
- Contact an attorney. A free consultation can help you understand your options before your court date.
Facing Toll Violations in Orlando?
With 1000+ toll cases handled and a track record of getting the vast majority dismissed, we know how to fight toll violations. Don't pay full price when negotiation is possible.
Call 407-500-7000 for a Free ConsultationWe handle toll cases in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and surrounding counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go to jail for unpaid tolls?
No. Under F.S. 316.1001, toll violations are noncriminal traffic infractions. You cannot be jailed, but you can face fines, court costs, license suspension, and collections action.
What if I sold my car and the new owner ran up tolls?
This is one of the most common situations we handle. With proper documentation of the sale, we can often get the violations dismissed since you weren't the driver.
How much does a toll violation lawyer cost?
We offer free consultations to review your case. Attorney fees are often less than what you'd pay in fines and court costs without representation, especially with multiple violations.
Related Articles
About the Author
Jeff Lotter is a criminal defense and traffic attorney in Orlando, Florida. As a former Florida Highway Patrol Trooper and Orange County Deputy Sheriff, he understands how traffic cases are built and how to defend against them. His firm has handled over 1000 toll violation cases in Central Florida.