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Tollway : I-PASS : Using I-PASS : I-PASS 101

I-PASS 101

Learning to Use I-PASS

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There are some important things to remember when owning and using an I-PASS from the Illinois Tollway. Below is some helpful information about starting your account and using I-PASS on the road. Other helpful information can be found in the FAQs, Customer Service and On the Road sections of this site.

Activating Your Account

If your transponder came in a retail box, you must activate it before you use it on the Tollway.

  • Activate Online
  • Activate by Phone: 1-800-926-6500
    • Weekdays: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
    • Weekends: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

To activate your account you will need:

  • Serial number and activation code from the sticker on the transponder
  • License plate number and plate type for each vehicle using the I-PASS
  • Year, make, model, and color of each vehicle using the I-PASS
  • Driver’s license number of the I-PASS account holder
  • The credit/debit card information to register for Auto-Replenishment (optional)

Maintaining Your Balance

It is important to maintain a positive balance in your I-PASS account so that it is not invalidated. Accounts with insufficient funds will become invalidated and are subject to receive a violation for non-payment of tolls if I-PASS lanes continue to be used. If your account has been invalidated, you will be required to pay the cash rate at the tollbooths and baskets.

Auto-Replenishment

  • Auto-Replenishment is the easiest way to ensure a positive account balance. When you enroll in the Auto-Replenishment Program, you pre-authorize the Tollway to charge your credit or debit card (minimum $40) each time your I-PASS balance drops below the minimum-balance threshold.
  • Your minimum-balance threshold is 10% of your average monthly usage ($10 minimum.)
  • Auto-Replenish rates are calculated on the first of each month based on the previous average usage ($40 minimum.)
  • As an incentive to join the Auto-Replenishment Program, we offer a reduced deposit rate from $20 to $10.
  • If you have more than one transponder on your account, the balances will be consolidated into one balance. Each transponder will draw from this Shared Balance.
  • Remember to update your I-PASS account if your Credit or Debit Card information changes or expires.

Shared Balance

Shared Balance allows families or businesses that have more than one transponder to consolidate all Transponders to one I-PASS account – “sharing” the same pool of funds. There is no longer a need to maintain multiple $40 balances for each separate I-PASS transponder.

Minimum low balance and auto-replenish amounts are based on average monthly usage. Monitor individual transponder transactions through the online account history feature or by registering for printed monthly statements.

Shared Balance makes managing your account easier. The usage-based replenishment means less frequent charges to your credit card. Meaning more convenience for you. Shared Balance is a system-wide initiative for all pre-paid I-PASS customers, you cannot opt out of this feature.

Shared Balance Accounts Amounts are recalculated each month based on the average usage totals for the previous 6 months. Most accounts will continue to replenish at the standard minimum of $40. High usage accounts (fewer then 5% of all I-PASS Accounts) will replenish at greater amounts.

Please Note: If you have requested a fixed replenishment rate on your Shared Balance account, you will not be impacted by the recalculation.

Read FAQs about Account Replenishment

How vTolls Work

Video-Recorded Tolls (vTolls) are tolls we were unable to deduct from your account at the time of the attempted toll transaction, usually due to a missing, improperly mounted, or an inactive (dead battery) transponder.

A photo of the attempted transaction is later matched to the license plate(s) registered to your I-PASS account. The toll payment is then deducted from your account as a Video-Recorded Toll (vToll) rather than processing the incident as a toll violation.

Over the next few months, some I-PASS customers may notice transactions from 2006 posted to their accounts as vTolls. The processing of these tolls was delayed while we brought new hardware and software systems online to deliver enhanced customer service to our I-PASS users. Please be aware that these tolls will draw from your account balance which may trigger your account to auto-replenish or reach the low balance before you expect.

To prevent future vTolls and avoid additional fees, please:

  • Register all vehicles & license plates using the I-PASS
  • Properly mount your I-PASS
  • Regularly check your account balance
  • Update credit card information & expiration dates if you auto-replenish
  • Periodically review account transactions to ensure that your transponder is functioning

How tTolls Work

“Transponder Tolls” or tTolls is an unpaid toll that occurs when your transponder is not valid at the time of the transaction. This unpaid toll will usually occur if your account has insufficient funds at the time of the attempted transaction. The I-PASS system attempts to process the payment for these unpaid tolls several times over the next seven days after the attempted transaction. If the toll remains unpaid in that period it may result in a violation and fees.

Over the next few months, some I-PASS customers may notice transactions from 2006 posted to their accounts as tTolls. The processing of these tolls was delayed while we brought new hardware and software systems online to deliver enhanced customer service to our I-PASS users. Please be aware that these tolls will draw from your account balance which may trigger your account to auto-replenish or reach the low balance before you expect.

Manual Replenishment

  • You can also replenish your balance by check or cash:
    • Purchase I-PASS Gift Cards
    • Pay in Person at one of our Service Centers
    • Send a Check in the Mail

Visit the Commercial Vehicle Rates page for more information about specific rates and how tolls are calculated.

Complete Listing of Rates by Toll Plaza

Updating Your Account Information

You must register all vehicles using the transponder to the I-PASS account.

  • An unregistered vehicle is subject to violation and fine if the toll transaction is unsuccessful in an I-PASS lane.

Specify license plate type for ALL vehicles authorized to use the transponder.

  • Your license plate type and number differentiate your vehicle from the others on the road. It is important that you fully and accurately register your plate information on your account.
  • Symbols, phrases, and small characters on specialty plates are not part of the license plate number e.g. The small “E” that appears on the Environmental Specialty Plate.

Login to your account now or Visit the Customer Service page for more information about how to update your account.

Generate I-PASS Account History Reports

I-PASS users can generate account history reports such as, monthly or quarterly statements, year-end reports, tax documentation, and expense reports. The process is simple. Watch our video to find more on our three report options: Payment/Adjustment History, Account Summary and Account Downloads.

Printable instructions detailing I-PASS Account Statements.
Login to your IPASS account...

Mount Your Transponder

Ensure a successful transaction, Mount your transponder correctly

  • Before the transaction takes place, the transponder is activated on the approach to the plaza. If you wait until the last minute to find your transponder or hold it in your window, this may interfere with the transaction. The Dual Lock mounting strips are removable and do not leave a residue on your window, please use them.
  • A very small percentage, less than 1 percent, of vehicles have windshields or systems that interfere with transactions using the windshield-mounted transponder (sample list of vehicles.) In this case, a License Plate Tag (LPT) which mounts on the front bumper of your vehicle is available for the same price as a standard transponder. Refer to the Customer Service chart for more information about obtaining an LPT.

Unsuccessful I-PASS transactions will be V-Tolled

  • Video-Tolls (V-Tolls) are tolls that could not be deducted from your account at the time of the toll transaction typically attributed to a missing, improperly mounted, or inactive transponder. It is important to periodically review your account activity to ensure your transponder is functioning properly. Excessive V-Tolls will result in penalties, so please mount your transponder correctly and ensure it is working properly.

Sample List of Vehicles Requiring a License Plate Tag (LPT) (pdf)
Learn how to mount your transponder
Where to find additional mounting strips
Using Your I-PASS

Once you have activated your account, registered your vehicle and mounted your transponder, you’re ready to hit the toll road. Here are some helpful tips about driving with I-PASS:

You can use any toll lane on the system, including:

  • Open Road Tolling (obey posted speed limit)
  • I-PASS Only (reduced speed limits)
  • Baskets (ALLvehicles must stop)
  • Tollbooths (ALLvehicles must stop)

I-PASS users pay the I-PASS rate no matter what type of lane they use

Use the lane that is safest and most convenient for your route.

  • Pay careful attention if you are approaching your exit and encounter a Mainline Toll, sometimes there is no access from Open Road Tolling to a nearby exit.
  • At Ramp Tolls, please use the lane most convenient for your direction of travel. If you use a basket lane, you must stop even though you have I-PASS.

Know your transponder is working.

  • The best way to “test” your transponder is to use a tollbooth lane at mainline cash plaza. You should also periodically review your toll transactions as you manage your account. Online account management is the most convenient way to access your transactions, update your account information, and check your balance.
  • You might notice V-Tolls on your account transactions. This is another indication of a malfunctioning, improperly mounted, or missing transponder. Read more about V-Tolls above.
  • If your transponder is malfunctioning, you’ll need to swap it out for a new unit. Read more in the FAQs about what to do if your transponder isn’t working.
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