Last Updated on June 18, 2025 by Beltz Law Group
NTTA Ticket Defense Attorney
NTTA Registration Blocks: Why Immediate Action is Critical to Protect Your Vehicle Registration
If you have outstanding tolls with the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), one of their most powerful collection tools is placing a registration block on your vehicle. This means you will be unable to renew your vehicle’s annual registration until the outstanding issues are resolved. While it’s best to address toll issues before a block is placed, The Beltz Law Group is adept at assisting clients at any stage, whether a block is looming or already in effect.
This article will explain the legal framework behind NTTA registration blocks and, most importantly, highlight why immediate action and proper objection are imperative to preserve your right to challenge the block. If you would like to discuss your NTTA registration block or habitual violator notice with our experienced attorneys, feel free to contact us at 214-321-4105.
The Law: How NTTA Places a Registration Block on Your Vehicle
The NTTA’s authority to place a registration block stems primarily from Texas Transportation Code Chapter 372, specifically Sections 372.106 (Habitual Violator) and 372.111 (Denial of Motor Vehicle Registration).
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the process:
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Becoming a “Habitual Violator” (Sec. 372.106): The NTTA can deem a registered owner a “habitual violator” if they determine the owner:
- Has 100 or more events of nonpayment within a one-year period. This refers to unpaid tolls for which at least two written notices of nonpayment were sent. (Note: This excludes events where the vehicle was leased to another party or stolen, with proper documentation provided).
- Received a warning in those notices that failure to pay could result in “habitual violator remedies.”
- Has not paid in full the total amount due for tolls and administrative fees under those notices.
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Receiving the “Habitual Violator” Notice (Sec. 372.106(b) & (c)): If the NTTA determines you are a “habitual violator,” they must send you a written notice. This notice is sent by first-class mail (presumed received on the fifth day after mailing) and must inform you of:
- The total number of nonpayment events and the total amount of tolls and administrative fees due.
- The date of the “habitual violator” determination.
- Your right to request a hearing on this determination.
- The specific procedure and timeframe for requesting this hearing.
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The Critical 30-Day Window to Object (Sec. 372.106(d) & (e)): This is the most crucial part for you as a vehicle owner:
- If the NTTA receives a written request for a hearing within 30 days after the date you are presumed to have received the notice, a hearing shall be held.
- If you DO NOT request a hearing within that 30-day period, the NTTA’s determination that you are a “habitual violator” becomes FINAL and is NOT subject to appeal. This means you waive your right to object.
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Denial of Motor Vehicle Registration (Sec. 372.111): After a final determination that you are a “habitual violator” (meaning the 30-day objection period has passed without a valid request for a hearing, or you lost your hearing), the NTTA can report this to the county assessor-collector or the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. This action then causes the denial of your vehicle’s registration renewal.
NTTA Ticket Lawyer
Why Immediate Objection is Imperative
The language of Texas Transportation Code § 372.106(e) is clear and unforgiving: “If the person does not request a hearing within the period provided by Subsection (d), the toll project entity’s determination becomes final and not subject to appeal on the expiration of that period.”
This means:
- You Waive Your Rights: Failing to object within 30 days essentially means you forfeit your legal right to challenge the “habitual violator” designation and the impending registration block.
- Limited Recourse Later: Once the determination is final, your options for fighting the block become severely limited, often reduced to simply paying the full amount the NTTA claims is owed, including all administrative fees.
- Proactive Defense is Key: Receiving a “Habitual Violator” notice is your primary opportunity to dispute the charges, challenge the validity of the tolls or fees, or negotiate a more favorable resolution. Waiting until the block is in place dramatically reduces your bargaining power.
Failure to Pay Tollway Tickets In Texas
How The Beltz Law Group Can Help Object to a Registration Block
Our NTTA ticket attorneys are highly experienced in navigating the complexities of tollway laws and fighting on behalf of drivers facing registration blocks. Here’s how we can assist:
- Timely Objection and Hearing Request: If you receive a “Habitual Violator” notice, we can immediately file the necessary written request for a hearing on your behalf, ensuring you do not waive your critical right to object.
- Strategic Negotiation: Whether we’re intervening before a block is placed or working to remove an existing one, our goal is to reduce your overall financial burden. We meticulously review the NTTA’s documentation, challenge excessive administrative fees, and negotiate for the lowest possible settlement amount.
- Comprehensive Case Evaluation: We examine your entire toll history, assessing the validity of each toll, the notices sent, and any potential defenses (e.g., stolen vehicle, lessor information).
- Representation at Hearings: If a hearing is necessary, our attorneys will represent you, presenting your case and challenging the NTTA’s determination.
- Efficient Block Removal: Once a resolution is reached and payment is made (or a payment plan established), we work swiftly to ensure the NTTA removes the registration block so you can renew your vehicle’s tags.
Don’t wait until it’s too late! If you receive a “Habitual Violator” notice from the NTTA, it is imperative that you contact an attorney immediately. Your right to object is time-sensitive.
Contact The Beltz Law Group today at 214-321-4105 for a confidential consultation. Let us help you protect your vehicle registration and resolve your NTTA issues.
