Driving on the Tollway in Dallas Can Get Your Car Towed

Last Updated on June 6, 2025 by Beltz Law Group

Facing NTTA Tollway Violations? The Beltz Law Group Can Help Prevent Towing and Resolve Blocks.

NTTA Ticket Defense Attorney

Expert Legal Assistance for Habitual Toll Violators in North Texas. Call The Beltz Law Group Today: 214-321-4105

In North Texas, utilizing the extensive tollway system is a daily reality for many drivers. While the convenience is undeniable, accumulating unpaid tolls with the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) can lead to serious consequences, including vehicle registration blocks and, for “habitual violators,” the potential for your vehicle to be towed.

At The Beltz Law Group, we understand the complexities of NTTA violations and the stress they can cause. Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to helping drivers resolve their outstanding toll issues, prevent license plate blocks, and negotiate favorable restitution agreements.

Understanding the “Habitual Violator” Designation and Its Consequences

The NTTA, under the authority of the Texas Transportation Code, has robust measures in place to collect unpaid tolls. A key enforcement tool is the “habitual violator” designation.

You may be deemed a “habitual violator” if:

• You have been issued at least two written notices of nonpayment that, in total, contain 100 or more events of nonpayment within a one-year period.
• You received a warning that failure to pay these amounts could result in the NTTA exercising its habitual violator remedies.

Once designated a habitual violator, the consequences can be severe:

1. Vehicle Registration Block (“Scofflaw”): The NTTA will report your status to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) and your county tax assessor-collector. This prevents you from renewing your vehicle’s registration until all outstanding tolls and associated administrative fees are paid or a payment plan is established. You will see a “SCOFFLAW” remark on your registration renewal notice.
2. Increased Fees: Unpaid tolls quickly accrue administrative fees, often escalating the total amount owed far beyond the original toll charges.
3. Vehicle Ban: The NTTA can issue an order prohibiting your vehicle from operating on any NTTA toll road, bridge, or tunnel.
4. Violation Citation: If you continue to use NTTA toll roads after being banned, you can receive a Class C misdemeanor citation for violating the vehicle ban, punishable by a fine of up to $500.
5. Vehicle Impoundment (Towing): This is perhaps the most immediate and disruptive consequence. If your vehicle is identified as belonging to a habitual violator and is found operating on an NTTA toll road after a ban has been issued, it is subject to impoundment and towing. This means your vehicle could be seized on the spot, leaving you stranded and incurring significant towing, storage, and impoundment charges in addition to your outstanding tolls.

NTTA Ticket Lawyer

How The Beltz Law Group Can Help

If you’ve received a citation for failure to pay tolls, have a registration block, or are at risk of being designated a habitual violator, it’s crucial to act quickly. Our attorneys can assist you by:

1. Removing the Registration Block: One of our primary goals is to help you get your vehicle’s registration block removed. This typically involves engaging with the NTTA and addressing the underlying unpaid tolls. Our firm can help you navigate the process of obtaining the necessary “release” from the NTTA so you can renew your vehicle registration.

2. Negotiating Restitution Agreements: Often, the sheer volume of unpaid tolls and accumulated administrative fees can feel overwhelming. We can negotiate directly with the NTTA to establish a restitution agreement that allows you to pay the outstanding toll amounts over time. This can be a vital step in clearing your habitual violator status and lifting your registration block without requiring an immediate lump sum payment of the entire exorbitant amount. Our aim is to achieve a resolution that is manageable for you and brings the total owed closer to the original toll amounts by challenging excessive administrative fees where possible.

3. Defending Against Failure to Pay Toll Citations: If you’ve been issued a formal Class C misdemeanor citation for “failure to pay tollway,” we can represent you in the relevant Justice of the Peace court. We will:

   • Enter a “not guilty” plea on your behalf to preserve your rights.
   • Review all invoices and evidence the NTTA provides to ensure they meet their burden of proof (e.g., proper notice, accurate toll records).
   • Negotiate with the prosecutor to pursue a dismissal or a favorable resolution that protects your driving record from a conviction.

4. Preventing Vehicle Impoundment: By proactively addressing your habitual violator status and negotiating a payment plan, we can help prevent your vehicle from being banned from toll roads and subsequently towed.

Don’t let unpaid tolls spiral out of control, leading to registration blocks and the risk of your vehicle being impounded. The NTTA is aggressive in its collection efforts, and having experienced legal representation on your side can make a significant difference.

If you are an NTTA habitual violator or have received a citation for failure to pay tollway, contact The Beltz Law Group today. Let us help you navigate the process, remove your registration block, and work towards a manageable solution for your outstanding toll obligations.