fastrak question for Cal. drivers

You can use the transponder. I hand one out to employees when they need it. No problem yet.

If you use the transponder, no need to register the plates.
Registering the plates is mostly useful for when you do not have the transponder.

A year or so back I used my transponder in friend's car that wasn't linked to my account. The Fastrak folks tried to ding me for extra charge because there was no registration of the vehicle on my account. I didn't have to pay because of this no registration but still paid the bridge toll. I don't know if that is the same policy now. As I recall, there was a place on the citation for explanation to not pay the extra fee.

Thanks guys for your answers.

The Fastrak computer systems recognize your license plate via cameras if the transponder isn't detected (battery dead, signal weak, receivers broken, etc.). If your license plate number isn't registered in their system, they'll automatically send you a ticket in the mail. It's best to register your plate number with them to avoid this.

Tip: The Fastrak transponder works just fine in the dash top "bin" on my first-generation Volt. If you have room in there, it's a handy place to keep it out of site (as opposed to sticking it to the windshield).

reciprocity said:

The Fastrak computer systems recognize your license plate via cameras if the transponder isn't detected (battery dead, signal weak, receivers broken, etc.). If your license plate number isn't registered in their system, they'll automatically send you a ticket in the mail. It's best to register your plate number with them to avoid this.

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This makes me wonder how accurate your statement is. Are they looking at 10's of thousands of car photos each day to see if they are carpooling or have a clean vehicle sticker? I would say the majority of cars in the fastrack here in SD Co are not transponder cars.

...Or are you saying that if you are registered with fastrak, and don't get the transponder hit- they charge you anyhow? Do they have toll-road only fastraks like the one in OC? here in SD it is a free for all.