Maryland E-ZPass Discount Plans help drivers save money on tolls across the state’s bridges, tunnels, and highways. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) runs these plans through DriveEzMD.com. Drivers with a Maryland E-ZPass account can pick from several discount options based on how often they use specific toll roads.
These plans work for daily commuters, weekend travelers, and people who cross certain bridges only a few times a year. Each plan has its own rules, trip limits, and time windows. This page breaks down every active Maryland E-ZPass Discount Plan, how to sign up, and how to keep your account in good shape.
Who Qualifies for Maryland E-ZPass Discount Plans
Only Maryland E-ZPass account holders can join these plans. Out-of-state E-ZPass accounts get standard Maryland toll rates but cannot join the special commuter programs.
Basic Eligibility Rules
- You must have a Maryland E-ZPass account through DriveEzMD.com
- Your account must have a positive balance at all times
- You need a properly mounted E-ZPass transponder in your vehicle
- Your vehicle registration and license plate must match your account
The first step is opening an account with a $25 starting balance. You get a free E-ZPass Flex transponder in the mail within 7 to 10 days. Mount the transponder on your windshield behind the rearview mirror. A bad mount causes a misread, which leads to a video toll charge at a higher rate.
Two Account Types for Maryland E-ZPass Discount Plans
Maryland offers two main account types. NJ Amnesty Program Each one fits a different kind of driver.
Private Account
A private account works for most drivers. You can add up to four transponders under one account. This fits families, couples, or solo commuters who need more than one vehicle on a plan.
Business Account
A business account works for fleet owners. Vehicles with five or more axles get enrolled in certain frequent traveler programs automatically. Small business owners with light trucks can also use this account type.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge E-ZPass Plans
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge (William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge) on US-50/301 has two Maryland E-ZPass Discount Plans. This bridge connects the Western Shore to Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Bay Bridge Standard Plan
The Standard Plan costs about $40 and gives you 25 trips in 45 days. The cash toll for a two-axle vehicle is $6. With this plan, each trip costs around $1.60. You save roughly $2 per trip compared to cash. Unused trips expire at the end of the 45-day cycle.
Bay Bridge Shoppers Plan
The Shoppers Plan costs about $20 and gives you 10 trips in 90 days. You can only use these trips from Sunday through Thursday. Saturday trips do not count toward the plan. This plan fits weekend travelers who cross for shopping, dining, or beach trips during the week.
| Plan | Trips | Window | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 25 | 45 days | ~$40 | Daily commuters |
| Shoppers | 10 | 90 days (Sun–Thu) | ~$20 | Weekday travelers |
Baltimore Region Discount Plan
The Baltimore Region Discount Plan covers the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95), Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895), Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695), JFK Highway (I-95), and Hatem Bridge (US-40). One plan works across all these facilities.
This plan costs about $70 and gives you 50 trips in 45 days. The savings reach up to 40% off standard E-ZPass rates at these facilities. The trips are transponder-specific, so you must assign the plan to one transponder. If you drive through multiple Baltimore toll points every day, this plan pays off fast.
You can enroll in the Baltimore Region Plan through DriveEzMD.com under your transponder settings.
Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge Annual Plan
The Hatem Bridge on US-40 between Perryville and Havre de Grace has a low-cost annual plan. This is one of the cheapest Maryland E-ZPass Discount Plans available.
Hatem Bridge Plan Details
- Cost: $20 per year for two-axle vehicles
- Coverage: Unlimited trips across the Hatem Bridge
- Extra benefit: Discounts on other Maryland toll facilities
- Renewal: Manual, by phone or at a service center
Drivers in Cecil and Harford counties love this plan because the bridge is a key route for daily work commutes. Unlike other plans, this one does not run on a trip count. You pay once and drive all year.
Renew each year by calling 1-888-321-6824 or visiting an E-ZPass Maryland service center. The plan does not auto-renew.
Nice/Middleton Bridge Discount Plan
The Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge and the Thomas J. Middleton Bridge carry Route 301 across the Potomac River. Southern Maryland commuters can save with a regional plan here.
The Nice/Middleton Plan costs about $45 and gives you 25 trips in 45 days. Full Virginia Customer Service Article This works for daily commuters between Charles County, St. Mary’s County, and King George, Virginia. Video toll rates for this bridge run high, so the plan pays for itself in about a month of regular use.
How to Enroll in Maryland E-ZPass Discount Plans
Signing up takes about 10 minutes online.
- Go to DriveEzMD.com and click Sign Up Now
- Enter your name, address, phone, email, and license plate
- Pay the $25 starting balance with a credit card or bank account
- Pick your transponder type (standard or Flex)
- Choose your Maryland E-ZPass Discount Plan during setup or add it later
- Wait 7–10 days for your transponder to arrive by mail
- Mount the transponder and start saving
You can add or change discount plans at any time through the transponder menu on DriveEzMD.com. Each plan ties to one transponder, so choose the vehicle you drive most.
Managing Your Maryland E-ZPass Account
Good account management keeps your discounts active and your balance healthy.
Set Up Auto-Replenishment
Auto-replenishment adds money to your account when the balance drops below a set point. Most drivers set it to refill at $10. This prevents video toll charges from a zero balance.
Check Your Balance Often
Log in to DriveEzMD.com or use the mobile app to check your balance. The app also shows recent trips, plan status, and renewal dates.
Update Vehicle Information
If you buy a new car or get new plates, update your account right away. Kentucky Dispute Account A mismatch between your transponder and plate can trigger a video toll even when the transponder works.
Mistakes That Cost You Money
These errors can wipe out your Maryland E-ZPass Discount Plan savings.
- Transponder in the glovebox or trunk — it cannot read
- Low balance without auto-replenishment on
- Wrong vehicle listed on the account
- Forgetting to renew the Hatem annual plan
- Using the Shoppers Plan on a Saturday
- Sharing trips between two transponders on the same plan
A video toll costs about 1.5 times the cash toll. One missed read can cost more than a month of plan savings.
Contact Maryland E-ZPass Customer Service
Need help with your Maryland E-ZPass Discount Plans? Use these official channels:
- Website: DriveEzMD.com
- Phone: 1-888-321-6824
- Service Centers: Baltimore, BWI Airport, and other locations across the state
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Phone support handles plan enrollment, renewals, billing disputes, and transponder issues. Online chat is available through the website during business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland E-ZPass Discount Plans
Drivers often ask these questions about Maryland E-ZPass Discount Plans. Illinois Scam Alert Guide The answers below cover the most common issues, rules, and savings details.
Can I have more than one Maryland E-ZPass Discount Plan at the same time?
Yes. You can stack plans on different transponders under the same Maryland E-ZPass account. For example, you can run a Bay Bridge plan on your daily-driver transponder and a Hatem Bridge annual plan on a second vehicle’s transponder. Each plan is tied to one transponder, so trips from one plan cannot count toward another. If you qualify for two plans at the same toll facility, the system automatically applies the cheaper rate. This stacking feature helps families with multiple vehicles save on different routes across Maryland.
What happens to unused trips at the end of a plan cycle?
Unused trips expire when the cycle ends. For the Bay Bridge Standard Plan, any of the 25 trips you did not use in 45 days are gone. The Shoppers Plan follows the same rule over 90 days. You do not get a refund for unused trips. The good news is that any trips you take after the cycle ends still get the standard E-ZPass rate, which is lower than cash. Plan your trips so you use the full count before the window closes. Set a phone reminder a week before each cycle ends to track your remaining trips.
Do Maryland E-ZPass Discount Plans work for out-of-state drivers?
No. Maryland E-ZPass Discount Plans are only for accounts opened through DriveEzMD.com. If you hold an E-ZPass from another state like Virginia, Delaware, or New Jersey, you still get standard E-ZPass rates at Maryland tolls but cannot join the commuter plans. Many out-of-state drivers open a separate Maryland account just for the savings, especially if they cross the Bay Bridge or Hatem Bridge often. The Maryland account requires its own $25 starting balance and its own transponder, but the long-term savings make it worth the small upfront cost.
What is the difference between a video toll and an E-ZPass charge?
A video toll (also called Pay-By-Plate) happens when a camera reads your license plate because no transponder was detected. Video tolls cost 1.5 times the cash toll. An E-ZPass charge uses your transponder and applies your discount plan rate. Always drive with a working transponder mounted on your windshield to avoid video toll charges, which can erase your plan savings in a single trip. If you forget your transponder at home, you can pay the toll online within 48 hours at the standard cash rate, which is cheaper than a video toll penalty.
How do I renew my Hatem Bridge annual plan?
The Hatem Bridge plan does not auto-renew. You must call 1-888-321-6824 or visit an E-ZPass Maryland service center each year to renew. The cost is $20 for two-axle vehicles. Renewal opens 30 days before the plan expires. Set a calendar reminder so you do not miss the date, because lapsed plans drop you back to standard E-ZPass rates right away. The plan also comes with discounts at other Maryland toll facilities, which makes it one of the best values among all Maryland E-ZPass Discount Plans for Northeast Maryland drivers.
Can I transfer a Maryland E-ZPass Discount Plan to another vehicle?
Yes. You can move a plan from one transponder to another through DriveEzMD.com. Go to your transponder list, remove the plan from the old transponder, and assign it to the new one. The cycle does not reset, so your remaining trips and time window stay the same. This is useful when you buy a new car or sell a vehicle that had a plan attached. You can also move plans between household vehicles if your driving patterns change. Just make sure the new vehicle has a working transponder mounted before you start using the transferred plan.
What should I do if my transponder stops working?
Call 1-888-321-6824 or visit a service center to get a free replacement. Maryland E-ZPass replaces dead or damaged transponders at no extra cost. While you wait for the new one, drive through cash lanes or set up Pay-By-Plate to avoid video toll charges. Most replacements ship within 5 to 7 business days. Your account balance and active discount plans stay linked to your account, not the transponder, so your savings continue as soon as you mount the new device on your windshield.