TxTag Login with Account Number: Step by Step Guide (2026)

Here is the most important thing you need to know right now: TxTag.org is gone. The portal permanently closed on February 22, 2025. In 2026, you manage your TxTag account at hctra.org instead.

If you are staring at a login screen feeling confused, you are not alone. Millions of Texas drivers went through this exact transition. This guide walks you through everything you need to log in, recover your account, and stay on top of your tolls in 2026.

What Changed: TxTag Moved to HCTRA

The big news is that TxTag is no longer run by TxDOT. The Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) now manages all TxTag accounts. This change affects how you log in, how you pay, and even where you call for help.

Here is a quick timeline of how the transition happened:

One important note: Any toll charges from before November 9, 2024 are still owed to TxDOT. You cannot pay those older balances through the HCTRA portal. Those must be settled by check or money order mailed to the TxTag P.O. Box in Dallas.

Before You Log In: What You Will Need

Getting ready before you open the login page will save you a lot of frustration. Whether you are a legacy TxTag user or someone brand new to the system, having the right information on hand makes the process smooth and fast.

Here is what to gather before you start:

• Your TxTag account number: This is a 10 or 12 digit number. It appears on billing statements, ZipCash invoices, and any emails sent by TxTag or TxDOT before the 2024 transition.
• Your registered email address: This is the email you used when you first signed up for TxTag.
• Your tag number (optional): Legacy tags begin with the prefix TEX. followed by a unique string. This can serve as a backup identifier during account recovery.
• A new password: Your old TxTag password was not transferred to HCTRA. You will need to create a new one.

Quick tip: Search your email inbox for messages from TxTag or TxDOT. Old billing emails contain your account number in the PDF statement attached to each message.

How to Log In to Your TxTag Account in 2026

All TxTag accounts now live inside the HCTRA system. The login process is split into two paths depending on whether you are logging in for the first time after the migration or returning to an account you have already set up.

Path A: First Time Login for Legacy TxTag Users

If you have never logged in through HCTRA before, follow these steps carefully. This is a one-time setup process.

1. Go to the official HCTRA website: Visit hctra.org. Do not use any third-party sites claiming to help with login. Those sites are often phishing traps.
2. Click “First Time Login?”: On the login screen, skip the username and password fields. Look for the “First Time Login?” link and click it.
3. Enter your legacy credentials: Type in your TxTag account number and the email address tied to your old account. In some cases, the system will also accept your TEX. tag number as a backup identifier.
4. Create a new password: HCTRA will send a verification link to your registered email. Click it and follow the prompts to set a new, strong password.
5. Verify your account details: Once inside your dashboard, review your license plate information, vehicle details, and mailing address. Update anything that has changed.

Path B: Routine Login for Established HCTRA Accounts

Once your account is set up in the HCTRA system, logging in is straightforward. The steps below apply to every regular visit.

• Visit hctra.org: Go directly to the official HCTRA website.
• Enter your username and password: Use the credentials you created during your first time login.
• Complete multi-factor authentication: HCTRA now requires MFA for all accounts. A verification code will be sent to your phone or email. Enter the code to proceed.
• Access your dashboard: You are now logged in. From here, you can check your balance, view transactions, manage vehicles, and more.

How to Find Your TxTag Account Number

Your account number is the key to recovering access if something goes wrong. Fortunately, there are several reliable places to track it down. Check each option below in order from easiest to most time-consuming.

Troubleshooting Common Login Problems

Even with the right information, the login process can hit a snag. The good news is that most issues have a straightforward fix. Here are the most common problems and exactly what to do about each one.

You Do Not Remember Which Email You Used

• Search your inbox for messages with the subject line “Welcome to TxTag” or “Your TxTag Statement.”
• Check old work email addresses or personal accounts you may have used years ago.
• If nothing turns up, call 281-875-3279 with your account number. A representative can confirm the email on file.

Your Password Is Not Working

• Click the “Forgot Password?” link on the HCTRA login page.
• Enter your registered email and follow the reset link sent to your inbox.
• If that email is no longer accessible, call HCTRA support and verify your identity using your account number.

Your Account Is Locked

• Too many failed login attempts will temporarily lock your account.
• Wait 15 to 30 minutes and try again.
• If the lock persists, call customer service at 281-875-3279 to have it cleared manually.

The HCTRA Website Is Not Loading

• Check your internet connection first.
• Try a different browser or clear your browser cache.
• Check TxDOT’s official social media accounts for any announced maintenance windows.

What You Can Do Inside Your HCTRA Dashboard

Once you are logged in, the dashboard gives you full control over your toll account. Think of it as your central hub for everything toll-related in Texas. Here is a breakdown of the main features available to you.

Using the EZ TAG Mobile App

The EZ TAG mobile app is the most convenient way to keep tabs on your account while you are on the go. It works with migrated TxTag accounts once you have completed the first-time login through the web portal.

The app is available on both iOS and Android. Here is what it lets you do:

• Check your account balance instantly
• View recent toll transactions
• Add funds with a few taps
• Receive push notifications for low balances and missed tolls
• Request HCTRA Roadside Assistance directly from the app while on a Harris County toll road

Important limitation: The app does not replace the web portal for everything. Detailed annual tax statements and complex billing disputes still require a desktop browser.

Understanding Auto Replenishment and Account Balances

Your HCTRA account runs on a prepaid system. When your balance drops below a set threshold, the system automatically charges your payment method to top it up. Knowing how this works helps you avoid the fees that come with a suspended account.

Here is how the replenishment system works:

• Initial deposit: The minimum deposit to activate an account is $20 for the first vehicle. Each additional vehicle increases the required deposit.
• Replenishment trigger: Your account auto refills when the balance drops to $5.00 or 25 percent of your minimum required balance, whichever is greater.
• Payment method: Using a bank direct ACH payment or a credit card with a long expiration date reduces the risk of a failed replenishment.

What happens if your account goes negative: Fees escalate quickly. A suspended account means tolls get billed at the higher ZipCash rate. Worse, unpaid toll debt can result in a block on your vehicle registration renewal.

Your Tag Still Works: What to Know About Legacy TEX. Tags

You do not need to throw away your old TxTag sticker. Legacy tags with the TEX. prefix still work on all Texas toll roads in 2026. However, there are a few things worth knowing about the tag situation going forward.

• Your existing TEX. tag is still valid and will be read by toll sensors across the state.
• Replacement tags or tags for new vehicles will now be issued as HCTRA EZ TAGs instead of TEX. tags.
• Do not peel your tag off your windshield to move it. The internal RFID antenna is fragile and breaks easily, making the tag unreadable.
• For best results, mount the tag about 4 inches below the top edge of the windshield, directly behind the rearview mirror.
• Motorcycles require a specialized M Tag. Standard sticker tags are not designed for high-vibration environments.

Where Your TxTag Works Beyond Texas

One of the most useful features of your account is its interoperability with toll systems in other states. If you drive through neighboring states regularly, your TxTag or EZ TAG will work at most toll plazas without any extra setup.

Here is where your tag is currently accepted:

Keep in mind: Out-of-state tolls can take 30 to 60 days to appear on your HCTRA dashboard. Keep a buffer in your balance to cover these delayed charges.

Watch Out for TxTag Scams

The TxTag transition created a wave of scam text messages and phishing emails targeting Texas drivers. Knowing what a real HCTRA message looks like versus a fake one can protect your bank account and personal information.

How the Scams Work

• You receive a text claiming you have an unpaid toll balance.
• The message says your vehicle registration will be blocked unless you pay within 12 hours.
• It includes a link to a fake website designed to steal your credit card details.

How to Tell Real from Fake

• Legitimate HCTRA texts come from short code 22498 only. Any other number sending toll payment requests is a scam.
• HCTRA will never ask you to pay via a direct link in a text or email. If you get a payment link in a message, ignore it.
• When in doubt, go directly to hctra.org. Log in manually to check your actual account balance and payment status.

If you receive a suspicious message, report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to TxDOT directly. Do not click any links.

Tolls and Your Vehicle Registration

This is something many Texas drivers do not realize until it is too late. Unpaid toll debt is directly connected to your ability to renew your vehicle registration. The state checks your toll account status when you try to renew.

Here is how the connection works:

• Texas law allows TxDOT and HCTRA to place a registration block on vehicles with significant unpaid toll debt.
• When you try to renew your registration through the Texas by Texas portal or at your county tax office, the system runs a real-time check against the toll violation database.
• If a block is in place, you cannot complete your renewal until the debt is cleared.

Keeping your TxTag account in good standing is not just about convenience. It is a legal requirement to keep your vehicle registered in Texas.

Keeping Your Account Secure in 2026

With MFA now mandatory and phishing scams on the rise, account security deserves your full attention. A few simple habits will keep your account safe and your balance protected.

• Use a strong, unique password. Do not reuse passwords from other accounts.
• Use an authenticator app instead of SMS codes. Apps like Microsoft Authenticator are more secure than text messages because they resist SIM swapping attacks.
• Log out after every session on a shared device. Never save your password on a public or shared computer.
• Turn on email notifications for transactions. You will spot unauthorized activity immediately.
• Check your account at least once per quarter. Verify that all registered plates are correct and no sold vehicles are still on the account.

Ready to Hit the Road with Confidence

The shift from TxTag.org to HCTRA.org was a big change, but it does not have to be a confusing one. Your account number is the key to getting started. Your tag still works. And the new HCTRA system gives you more tools to manage your tolls than ever before.

Here is a quick recap of the essentials:

• Log in at hctra.org, not TxTag.org.
• Use the “First Time Login?” link if you have never accessed HCTRA before.
• Your 10 or 12 digit account number and registered email are what you need to get in.
• Call 281-875-3279 or visit 12719 Burnet Road, Austin if you need in person help.
• Watch out for scam texts. Real HCTRA messages come from short code 22498 only.
• Keep your balance topped up to avoid registration blocks and penalty fees.

Log in today, verify your details, and then forget about it. That is exactly how a toll system should work.

Sources and Further Reading

HCTRA TxTag FAQ: hctra.org/TxTagFAQ

HCTRA Login Portal: hctra.org/Login

TxDOT Scam Warning: txdot.gov/about/newsroom/statewide/2024/txdot-warning-drivers-of-spike-in-texting-scams-targeting-txtag-customers.html

EZ TAG Mobile App (Android): play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.hctra.eztag

TxDOT How Tags Work: txdot.gov/discover/toll-roads-managed-lanes/paying-tolls/how-tags-work.html

Pavithra Vinoth

Pavithra Vinoth is the founder of nytollsinfo.com, where she simplifies U.S. toll systems through expert insights and custom-built calculators. Her research-driven tools help drivers avoid costly mistakes and make smarter car decisions.