Kentucky E-ZPass open account is the fastest way to pay tolls on the Louisville-area bridges connecting Kentucky and Indiana. RiverLink runs the system for the three Ohio River bridges: the Lewis and Clark Bridge, the Lincoln Bridge, and the Kennedy Bridge. Drivers who register get lower toll rates, faster crossing, and one monthly bill instead of separate payments per trip.
Without an account, cameras photograph your license plate and bill you later at the higher Pay By Plate rate. With an account, a small transponder on your windshield reads automatically and charges your prepaid balance. The savings add up fast for daily commuters, business fleets, and anyone crossing the river more than a few times a month.
What Kentucky E-ZPass Covers and How RiverLink Works
RiverLink is the official toll system for the Louisville Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges project. The three bridges accepting EZ Pass tags are located in specific crossing points between the two states.
- Lewis and Clark Bridge (East End Crossing) connecting Prospect, KY with Utica, IN
- Lincoln Bridge (northbound Interstate 65) connecting Louisville, KY with Jeffersonville, IN
- Kennedy Bridge (southbound Interstate 65) connecting downtown Louisville with downtown Jeffersonville
All tolling is fully electronic. There are no cash booths. Vehicles with a registered transponder pay the lowest rate. Vehicles without a transponder pay the Pay By Plate rate, which is roughly double the transponder rate.
The Frequent User Discount applies after 40 transponder crossings in a calendar month. Drivers crossing that often get a partial refund on the cost of additional trips. Commuters between Louisville and Southern Indiana see the largest savings through this program.
Documents and Details You Need Before You Register
Gather these items before starting your registration. Having them ready cuts the signup time down to about ten minutes.
- Full legal name and current home address
- Email address for receipts and low-balance alerts
- Phone number for account recovery
- Vehicle year, make, model, and color for each vehicle you want to register
- License plate number and state for each vehicle
- Credit card, debit card, or bank routing and account number for the opening deposit and auto-replenishment
If you just bought a car and only have a temporary tag, you can register the temp plate number. Update the listing with the permanent plate once you receive it. Drivers who skip the update get billed at the higher Pay By Plate rate until the system matches the plate to the transponder.
Online Registration Steps for Your Kentucky E-ZPass Open Account
The fastest way to finish your Kentucky EZPass open account is online through the official RiverLink portal. Follow these steps in order:
- Go to the official RiverLink website at riverlink.com.
- Click the “Open an Account” or “Sign Up” button on the homepage.
- Choose your account type: Personal or Commercial.
- Enter your contact details, including name, address, phone number, and email.
- Add each vehicle you want to register. Include year, make, model, color, license plate number, and state.
- Add an opening deposit of at least $20 using a credit card, debit card, or bank account.
- Set up auto-replenishment so the system adds funds when your balance drops below the threshold.
- Review every entry, especially the license plate numbers, then submit the form.
- Check your email for a confirmation message with your account number.
Your account is active the moment you submit the form. Any license plate listed on the account qualifies for Pay By Plate discounted rates right away. The transponder unlocks the lowest toll tier once it arrives and is mounted on your windshield.
Personal vs Business Account: Which One Fits Your Needs
Personal accounts work for individual drivers, families, and households. The minimum opening balance is $20. You can add up to ten vehicles on a single personal account.
Business accounts work for company vehicles, rideshare drivers, delivery fleets, and independent contractors with multiple vehicles. Business accounts require a federal tax ID or employer identification number. The minimum opening balance is higher, usually $50 per vehicle. Reports can be exported for mileage and tax tracking.
| Feature | Personal Account | Business Account |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum opening deposit | $20 | $50 per vehicle |
| Tax ID required | No | Yes (EIN) |
| Vehicle limit | 10 | Unlimited |
| Monthly tax reports | No | Yes |
| Best for | Families, commuters | Fleets, rideshare, delivery |
Payment Methods and Auto-Replenishment Settings
RiverLink accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express for credit and debit cards. Bank accounts can be linked using routing and account numbers for ACH transfers. Prepaid cards also work but only if they have a billing address registered to your name.
Auto-replenishment adds funds to your account when the balance drops below a set threshold. The default threshold is $6.00. You can raise it to $20, $30, or higher. The recharge amount is typically $40 per refill, but you can adjust the refill amount inside your portal.
Drivers who want to avoid small daily charges should raise both the threshold and refill amount. Drivers who prefer small frequent charges can keep the default settings. There is no fee for auto-replenishment through bank ACH. Credit card replenishments may carry a small processing fee depending on your card issuer.
Transponder Delivery, Installation, and Activation
Your E-ZPass transponder arrives within 7 to 10 business days after registration. The package includes mounting instructions and a small strip of adhesive velcro. Most tags are sticker tags that stick directly to the inside of the windshield behind the rearview mirror.
- Clean the inside of the windshield with glass cleaner and let it dry
- Peel the backing off the transponder sticker
- Press the transponder firmly against the glass in the marked zone
- Wait 24 hours before driving through a toll plaza to let the adhesive cure
Sticker tags do not need a battery. They activate automatically when the gantry reads them. If you have a metalized windshield, ask customer service for an external bumper-mounted tag instead.
Managing Your Account Through the RiverLink Portal
Your online portal is the control center for your Kentucky EZPass open account. After signing in, you can complete a range of account tasks quickly.
- View every toll transaction with date, time, bridge, and cost
- Add or remove vehicles from the account
- Update your credit card or bank information
- Change auto-replenishment settings at any time
- Download monthly statements for tax or reimbursement purposes
- Report a lost or stolen transponder and order a replacement
Low balance alerts arrive by email or text based on your notification settings. Set both up so you never miss a refill notification. A missed refill can trigger a declined transponder charge and result in a Pay By Plate bill at the higher rate.
Issues and Quick Fixes
Even with a working account, problems can come up. Here are the most common situations and how to solve them.
New car or new license plate: Log into the portal and add the new plate immediately. Old plates that remain on the account can trigger automated charges after the vehicle is sold.
Lost or stolen transponder: Report it through the portal or call customer service. The system marks the tag as inactive and prevents misuse. Replacement fees are usually $10 to $15.
Rental car: Add the rental plate to your account for the rental period, then remove it when you return the car. Many rental companies charge their own toll convenience fee, so check the rental agreement first.
Out-of-state E-ZPass: Tags from Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and other E-ZPass states work on RiverLink bridges. You still get the transponder rate. Call customer service to enroll in the Frequent User Discount if you cross 40 or more times per month.
Toll Rates and the Savings You Get With a Transponder
Transponder-equipped 2-axle vehicles pay $2.27 per crossing. Pay By Plate customers pay $4.51 per crossing. The savings double after a few crossings each month. A commuter crossing 40 times a month saves over $89 each month with a transponder.
The Frequent User Discount kicks in after 40 crossings in a calendar month. Trips beyond 40 receive a 50% credit on the transponder rate. Heavy commuters can save hundreds of dollars per year.
Motorcycles pay a lower rate. Vehicles with three or more axles pay higher rates based on axle count. Check the current rate table on the official RiverLink website before your trip.
Contact Information for Kentucky E-ZPass and RiverLink
Customer service phone: 1-855-RIV-LINK (748-5465)
Official website: riverlink.com
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Eastern Time. Saturday, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM Eastern Time. Closed Sundays and major holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kentucky E-ZPass Open Account
These questions cover the most common concerns drivers have before opening a Kentucky EZ-Pass account. Each answer gives you a direct, plain-language response based on the latest RiverLink policies. The details below help you make the right call before you register. You will also learn how long things take, what fees apply, and what happens if something goes wrong with your account.
How long does it take to receive my transponder after I open the account?
Transponders ship within 7 to 10 business days from the date you complete registration. Most drivers in Kentucky and Indiana receive the tag within a week. You can use your account for Pay By Plate discounted rates immediately, even before the transponder arrives in the mail.
Can I open a Kentucky E-ZPass account if I live in another state?
Yes. Anyone can open a RiverLink account, regardless of state residency. Drivers from Ohio, Tennessee, and other states regularly register for the savings on Louisville bridge crossings. Your home address and vehicle plates from any U.S. state are accepted at signup.
Is there a monthly fee for keeping a Kentucky E-ZPass account open?
No monthly account fee exists for personal accounts. Business accounts also have no monthly fee, though the minimum opening balance is higher. You only pay the tolls you incur plus the opening deposit you choose to keep on the account.
What happens if my account balance runs negative?
Auto-replenishment triggers a refill when your balance drops below the threshold you set. If your card or bank account fails, the unpaid charge goes into a negative balance. Continued use of the transponder adds tolls to that balance. A negative balance for more than 30 days can result in transponder deactivation and a mailed Pay By Plate invoice at the higher rate.
Can I use my Kentucky E-ZPass transponder in other states?
Yes. E-ZPass interoperability covers more than 19 states from Maine to Illinois. Your RiverLink tag works on toll roads in Ohio, Indiana, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and other EZPass states at the local rate. The same prepaid balance is used for all charges across the network.
Do I need a transponder for every vehicle I register?
One transponder is matched to one license plate. If you register three vehicles, you need three transponders. You can request additional tags at no charge through the portal after opening the account. Keep the plates updated whenever you change vehicles.
How do I close my Kentucky E-ZPass account?
Call customer service or submit a closure request through the portal. The remaining balance is refunded to your linked payment method within 30 to 45 days. All transponders must be returned or marked inactive before the closure is finalized. Any outstanding tolls must be paid before refunds are issued.