Frequently Asked Questions

405 Express Lanes
Administrative Review Hearing
Appeal Rights and Responsibilities

You have the right to contest a notice of toll evasion violation or notice of delinquent toll evasion violation. In response to your contest, the 405 Express Lanes or its processing agency performed an investigation and reached a decision. If you do not agree with the decision, you have the right to appeal the decision by requesting an Administrative Review Hearing.

Please read the following information regarding the appeal process:

1) To appeal, you must complete the attached Request for Administrative Review Hearing Form. You should include sufficient detail and any evidence or proof you have that supports your claim that you are not responsible for the violation(s), toll(s) and/or associated penalty(ies), or that the penalty(ies) imposed creates a financial hardship. Attach any documents you wish to have considered and return them with this form to:

405 Express Lanes
Administrative Review Hearing
P.O. Box 2177
Costa Mesa, CA 92628

2) Except as otherwise stated below, a request for hearing must be accompanied by a deposit of the total amount of the toll violation penalties assessed.

• a) If the alleged toll violations all arose out of the same basic set of operative facts (such as a lost or stolen credit card), and you are an account patron, you must deposit an amount equal to the assessed tolls and penalties or $250.00, whichever is less.
• b) If the alleged toll violations all arose out of the same basic set of operative facts (such as a reasonable good faith belief that you were an account patron in good standing at the time of the alleged violations) and you are not an account patron, you must deposit an amount equal to the assessed tolls, plus (a) the amount of the assessed penalties if the assessed penalties are under $250; (b) $250, if the assessed penalties are between $250 and $1,000; or (c) if assessed penalties are above $1,000, $250 plus 10% of the assessed penalties above $1,000.
• c) If the required deposit will cause an undue financial hardship, you may apply for a reduction or waiver by completing and submitting a Request for Waiver/Reduction of Deposit.

3) In order to avoid any further escalation of penalties, you must submit a completed Request for Administrative Review Hearing form and the required deposit (or a completed Request for Waiver/Reduction of Deposit form) within 15 calendar days from the mailing of the results of the administrative investigation. The penalties assessed against you for the toll evasion violation may continue to escalate if; 1) you do not file a timely request for an appeal; or 2) the appeal form is not accompanied by the required deposit (or request for waiver/reduction); or 3) if you do not agree to a hearing date within 60 days of the date of the appeal; or 4) you fail to appear for or otherwise participate in a scheduled hearing for the same violations on two occasions.

4) The Administrative Review Hearing will be heard by a hearing officer. The hearing will be held within 90 calendar days following the receipt of the request for the Administrative Review Hearing. You may choose to be present at the hearing, be heard by teleconference or present your position in writing. The 405 Express Lanes also has the right to participate in person or by phone through a representative, or by submitting written documentation. You will receive a scheduled date and time for the hearing by mail. You may request one continuance of the scheduled hearing, not to exceed 21 days. Should you elect to be heard by telephone or in person and you cannot appear at the scheduled time, it is your responsibility to reschedule the hearing prior to the original scheduled hearing date. If you fail to reschedule within 3 business days (absent an emergency) or fail to appear for the second scheduled hearing, your appeal will be automatically denied.

5) You will be notified of the hearing officer’s final decision by first-class mail.