Making your car payment shouldn’t be a hassle. If you’re looking for ways to pay your DriveTime bill online, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve put together this complete guide to help you navigate all the payment options available to DriveTime customers.
Understanding Your DriveTime Payment Options
DriveTime vehicles are financed through Bridgecrest, which handles all your payment processing and account servicing When you need to make a payment, you’ll actually be doing so through Bridgecrest’s payment system, not directly through DriveTime
Online Payment Methods
Bridgecrest offers several convenient ways to pay your DriveTime bill online:
- Bridgecrest Website Payments – The most direct way to pay
- Drive Card Credit Card – For those who have the Drive Card
- Mobile App Payments – Perfect for on-the-go payments
Let’s dive into each option so you can choose what works best for you!
Paying Through the Bridgecrest Website
The Bridgecrest website (www2.bridgecrest.com/payment-options) is your main hub for managing your DriveTime car payment Here’s what you’ll need to do
- Visit the Bridgecrest website
- Log in to your account
- Select the “Make a Payment” option
- Choose your payment method (bank account or debit/credit card)
- Enter the payment amount
- Submit your payment
The website is super user-friendly and optimized for both desktop and mobile devices, so you can easily manage your payments wherever you are.
Payment Processing Times
When paying through the Bridgecrest website, keep in mind that:
- Payments made before 5:00 PM EST will typically process on the same day
- Payments made after 5:00 PM EST will process on the next business day
- Weekend payments will process on the following Monday (or next business day)
Using the Drive Card Credit Card
If you have the Drive Card credit card, you can use it to manage your DriveTime payments through Citibank’s online platform. Here’s what to do:
- Visit the Citi Retail Services website (citiretailservices.citibankonline.com)
- Sign in with your user ID and password
- Navigate to the payment section
- Enter your payment information
- Submit your payment
The Drive Card platform offers additional features like:
- Paperless statements and e-communications
- Email notifications when statements are available
- The ability to set up automatic payments
Drive Card Paperless Enrollment
I recently enrolled in paperless statements for my Drive Card, and it’s been a great decision! To enroll:
- Log in to your Drive Card account
- Look for the “Paperless Statements and Letters” option
- Review the terms and conditions
- Check the box to agree to receive statements electronically
- Confirm your email address for notifications
Remember that when you go paperless, you’ll need to check both your email and postal mailbox until Citi fully transitions to electronic notices.
Setting Up Automatic Payments
One of the best ways to ensure you never miss a DriveTime payment is to set up automatic payments. Both Bridgecrest and the Drive Card offer this feature.
Through Bridgecrest:
- Log in to your account
- Navigate to the “Autopay” section
- Enter your bank account or card information
- Set your preferred payment date
- Specify the payment amount
- Submit your autopay setup
Through the Drive Card:
- Log in to your Citi account
- Find the “Autopay” or “Automatic Payments” option
- Follow the prompts to set up your recurring payments
Once autopay is set up, your payments will be automatically deducted on your specified date. This is super helpful for maintaining good payment history and avoiding late fees!
Mobile App Payment Options
If you’re always on the go, using the mobile app might be your best bet for making DriveTime payments. You can download the Bridgecrest mobile app from your device’s app store.
The app lets you:
- Make quick payments
- View payment history
- Set up payment reminders
- Manage your account details
- Contact customer service
The app interface is really intuitive, and I find it even faster than using the website sometimes.
Payment Tips and Best Practices
Based on my experience with DriveTime/Bridgecrest payments, here are some helpful tips:
- Pay a few days early – This gives your payment time to process before the due date
- Save your confirmation numbers – Always keep payment confirmations until you see the payment reflected in your account
- Check for processing fees – Some payment methods may include small convenience fees
- Set calendar reminders – If you don’t use autopay, set up calendar alerts for payment due dates
- Update your contact info – Ensure your email and phone number are current to receive important notifications
What If You’re Having Trouble Making Payments?
If you’re experiencing financial hardship, Bridgecrest does offer assistance options. I noticed on their site that they specifically mention COVID-19 payment assistance, but they likely have programs for other types of financial hardship as well.
If you’re struggling to make your DriveTime payment, contact Bridgecrest customer service directly to discuss:
- Payment extensions
- Modified payment plans
- Hardship programs
- Other available options
It’s always better to reach out proactively than to miss payments without communication.
Security Considerations When Paying Online
When making online payments for your DriveTime bill, security should be a top priority. Both Bridgecrest and Citi use strong encryption to protect your information.
Some security tips:
- Use strong, unique passwords for your account
- Don’t share your login credentials with others
- Ensure your device has up-to-date security software
- Log out after completing your transaction
- Verify you’re on the legitimate website before entering payment info
According to the Drive Card website, they require browsers with 128-bit security encryption to process your payment information securely.
Common Questions About Paying Your DriveTime Bill Online
Can I pay my DriveTime bill with a credit card?
Yes! You can use a credit card through the Bridgecrest payment system. You can also use the Drive Card if you have one.
Is there a fee for making online payments?
Fees vary depending on your payment method. Some electronic payment methods may include a small convenience fee, while others might be free.
How do I know my payment was received?
After submitting a payment, you’ll receive a confirmation number. You can also check your account history to verify the payment was processed.
What if I need to change my payment date?
Contact Bridgecrest customer service directly to discuss changing your payment date. They may be able to offer flexibility depending on your situation.
Can I make a partial payment?
Yes, Bridgecrest typically allows partial payments, but keep in mind that making only partial payments might result in late fees if you don’t cover the minimum amount due by the due date.
My Personal Experience with DriveTime Payments
I’ve been making DriveTime payments through Bridgecrest for about two years now, and I’ve found the online system to be pretty reliable. There was this one time when the website was down for maintenance right when my payment was due – talk about stress! But I called their customer service line, and they were able to take my payment over the phone without any late fees.
Since then, I’ve set up autopay and enrolled in paperless statements. It’s been smooth sailing, and I don’t have to worry about remembering to make manual payments anymore.
Final Thoughts
Paying your DriveTime bill online through Bridgecrest or the Drive Card is straightforward once you know the process. The systems are designed to be user-friendly, and there are multiple options to suit different preferences.
By taking advantage of features like autopay and paperless statements, you can simplify your payment process and ensure you never miss a due date. Just remember to keep your account information updated and maintain good security practices when making online payments.
Whether you choose to pay through the website, mobile app, or with your Drive Card, you now have all the information you need to manage your DriveTime payments efficiently!
Have you tried any of these payment methods? Which one works best for you? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below!
Meeting and Training/Class Time and Hours Worked
An employer must pay its employees at least the minimum wage for all hours worked, and time and one-half overtime pay based on an employees regular rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek unless the employee is exempt for some reason. Currently the minimum wage in North Carolina is $7.25 an hour.
The time an employee spends in meetings, training, attending a class or course, or attending a workshop may or may not be hours worked based on the circumstances and under certain conditions. Attendance at lectures, meetings, training programs, and similar activities must be counted as work time unless all four of the following criteria are met:
- it occurs outside normal scheduled hours of work;
- it is completely voluntary;
- it is not job-related (unless the employee attends an independent school or college on his/her own initiative outside work hours); and,
- no other work is performed during the period.
The time spent attending training that is required by law for employees of a business is work time for which employees must be compensated. For example: The time spent attending training that is required by the state for day care center licensing is work time for which the day care center employees must be compensated.
The time spent attending training that is required by law for an individual employee to retain his/her certification is not work time as long as all four of the above-criteria are met. For example: The time spent attending training that is required by law for a security guard to retain his/her firearms certification is not work time as long as all four of the above-criteria are met.
Furthermore, even if the time spent in the above activities is work time, the employer may elect to pay an employee a lower hourly rate for this work time, which may be set as low as the minimum wage. For example, if an employee taking a work-related class is paid $15.00 an hour for their normal duties, the employer may elect to pay the employee $8.50 an hour (or as low as $7.25 an hour) for the time spent taking the class.
Please review the federal labor law rules on hours worked in Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 785, which the North Carolina Department of Labor has adopted. The rules on “Lectures, Meetings and Training Programs” are found in 785.27 through 785.32. Go directly to CFR 785.
For more information about workplace rights, please contact our toll free number at 1-800-NC-LABOR (800-625-2267).
Driving and Riding Time and Hours Worked
An employer must pay its employees either the minimum wage (currently $7.25 an hour under North Carolina law) or an employees promised rate of pay (including a salary), whichever is greater, and time and one-half overtime pay based on an employees regular rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek unless the employee is exempt for some reason.
The time an employee spends driving or riding as a part of their job may or may not be hours worked based on the circumstances and under certain conditions. Regular home-to-work and work-to-home travel is normally not work-time. Travel from the employers office to a worksite and travel from the worksite back to the employers office is work-time for the driver of a company vehicle. Travel from the employers office to a worksite and travel from the worksite back to the employers office is not work-time for a rider in a company vehicle as long as the following conditions are met:
- the riding to and from the worksite and office in the company vehicle is optional and not mandatory,
- for the trip to the first or only worksite, the rider does not help to load the company vehicle at the office, and
- for the trip from the last or only worksite back to the office, the rider does not help to unload the company vehicle once back at the office. The travel-time between worksites is work-time for both drivers and riders regardless if using a company vehicle or an employees personal vehicle.
Furthermore, even if the travel-time is work-time, the employer may elect to pay an employee a lower hourly rate for this work-time, which may be set as low as the minimum wage. For example, if a construction-employee is paid $15.00 an hour for their normal duties, the employer may elect to pay this employee $8.00 an hour (or as low as $7.25 an hour) for the travel-time that is work-time. Please review the federal labor law rules on hours worked in Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 785, which the North Carolina Department of Labor has adopted. The rules on “Travel Time” are found in 785.33 through 785.41. Go directly to CFR 785.
