You’re cruising down the highway when you suddenly spot those dreaded toll booths ahead. That’s when panic sets in – your E-ZPass isn’t on your windshield! Whether you left it in your other car or at home, that moment of realization can be stressful. But don’t worry – this happens more often than you think, and there are established processes to handle it.
What Happens When You Go Through a Toll Without Your E-ZPass
When you drive through an E-ZPass lane without your transponder, the system immediately recognizes something’s wrong. You’ll likely see a red or yellow light flash, along with messages like “GO NO TAG READ” or “TOLL UNPAID” on the display board. The New Jersey E-ZPass system confirms these are normal notifications when your transponder isn’t detected.
Don’t panic and don’t stop! Continuing through the lane is actually the safest option. The Delaware River Port Authority emphasizes that “The E-ZPass electronic toll collection is an automated system and cannot be interrupted,” so backing up would create a dangerous situation.
Instead, this is what happens:
- Cameras capture images of your license plate
- The system tries to match your plate to an existing E-ZPass account
- If it finds a match, it might still charge your account
- If there’s no match or your plate isn’t registered, you’ll receive a bill
License Plate Recognition and Account Matching
The toll system isn’t just taking photos for fun. Behind the scenes, sophisticated license plate recognition software is working to identify your vehicle. According to the Delaware River Port Authority, “The vehicle’s license plate is run through the database of existing E-ZPass customers. If there is a match, the correct toll will be deducted from the customer’s E-ZPass account.”
This is why it’s crucial to keep your license plate information updated in your E-ZPass account. If you’ve recently changed vehicles or plates but haven’t updated your account, the system won’t be able to match you properly.
Some agencies offer extended grace periods for this matching process. The City of Chesapeake notes that “if your license plate is properly listed on your E-ZPass account, our system will attempt to deduct the E-ZPass toll rate from your E-ZPass account for a total of 10 consecutive days after you drive through the facility.”
How and When You’ll Receive a Bill
If your license plate isn’t registered or recognized, you’ll receive a bill in the mail. The New Jersey E-ZPass states, “If you did not have a valid E-ZPass tag in your vehicle, a Toll Bill will be mailed to you for your convenience. The Toll Bill is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle, typically within 30 days of the transaction.”
Don’t expect this bill immediately. Based on experiences shared, it usually takes anywhere from a few days to several weeks before you receive anything in the mail. This processing time gives toll authorities a chance to:
- Process and verify your license plate image
- Check for existing E-ZPass accounts
- Retrieve your vehicle registration information
- Generate and mail the appropriate bill
Additional Fees and Charges to Expect
Here’s the not-so-great news: going through a toll without your E-ZPass typically costs more than the standard rate. According to multiple user experiences on Reddit, “You’ll get a more expensive bill versus if you had the E-ZPass.”
The bill generally includes:
- The base toll amount
- An administrative fee (which can range from $3 to $25 depending on the toll authority)
For example, one Reddit user mentioned that their daughter “without E-ZPass blows through the E-ZPass lanes and gets fined like 7 to 9 dollars,” compared to the standard toll of just a few dollars.
The good news is that many toll authorities offer leniency for first-time incidents. The Delaware River Port Authority states that “The administrative fee may be waived for first-time offenders if the missed toll payment is made promptly.”
Pay Proactively to Save Money
Here’s a money-saving tip that many people don’t know about: you don’t have to wait for the bill to arrive in the mail. Most toll authorities allow you to pay missed tolls online before they send you a notice.
The Maine Turnpike Authority provides a convenient system where “You can pay that skipped toll here” through their website. Simply enter your license plate information and the approximate date and time you went through the toll.
Multiple users on Reddit recommend this approach: “Go on missed a toll in a few days and pay before you get anything in the mail, it’ll save you a decent amount.” Another user suggested: “Pay it online before the late fees hit from trying to pay once you get the mailed invoice.”
Regional Differences in E-ZPass Policies
It’s important to note that E-ZPass policies can vary significantly depending on where you are. The E-ZPass system operates across 19 states, primarily in the northeastern and midwestern United States, and each state or toll authority can have slightly different procedures.
For instance, the Ohio Turnpike specifically addresses forgotten transponders in their FAQs with the question “I left my transponder at home and went through an E-ZPass lane. Now what?” This indicates they’ve established formal procedures for this common issue.
Some specific regional variations include:
| State/Authority | Grace Period | Additional Fees | Proactive Payment Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 30 days | Administrative fee | Yes, through website |
| Virginia | 5 days | $3.70 + toll | Yes, through Missed-A-Toll |
| New York | 30 days | $5 + toll | Yes, through website |
| Maine | 7 days | $20 + toll | Yes, through website |
| Ohio | 14 days | $25 + toll | Limited availability |
Always check the specific toll authority’s website for the most accurate and up-to-date information for your location.
Smart Strategies to Minimize Penalties
If you’ve already gone through a toll without your E-ZPass, consider these strategies to minimize potential penalties:
1. Pay Online Immediately
Don’t wait for a bill to arrive. Visit the toll authority’s website and look for options like “Missed a Toll” or “Pay by Plate.”
2. Sign Up for E-ZPass Right Away
If you don’t already have an E-ZPass account, consider signing up immediately after the incident. One Reddit user shared: “I signed up for E-ZPass the same day as I accidentally went through. Figured I needed the service. They sent me a letter that they had recorded my plates going through but my transponder wasn’t working… They charged me just the toll, like 75¢.”
3. Contact Customer Service
While some authorities like the Delaware River Port Authority indicate “There is no need to call DRPA if you went through an E-ZPass lane by mistake,” other users report success with calling: “Back in like 2017, I called and they waived it for me.”
A polite call explaining your situation might result in reduced or waived fees, especially for first-time incidents.
4. Update Your Account Information
Ensure your E-ZPass account information is current, particularly your license plate numbers and payment method. The City of Chesapeake recommends: “Sign your E-ZPass account up for auto-replenishment to prevent your account from falling into an insufficient funds status. It’s simple and convenient.”
Understanding Toll Violations vs. Missed Tolls
It’s important to distinguish between simply missing a toll payment and receiving an actual violation. A missed toll occurs when you go through an E-ZPass lane without a transponder but the authorities can still identify your vehicle and bill you.
A violation, on the other hand, typically occurs when:
- You fail to pay the missed toll bill by the due date
- Your license plate is obscured or unreadable
- You deliberately try to evade toll payment
Violations come with much steeper penalties, often $50 or more per occurrence, and can potentially affect your vehicle registration renewal in some states. The New York E-ZPass system notes that “Unpaid tolls may result in substantial violation fees, registration suspension, and/or referral to a collection agency.”
When the Toll Is in Another State
If you forgot your E-ZPass while traveling out of state, the process can be slightly more complex but still manageable. The good news is that E-ZPass is an interoperable system, meaning your account works across all participating states.
If your license plate is properly registered to your E-ZPass account, many toll authorities will still be able to match it to your account even if you’re from another state. However, the processing time might be longer.
For toll roads that don’t participate in E-ZPass, you’ll typically receive a bill by mail through that state’s toll-by-plate system. The Maine Turnpike Authority explains that “Even if you have an E-ZPass from another state, if you go through a Maine E-ZPass lane without your transponder, we’ll still need to bill you through our missed toll process.”
E-ZPass vs. Toll-By-Plate: Understanding the Differences
In recent years, many toll authorities have implemented “Toll-By-Plate” or “Pay-By-Plate” systems as alternatives to traditional cash payments. These systems use the same license plate cameras that catch E-ZPass violations, but they’re designed as legitimate payment options.
Key differences between E-ZPass and Toll-By-Plate include:
| Feature | E-ZPass | Toll-By-Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Payment timing | Prepaid account | Billed after usage |
| Cost | Lower toll rates | Higher toll rates + possible admin fee |
| Convenience | No bills to manage | Requires responding to bills |
| Privacy | Less photography of vehicle | Regular photography of vehicle |
| Availability | E-ZPass member states only | Many toll roads nationwide |
If you frequently travel in areas with both systems, having an E-ZPass is generally more economical, but understanding Toll-By-Plate helps you know what to expect when you forget your transponder.
Read also: EZ-Pass Scams Text: What You Need to Know
Help! I Got a Bill for Someone Else’s Car
Occasionally, license plate recognition systems make mistakes. If you receive a toll bill for a vehicle you don’t own or weren’t driving, don’t ignore it! According to the Virginia Toll Roads, you should contest the charge promptly.
Most toll authorities have a dispute resolution process that typically involves:
- Calling the customer service number on the bill
- Providing evidence that you weren’t driving the vehicle
- Submitting a written dispute form if required
Remember to keep copies of all correspondence and note the names of representatives you speak with. Most legitimate errors can be corrected without penalty if addressed promptly.
Forgetting your E-ZPass and going through a toll is a common occurrence that happens to thousands of drivers every day. While it may result in some additional fees, addressing the situation promptly — ideally by paying online before receiving a bill — can minimize these costs. By keeping your account information updated, securing your transponder properly, and knowing your options if you do forget it, you can navigate toll roads with confidence.
