Your EZ Pass fell off the windshield, you just got a new car, or the sticky strips gave up the ghost in summer heat. Either way, you need new mounting strips fast — and you don’t want to pay for them. Good news: you don’t have to. Here’s exactly where to get EZ Pass Velcro for free, state by state.
What Actually Is “EZ Pass Velcro”?
Before diving in, let’s clear something up. The strips that hold your transponder to the windshield aren’t technically Velcro. They’re industrial-grade reclosable fasteners made from polyolefin stems with mushroom-shaped heads. When pressed together, they create a super-tight, audible snap.
Think of them as heavy-duty 3M Dual Lock strips — far stronger than the hook-and-loop fabric you’d find at a craft store.
Here’s the catch: once you peel them off the windshield, they’re done. The adhesive backing bonds permanently to glass, so you can’t reuse them. That’s exactly why every state agency gives them away for free whenever you ask.
Why Do EZ Pass Agencies Give These Away for Free?
This isn’t charity. It’s smart business.
When your transponder doesn’t get read at a toll plaza, the system has to photograph your license plate, route that image to a human or AI reviewer, match it to your account, and bill you separately. That whole process costs the agency significantly more than a set of sticky strips.
Three reasons they hand them out without hesitation:
- Fewer plate image reviews — automated plate reads are expensive to process
- Less revenue leakage — a missed read means a potential unpaid toll
- Fewer angry phone calls — properly mounted tags mean fewer billing disputes
A box of mounting strips costs pennies. Chasing down a missed toll costs dollars. The math makes total sense.
Where to Get EZ Pass Velcro for Free in New York
New York has the slickest digital system for requesting free strips. You’ve got two main online routes:
| Method | Steps | Delivery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tolls NY App | Log in → My Account → Tags → Request Supplies | 5–7 business days |
| e-zpassny.com | Log in → Vehicles and Tags → Request Supplies → Submit | 5–7 business days |
Prefer talking to a person? Call 1-800-333-8655, Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, or Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
One thing worth knowing: New York charges a “Mid-Tier” toll rate when your tag isn’t properly mounted and fails to scan. That rate is higher than the standard E-ZPass rate. So those free strips aren’t just convenient — they save you real money on every single toll.
If you’re in a hurry and can’t wait for mail delivery, Port Authority customer service offices near major bridges and tunnels can sometimes help with immediate hardware replacement for existing account holders.
Where to Get EZ Pass Velcro for Free in New Jersey
New Jersey takes improper mounting seriously. Holding your transponder up to the windshield by hand or stashing it on your dashboard can trigger administrative violations and higher toll assessments. Don’t risk it.
Here’s how to get your free strips fast:
| Contact Method | Details | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ezpassnj.com | Log in and order through your account | 24/7 self-service |
| Phone | 1-888-AUTO-TOLL (1-888-288-6865) | Mon–Fri 7 AM–7 PM; Sat 8 AM–2 PM |
New Jersey also runs walk-in centers where you can pick up strips the same day:
| Location | Address |
|---|---|
| Newark | 375 McCarter Highway, Newark, NJ 07114 |
| Camden | 420 North 6th Street, Camden, NJ 08102 |
| Hammonton | Frank S. Farley Service Plaza, Hammonton, NJ 08037 |
| New Castle, DE | I-295 and New Castle Avenue, New Castle, DE 19720 |
The Hammonton service plaza location has tighter hours — opening around 8:00 AM on Mondays and closing as early as 3:00 PM some days. Check the NJ E-ZPass FAQ page before making the trip.
Where to Get EZ Pass Velcro for Free in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) has four ways to score free mounting strips. Pick whichever fits your schedule:
- PA Toll Pay App — fastest method, request directly from your account
- paturnpike.com — log in and submit a digital supply request
- Phone — call 1-877-736-6727, say “Customer Service,” and ask an agent to mail them out
- Walk-in — visit 300 East Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17111 for same-day pickup
The PTC also flags something important: watch out for third-party websites trying to charge you for these strips or collect your personal info. Your strips are always free through official channels. If a website is asking for payment, close the tab.
The PTC also notes that a properly mounted transponder is a safety issue, not just a billing one. A loose tag becomes a projectile in a sudden stop. That’s reason enough to get this right.
Where to Get EZ Pass Velcro for Free in Maryland
Maryland runs its DriveEzMD system through a clever integration with Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) branches. That gives you way more physical locations than most states.
To request strips online, go to the DriveEzMD Contact Us page and select “Transponder Supplies” or “Mounting Strips/Non-read Bags” from the category menu. This routes your request directly to their fulfillment team.
| Service Type | Locations | Appointment Needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Toll Facility Centers | Bay Bridge, Fort McHenry Tunnel, JFK Highway | No — walk right in |
| MVA Branch Centers | Essex, Annapolis, Waldorf, Bel Air, Beltsville, Gaithersburg, Glen Burnie | Yes — call 410-537-8400 |
The newest location, the Essex MVA at 1338A Eastern Blvd, is a full-service center where staff can troubleshoot equipment and hand you strips in person.
Where to Get EZ Pass Velcro for Free in Virginia
Virginia makes the online request process pretty painless. Log into your account at ezpassva.com, go to Vehicles and Transponders, click Update my transponders, then find the link to order adhesive strips. They arrive by standard mail in about seven days.
Prefer in-person? Virginia has retail and partner locations throughout the state:
| Location Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Grocery Retailers | Wegmans, Giant |
| Local Government Offices | City of Portsmouth Treasurer, Chesapeake City |
| Travel Centers | Pit Stop Convenience Stores, AAA Mid-Atlantic locations |
You can also call Virginia E-ZPass at 1-877-762-7824, Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and a rep will handle the mailing for you.
New England: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine
Massachusetts — Read This Before You Order
Massachusetts has the most restrictive policy in the whole network. When you request mounting strips through EZDriveMA, they mail you only one strip — even though a standard mount requires two. And you can’t order another set for ten business days after your last request.
Plan ahead. If you’re replacing a windshield or switching cars, order your strips at least two weeks early.
New Hampshire
Order for free through the automated phone line at 1-877-643-9727 or walk into a service center listed on ezpassnh.com. Straightforward, no surprises.
Maine
Maine Turnpike sends an extra set of mounting strips with your initial transponder kit. When you need more, call 1-888-MTA-PASS (1-888-682-7277). They also include installation instructions in every shipment.
Don’t Overlook AAA for Free EZ Pass Strips
If you’re a AAA member, your local branch is a solid backup option. Many locations stock official mounting strips for members at no charge.
| AAA Club | States Covered | Services Available |
|---|---|---|
| AAA Northeast | NY, CT, MA | Transponder distribution, supply requests |
| AAA Mid-Atlantic | VA, MD, PA | Retail kits, member support, basic supplies |
| AAA Hudson Valley | New York State | Specialized holders, standard strips |
Some branches also sell suction-cup holders if you’d rather not use adhesive strips at all.
How to Mount Your EZ Pass Strips the Right Way
Getting the strips for free is only half the job. If you install them wrong, the transponder won’t read — and you’re back to paying higher toll rates.
Step 1: Clean the windshield surface
Wipe the mounting area with rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth. Let it dry completely before touching the adhesive backing.
Step 2: Position correctly
Mount the tag behind the rearview mirror — at least one inch below the roof frame and one inch to the right of the mirror’s center support. This keeps your line of sight clear and the transponder in the optimal scan zone.
Watch out for these windshield features:
| Feature | Problem | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Rain sensors | Physical obstruction | Stay at least one inch away |
| Window tinting | Signal attenuation | Mount in the untinted area |
| Metallic coatings | Blocks RFID signal | Check your manual for the “cut-out zone” |
| Windshield heating elements | Signal interference | Consider an exterior license plate mount |
If your vehicle has a specialized metallic-oxide windshield, an interior mount may not work at all. In that case, your agency can provide an exterior tag that attaches to your front license plate frame.
Watch Out for Toll Scam Texts
While you’re sorting out your mounting strips, keep this on your radar. Scam text messages claiming you have unpaid tolls have been popping up across every state. MassDOT has officially warned customers about these phishing attacks, and the FBI has issued guidance saying you should verify any unsolicited toll message by logging directly into your official state account portal — never through a link in a text.
Only request mounting strips through your state’s official website:
| State | Official Site | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| New York | e-zpassny.com | 1-800-333-8655 |
| New Jersey | ezpassnj.com | 1-888-288-6865 |
| Pennsylvania | paturnpike.com | 1-877-736-6727 |
| Maryland | driveezmd.com | 1-888-321-6824 |
| Virginia | ezpassva.com | 1-877-762-7824 |
| Massachusetts | ezdrivema.com | 1-877-627-7745 |
| New Hampshire | ezpassnh.com | 1-877-643-9727 |
| Maine | ezpassmaineturnpike.com | 1-888-682-7277 |
Your Transponder Has an Expiration Date
One more thing worth knowing: EZ Pass transponders run on internal batteries that last roughly eight to ten years. Most agencies run proactive replacement programs that mail you a new unit before the battery dies — and every replacement kit includes a fresh set of mounting strips.
Keep your mailing address current with your tolling agency. If they send a replacement kit to your old address, you won’t know your transponder is on borrowed time until it stops working at a toll plaza.
