What Happens When You Go Through E-ZPass Without One in PA? This is a concern a lot of motorists have in regard to Pennsylvania’s maintenance of toll roads. Whether you are a resident of the state or a visitor, knowing what penalties are applicable for not carrying the E-ZPass transponder is important to help you avoid some hefty fines.
And that’s exactly what we will outline in this article – EZ Pass PA violations, the fines that come with them, and other payment options that can be used instead so that one doesn’t pay too much when traveling on Pennsylvania’s toll roads.
What Happens If You Don’t Have E-ZPass in PA?
So, what happens when you go through E-ZPass without one in PA? What happens might differ from one person to the other, but oftentimes the outcome leads to the payment of fines. Most of the roads and highway’s in Pennsylvania have them managed by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) where they maintain the order of using the tolling system. There are some policies that are in place for vehicles which do not have the required transponder while using the toll roads.
1. Violation Notice
It is important for everyone to remember, without an E-ZPass, while crossing Pennsylvania’s E-ZPass booth can lead to violations being issued automatically. This then sends a violation notice to people who own that vehicle. PTC also uses the licensing plates and the registration details to cross check the details using their cameras.
It is common to receive the notice of violation along with violation details in a few weeks. This is what the notice contains:
- How much toll payment should have been made.
- The violation fee that will be imposed
- The process of payment for the violation along with details to contest it.
2. Fines and Administrative Fees
There are fines imposed and administrative fees charged in case a vehicle with E-ZPass passes through a toll road or bridge in Pennsylvania without one. These fines depend on which particular toll road or bridge one crosses, and are usually more than the original toll lost due to the violation. These total charges often include the cost of the toll, and an administrative fee.
For instance, if an individual violates a toll in Pennsylvania the person may have to pay a fine between $25 and $50, with the possibility of higher amounts being charged. In addition, for the violations, the person may be charged an administrative fee up to $25.
3. Increased Costs for Repeated Violations
Accumulated violations come with further consequences. Not only will each violation be charged separate fines, but components such as suspension of the vehicle registration by the PTC may also be imposed on the vehicle. The violations will need to be cleared up before the vehicle can legally be driven on Pennsylvania roads.
There are also chances of multiple violations leading to reports being sent off to credit agencies, which could severely lower one’s credit score. This is part of what happens when you go through E-ZPass without one in PA?
Alternatives to E-ZPass for Non-Transponder Users
People with no E-ZPass transponders can still use Pennsylvania toll roads by using other payment methods. These are the best possible choices that exist today.
1. Pay-By-Plate Services
In Pennsylvania the E-ZPass system can be avoided due to the Plate-By-Pay option which is available for the people not using an E-ZPass. In this system, the registered owner of the vehicle gets a bill at his address using the license plate number captured by the camera installed on the toll gate. In addition to the normal service fee, extra charges can be incurred and the rates tend to remain the same.
2. Toll Booths
In some highways and bridges of Pennsylvania, use of transponder is not a must and you can pay cash manually at the toll booth. However, due to the advancement in technology and electronic payment being adopted, this option is slowly being eliminated making it less popular.
3. Third Party Payment Services
For travelers using toll roads in multiple states, intermediary payment companies like PlatePass provide a unique opportunity to enjoy the service easily without worrying about the transponder.
These alternatives help non-transponder users travel through Pennsylvania’s toll roads without hassle.
What Happens If You Dont Pay a Toll In PA?
Not paying a toll can result in higher fines. A notice indicating your violation will provide you with an opportunity to pay the toll but if ignored, further penalties await.
- Vehicle Registration Suspension
- As stated before, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has the power to suspend a car’s registration after too many unpaid tolls. This blocks an individual from driving legally in this state.
- Credit Reporting
- Toll violations that go unpaid risk being reported to credit services and this can impact your credit rating significantly. Compromised credit will increases difficulty in getting loans, mortgages or even insurances.
- Collections Actions
- Giving a toll violation the gift of time may be the worst decision. After a long duration of unpaid violator tickets, this debt get shipped to collection agencies where fund recovery is the main goal. Some may even stoop to wage garnishment.
Ignoring toll violations can lead to serious consequences, including vehicle registration suspension, credit damage, and collection actions. So, what happens when you go through E-ZPass without one in PA? The penalties can add up fast.
How to Avoid Penalties?
Given below are the steps one can take not to incur penalties while using the E-ZPass system in Pennsylvania:
- Applying For An E-ZPass Transponder: It is always recommended to apply for an E-ZPass transponder since the legal consequences are very relaxed on users of the transponder. Applying for one is rather easy, and the avoidance of other hassles makes it worthwhile.
- Pay-By-Plate System: In case you are in a situation wherein you do not possess an E-ZPass, make sure you employ the Pay-By-Plate system. In this case, however, ensure that your number plate is well maintained so that it can be effectively used for identification.
- Regularly Reviewing Toll Bills: Make it a point to look through your mail on a regular basis for violation letters in case you do not possess a transponder. Early payment of the extra legal fees will help avoid further financial burdens.
- Payment services for out of state passes: E-ZPass collectors on the Pennsylvania side of the border tend to be more lenient, therefore, if you are not from Pennsylvania, there are certain services that you can employ to help you pay for the tolls without using an E-ZPass.
By following these simple steps, you can easily avoid penalties and ensure a smooth experience while traveling through Pennsylvania’s toll roads.
Conclusion
What happens when you go through E-ZPass without one in PA? Ultimately, in Pennsylvania, if you pass through an E-ZPass without an account, you can expect a violation notice bearing hefty fines along with other penalties. As a means of avoiding these inconveniences that have the potential of being long term as well, getting an E-ZPass transponder or even a Pay-By-Plate method will be beneficial, and are recommended.
Disregarding toll violations will cost someone dearly; their vehicle registration can be suspended, and their credit scores could be impacted negatively. Being extra careful and ensuring that the correct payment methods are used on the toll roads in Pennsylvania is the easiest way to avoid all of this.
