The Serious Consequences of Not Paying Toll Bills

Driving on toll roads provides convenience and efficiency for many motorists. However, with this benefit comes the responsibility of paying the required tolls. When toll bills go unpaid you may face escalating fines legal issues, and serious administrative consequences. In this article, we’ll break down what happens when you disregard toll invoices and how to avoid penalties.

Overview of Toll Roads and Toll Violations

First, let’s review the basics of toll road systems and how toll violations occur

• Toll roads – Also called turnpikes or tollways, these are roads where you pay a fee to drive on them, often getting faster travel and less congestion

• Toll booths – Traditional toll collection points where you directly pay cash upon passing through. Many now use electronic tolling instead.

• Electronic tolling – Tolls are deducted from a prepaid account as you drive through with a transponder or license plate capture. Popular systems include E-ZPass, FasTrak, TxTag, and others.

• Toll violations – When you pass through a toll zone without paying, either due to lack of funds or transponder issues. This results in a toll violation or toll ticket being issued.

Neglecting to pay a toll promptly can initiate a series of penalties and fees. It’s crucial to understand toll agencies’ procedures for managing violations to avoid complications.

Immediate Consequences of Unpaid Tolls

When you miss a toll payment, you can expect to see these initial consequences:

• Administrative fees – A violation processing fee is typically added to your unpaid toll, often $1-$5.

• Invoices – Within 30-60 days, expect a bill for the unpaid toll plus fees. If ignored, some agencies issue second and third notices with additional penalties.

• Registration holds – Your local DMV may place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal for outstanding toll debts.

• Misdemeanor charges – In Texas, for example, toll evasion can prompt criminal misdemeanor charges if severe. This can result in fines up to $250 per violation.

• Collections – Long overdue toll debts may go to a collections agency, negatively impacting your credit score.

It’s critical to act promptly when you receive a toll violation notice to avoid escalation. Paying the initial toll and processing fee is often the best immediate course.

Legal and Administrative Effects

If unpaid toll violations persist, you may face legal proceedings, suspension of driving privileges, and financial consequences:

• License/registration suspension – States like New York can suspend your driver’s license and vehicle registration for unresolved toll debts. This prevents renewal.

• Court proceedings – A lawsuit may be filed for unpaid tolls and fees, especially for habitual violators. You would need to cover court fees on top of existing debts.

• Insurance effects – Having a toll violation debt sent to collections can lower your credit score, potentially increasing your insurance rates.

• Reinstatement fees – Before a suspended license or registration can be reinstated, you’ll likely need to pay additional state fees.

• Credit score impacts – Collection agencies pursuing toll debts can significantly damage your credit, affecting your loan/credit card rates.

State-Specific Laws and Penalties

It’s important to know the specific toll violation laws and penalties in the state where you incur tolls:

• New York – Steep fines and suspension of driving privileges are possible here for toll evasion. Even out-of-state drivers face consequences.

• New Jersey – Similar to its neighbor NY, NJ issues toll evasion violation notices by mail and levies harsh fees for avoidance.

• Pennsylvania – PA bridges and tunnels also carry tolls. Violators may face financial sanctions and administrative suspensions.

• Texas – Toll scofflaws in TX can potentially be charged with a criminal misdemeanor leading to fines up to $250 per violation.

Strategies for Avoidance and Resolution

Here are some tips to prevent toll violations or resolve them quickly if they occur:

• Act fast to pay the initial toll before late fees are added if you receive a notice. This limits penalties.

• For errors, submit a dispute/appeal to the toll agency promptly with evidence like photos and timestamps.

• Consider an electronic toll account like E-ZPass to automatically pay tolls from a prepaid balance. Avoid violations altogether.

• If legal issues arise from unpaid tolls, seek assistance from resources like legal aid offices or attorneys. Don’t let it escalate.

• For out-of-state toll violations, take care of notices quickly to prevent long-distance collections efforts.

If you receive a toll violation notice, act quickly to pay the initial toll and limit penalties. Avoid future issues by setting up electronic toll accounts to pay automatically. Unpaid tolls are not just small debts—they can spiral into substantial legal headaches if disregarded. Meet your responsibilities for toll road usage to steer clear of complications.