Tolling 101 – Electronic Tolling on the Pennsylvania Turnpike

Amid the 24-hour news cycle and digitally enabled mis-and disinformation surges, distinguishing fact from fiction can be challenging. That’s before factoring in tolling industry complexities and operational structures that vary by agency and state.

To provide clarity on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, we have pulled together a series to address and correct some of the most common misconceptions or myths.

In this edition, we are deconstructing the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s electronic tolling and revenue enforcement efforts.

Key Takeaways:

• No Cash Accepted: The PA Turnpike is cashless; you cannot pay with cash on the roadway.
• Mount Your E-ZPass Properly: Holding it up by hand is unsafe and may result in read failures.
• Toll By Plate: If you don’t have E-ZPass, you will receive an invoice by mail.
• Rental Cars: You can add rental cars to your E-ZPass account temporarily to avoid high fees from rental agencies.

With All-Electronic Tolling, Customers Just Drive Through. Isn't It A Simple Operation?

While All-Electronic Tolling automates the toll collection process for an easy customer experience, this process involves many steps by employees behind the scenes. Equipment on the gantry and in the roadway classifies and identifies the vehicle, but no personal data is stored on the roadway.

Processing E-ZPass and Toll By Plate payments includes account matching, image processing, user data protection and customer support for inquiries and disputes.  The PA Turnpike Commission also has systems and people in place to detect, address and rectify mistakes should they occur – whether due to technology or user error.

How Does The Tolling Process Work For Toll By Plate Customers?

For customers not using E-ZPass, cameras on the roadway capture images of vehicles travelling on the PA Turnpike, which are processed to identify the license plate.  Then, the Turnpike will issue an invoice to the registered owner of the vehicle within 30 days of travel.

Customers can conveniently pay the invoice online, by phone, through the mail, using the PA Toll Pay App, through the cash-payment network, or by walk-in at our Harrisburg Customer Service Center.  Customers who wish to pay cash can also use a retailer available through one of KUBRA’s expanded network. Customers must pay within 30 days to avoid a late fee.  

Customers who pre-register their Toll By Plate account online with their vehicle information and automatic payment method before hitting the road can save 15% on invoices and receive an invoice via e-mail, if an e-mail address is registered with the account.

Customers can also easily manage their account – whether E-ZPass, Toll By Plate or Registered Toll By Plate – through the PA Toll App for easier management of invoices and access to customer service.

Why Do I Need a Transponder If You Can Read My Plate?

A properly mounted E-ZPass transponder ensures seamless travel and supports accurate billing on the PA Turnpike. A transponder is the most accurate way to identify vehicles for toll collection and all E-ZPass customers should keep them mounted in their vehicles to ensure accurate and timely billing to their E-ZPass account.

Can’t I Just Wave My Transponder? Why Do I Need To Mount It?

Removing your hands from the steering wheel to wave a transponder under a toll point is unsafe and compromises the safety of both the driver and the traveling public. To ensure accuracy and that your transponder is read at the correct time, it must be mounted. With the implementation of Open Road Tolling across the PA Turnpike System the need for mounting is even more critical, your transponder is being read more often than in the old system and is read while your vehicle is going highway speeds.

How Should I Mount My E-ZPass Transponder?

Mount the transponder horizontally inside on a clean, dry windshield, behind the rear-view mirror, one inch below any tinting or shaded area. Use glass cleaner to prepare the surface. Remove the plastic from the mounting strips and press the transponder firmly with the E-ZPass logo facing you. If your transponder has suction cups, press them firmly against the glass, moistening slightly with water if needed for better adhesion.

Why Did I Get a Toll Violation When I Have An E-ZPass?

The PA Turnpike does not issue toll violations. E-ZPass customers may receive a Toll By Plate Invoice if their transponder is missing, improperly mounted, or malfunctioning. Other causes may include unlisted license plates, insufficient funds, expired or outdated credit card on file, a transponder that was reported lost or stolen, or an inactive account.

To avoid being billed at higher costs, customers should properly mount their transponders, list all vehicle license plates on their E-ZPass account, and keep account financial information up to date.

Updates are easy with the “PA Toll Pay” app or by contacting the Customer Service Center at 1-877-736-6727, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Can I Dispute A Toll Charge?

Yes, all customers can dispute a charge if they do not believe it is accurate. Pennsylvania Turnpike customers with an E-ZPass account can dispute transactions within 90 days of travel by contacting our Customer Service Center, either by phone, the PA Toll App or the PA Turnpike’s website. Toll By Plate customers can dispute an invoice by following the appeal process, which is included in every invoice.

What Measures Have Been Taken to Address Unreadable License Plates And Improve Toll Collection?

Since 2020, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission reduced unbillable transactions due to unreadable license plates, which make up 1.4% of total transactions, by 27%. Targeted initiatives include proactive E-ZPass transponder replacement, enhanced commercial vehicle identification processes and increased system check frequency. We also perform equipment testing to improve its effectiveness at reading through license plate covers.

Is The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Losing Money Due to Open Road Tolling Or Electronic Toll Collection?

No. Revenue collection remains on track. While a cashless system can have additional costs to support processing and enforcement, those were factored into the Toll By Plate rate when it was initially set. In general, All-Electronic Tolling improves efficiency and is expected to lead to more sustainable toll collection.

Doesn't All-Electronic Tolling Just Make It Easier For Individuals Not To Pay Tolls?

Since implementing All-Electronic Tolling in June 2020, we successfully and consistently collect approximately 92-94% of all transactions within 150 days. Despite collection rates being within industry standards, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is committed to holding those accountable who do not pay their toll. We have a three-tiered, escalating approach to encourage customer toll payments, specifically targeting habitual offenders who intentionally choose not to pay. We continue to work with the Pennsylvania Legislature, Pennsylvania State Police and the Attorney General’s office to enact more significant deterrents.

Wouldn’t Adding Toll Collectors Back Address This?

Toll roads with toll collectors still face toll evasion, as did the PA Turnpike prior to All-Electronic Tolling. AET and Open Road Tolling meet customer preference for electronic payments while allowing for greater safety, mobility and access while decreasing environmental impacts. Removing toll plazas allows for a more natural, free traffic flow, and with the rise of aggressive and distracted driving, ORT improves safety not only for the traveling public, but also for our employees.

Does The Open Road Tolling Equipment Capture Speed Or Track My Movements?

The tolling equipment is used for toll collection. Traffic law and speed enforcement remains under Pennsylvania State Police jurisdiction.

How Does The PA Turnpike Commission Justify The Jump In Toll Dollars Uncollected?

The percentage of uncollected transactions, or “leakage” remains within 6-7%, which aligns with national standards. The dollar amount of leakage increases naturally as the dollar amount of collected revenue increases. This is due to a variety of factors, including toll rates, traffic growth, the Toll By Plate surcharge and changing traffic mix on the roadway. For this reason, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission focuses on percentage for a more accurate measure of collection efforts.

Why Don't You Accept Cash?

The Pennsylvania Turnpike moved to a cashless system in 2020 to meet the demands of our customers, who increasingly expect seamless, convenient and safe travel.

While cash payments are no longer accepted at toll booths, as they are being removed with Open Road Tolling, customers still have the option to use cash to make a toll payment at more than 85,000 retail locations across the Commonwealth and throughout the United States through KUBRA. This option is available to customers when accessing their account online or via the PA Turnpike’s on-the-go account management app, PA Toll Pay. After selecting from a list of nearby participating retailers, customers must generate and print a "Pay Slip” — which includes a $1.50 service fee — before using at a 7-11 at one of the PA Turnpike’s service plazas or stopping at the retail location to make a PA Turnpike toll payment in cash. For more detailed instructions, visit Cash Payments.

 What Happens To Those Who Drive the PA Turnpike Without Paying?

Those refusing to pay after 60 days are referred to a collection agency, PennDOT for registration suspension, the Attorney General’s Office, or court action. Driving with a suspended registration is a serious violation that can result in additional fines, license suspension and car impoundment.

Those who do not want to pay for tolls have access to non-tolled highways and local roads funded by tax dollars. The Pennsylvania Turnpike receives no tax dollars and is funded by its customers paying tolls.

How Can I Determine What My Tolls Are Going To Be?

Tolls can be calculated using the PA Turnpike’s online Toll Calculator. It factors in entry and exit points, vehicle class, and payment method (E-ZPass or Toll By Plate), showing the cost difference. The toll calculator only applies to Pennsylvania Turnpike roadways.

Visit our Toll Calculator before your next trip.

How Can I Add A Rental Vehicle To My E-ZPass Account?

You may add a rental vehicle to your E-ZPass account provided that it is a passenger vehicle and that it is added before travel. Log into your E-ZPass account or use the PA Toll Pay app, mark the vehicle as a rental, input the license plate number, state, and rental period (start and end date and time). Mount the transponder in the rental vehicle during travel and remove it upon return. The rental vehicle will be removed from your account on the specified date and time that you provide. If rental start and end date change, you must update the account to accurately reflect those dates.

Always remember to check with the rental company for toll payment policies before traveling. Customers are responsible for any tolls incurred while the rental vehicle is listed on their account. For more information, visit the Rental Vehicles page on our website.