Received a Toll By Plate Invoice in the Mail? Here’s Why.

Quick Summary:

• Toll By Plate invoices are mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner when a vehicle travels the PA Turnpike without a valid E-ZPass transponder or updated account.
• E-ZPass customers may still receive invoices due to common issues.
• Charges can be disputed by following the appeal instructions on the invoice.
• Legitimate invoices are mailed and contain vehicle and toll details.
• Payment options are flexible, and discounts are available.
  

You open your mailbox and find an invoice from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

Whether it arrives weeks after travel or shows up unexpectedly despite having an E-ZPass account, in most cases, there’s a straightforward explanation for why a Toll By Plate invoice was generated.

So why did you receive a Toll By Plate invoice?

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is a cashless tolling system. After years of study and successful pilot programs across the roadway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (Commission) transitioned to systemwide All-Electronic Tolling in 2020. Since then, customers no longer stop at a toll booth to take a ticket and pay with cash.

 Instead, tolls are processed as E-ZPass or Toll By Plate.

How Toll By Plate Works

If you traveled on the PA Turnpike without a valid E-ZPass transponder or updated account, cameras at our tolling points capture an image of your vehicle’s license plate. That plate is used to identify the vehicle’s registered owner, and a Toll By Plate invoice is mailed to the address associated with the vehicle registration.

Receiving one or several invoices weeks after a trip is normal. Invoice processing takes approximately 45 days and may include multiple trips made during the billing period.

Toll By Plate invoices are mailed to the registered owner's address on file, so outdated registration information can prevent an invoice from reaching you promptly. If you have recently moved, make sure the address associated with your vehicle registration matches your current residence.

Invoices include information to help you understand Toll By Plate charges, including your vehicle’s license plate, travel activity, amount due, payment options and instructions for disputing a charge.

But I Have an E-ZPass. Why did I Receive an Invoice?

There are several reasons why your trip may not have been charged automatically with E-ZPass.

You could receive a Toll By Plate invoice if:

• Your transponder wasn’t in the vehicle or wasn't mounted properly
• The vehicle's license plate isn't listed correctly on your E-ZPass account
• Your vehicle’s license plate is dirty, damaged or blocked
• Your E-ZPass account didn't have sufficient funds
• Your transponder is no longer working properly

That's why it's important to keep your vehicle, license plate, address and payment information current on your E-ZPass account.

Don't forget your transponder. While license-plate information can help us identify an E-ZPass customer when a transponder isn't read, having a properly mounted, working transponder in the vehicle is the best way to make sure your trip is charged correctly.

If you're an E-ZPass customer and receive a Toll By Plate invoice, don't ignore it. Review the invoice and follow the appeal instructions if you believe the trip should have been charged to your E-ZPass account.

Think There’s a Mistake? You can Dispute it.

Receiving an invoice doesn't mean you can't question a charge.

All Toll By Plate invoices include instructions for filing an appeal. Appeals may be appropriate if you're an E-ZPass customer, the vehicle was rented or leased, or you believe there is an error on the invoice.

You can also contact the PA Turnpike Customer Service Center for assistance.

The important thing is to take action before the due date by paying the invoice or disputing a charge you believe is incorrect.

An initial Toll By Plate invoice must be paid or resolved within 30 days. If it isn't, past-due invoices are issued and late fees may be added. Invoices that remain unpaid after 60 days can be sent to collections, and continuing to leave tolls unpaid can ultimately result in additional enforcement action.

The sooner you review the invoice, the easier it is to address any questions.

Make Sure it's Really from us

Toll scams have become increasingly common, particularly through unsolicited text messages claiming that you owe an unpaid toll.

A legitimate Toll By Plate invoice is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle and includes information about the vehicle and toll activity.

If you receive an unexpected text or email demanding immediate toll payment, don't click the link. Instead, go directly to the official PA Turnpike website or contact the Customer Service Center to verify whether you have an outstanding balance.

Ready to Pay? You Have Options.

Our goal is to make paying your invoice as easy as possible.

Toll By Plate invoices can be paid online, through the PA Toll Pay app, by phone or by mail. Payment options include credit cards, check or money order, and cash-payment options available through one of KUBRA’s expanded networks.

Your invoice provides all the information to get started.

If you regularly travel the PA Turnpike, consider E-ZPass. In addition to eliminating the need to wait for an invoice in the mail, E-ZPass offers the lowest toll rate available to PA Turnpike customers.

Don’t want to sign up for an E-ZPass but still want a discount? 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 invoices via email, if an email address is registered with the account.

Whether you're paying an invoice, questioning a charge or trying to prevent another unexpected bill, we're here to help you understand your toll charges and resolve issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Toll By Plate work?
Cameras at PA Turnpike tolling points photograph your license plate, which helps the identify the registered owner, and an invoice is mailed to the address on your vehicle registration.

How long does it take to receive a Toll By Plate invoice?
Invoice processing takes approximately 45 days, and a single invoice may cover multiple trips from the billing period.

Why did I get a Toll By Plate invoice if I have E-ZPass?
Common causes include a transponder that wasn't in the vehicle or mounted correctly, a plate not listed on your account, a dirty or blocked plate, insufficient funds, or a failed transponder.

Can I dispute a PA Turnpike Toll By Plate invoice?
Yes. Every invoice includes appeal instructions. Appeals are appropriate for E-ZPass customers, rented or leased vehicles, and suspected errors.

Is Toll By Plate more expensive than E-ZPass?
Yes. E-ZPass offers the lowest toll rate available. Pre-registering a Toll By Plate account with vehicle and payment information saves 15% on invoices.