Did you know you can have your vehicle registration suspended in New York for not paying tolls, fees or other Tolling Authority charges related to three or more violations within a five-year period? Also, your license plate can be suspended if you owe $200 or more within five years. Driving a vehicle with suspended license plate is a misdemeanor, meaning it’s punishable under criminal law. You can be imprisoned, pay hefty fines or both.
Use eTags© to Quickly Complete Your DMV Service. Renewals, Title Transfers and More, All Online!
The NYS Thruway Authority, the MTA and Port Authority of NY and New Jersey make up the tolling authority that issues toll violations
What is considered a toll violation in New York State?
E-ZPass is the electronic toll collection system that you can find across roads, bridges, and tunnels in many parts of the U.S., including NY. It allows drivers to attach a transponder on the inside of their vehicle so that it communicates with toll system to pay fees automatically. The E-ZPass system replaced the old manual way of throwing coins in the netted bin for tolls.
If you don’t think the toll violations are yours, you can contact the E-ZPass Customer Service Center to speak to a specialist
New York State drivers can get toll violations which in turn can result in a registration suspensions. If you don’t pay your toll fees, the state can stop you from renewing your license plate which means you’re not allowed to legally drive on public roads. So what’s considered a toll violation?
SEE ALSO: STATE FINES & PENALTIES FOR SUSPENDED OR REVOKED DRIVER’S LICENSE
• Toll bill: if you owe money on your E-ZPass toll account
• Evading tolls: if you go thru a toll and don’t have your valid E-ZPass tag mounted
• Not enough funds in your tag: when your tag is below zero dollars and you go thru an E-ZPass Only lane
• Mismatching of vehicle class: if your car classification tag doesn’t match with your actual car like for example if you drive a pickup truck but have a pass for a passenger car
• Exceeding speed limit: when you drive over the speed limit thru tolls
How do you know if you have a registration suspension in New York State?
Pretty simple! You can expect to get a NYS DMV Notice of Registration Suspension. If you pay up at least five days before the suspension date becomes effective, then your suspension is cleared.
All tolling authorities have their own customer support: Port Authority NY/NJ is 718.313.9425, NYS Thruway is 718.313.9414, and MTA Bridges/Tunnels is 718.313.9424
How do you resolve a suspended license plate?
Once your toll violations are paid and received by the E-ZPass NY Customer Service Center, the New York State DMV will notify you that your registration suspension was cleared.
If payment is received less than five days before suspension is effective, registration may still be suspended… until of course your payment is processed, and suspension cleared. You can check the status of your vehicle registration at dmv.ny.com. Should you choose to resolve any toll or need extra explanation about your situation, just make sure to reach out to the right tolling authority. You can find the appropriate authority on your notice of suspension.
After suspension is cleared
Before renewing your NY license plate or registering a vehicle for the first time, you must ensure there are no toll violations on your record or registration suspension. If all is clear, you can get your registration card, license plate, and sticker online with eTags. Just follow a few prompts to submit multiple details about your vehicle and enter your address so all the right paperwork can be mailed. No DMV appointment, no line!
7 comments
I had a suspended license for fees for NYS Thruway. I paid $2900, but I am now being told I owe $13000 to MTA. Aren’t these all the same entity?
I check the online violation portal and it says I have no outstanding violations. So, why did MTA tell me over the phone I owe $13k?
Thank you for your question. This would be a question for New york State. I wouldn’t take the word of anyone over the phone. Make a request for correspondence in writing and verify with the DMV to see if you’ve satisfied any violations preventing you from holding a valid license. If your license is suspended or reinstated, you’ll receive it in writing for from the DMV. I hope this helps.
I work for New York State OMH and during the pandemic I was told by my union that if I drove to work everyday I will be enrolled in a commuter benefit program well long story short I drove over the bridge from the Bronx to Brooklyn every day for a year gave all information of registration plates was told by Union would be given to the commuter benefit program all tolls will be paid I got sick had a brain leak they never paid did an appeal an affidavit appeal and the judge still denied it now my registration is going to be suspended in 4 days I do not have $5,000 to give can someone help
Hello,
I’m sorry to hear about this. It sounds like you need a lawyer although I don’t think anything would happen within the next 4 days that would prevent the suspension. If you’ve got an agreement in writing that you were enrolled in the commuter benefit program, I would seek out legal counsel and pursue this further. Good luck!
Wow I’m having the almost the same problem my went to a collection the made a settlement agreement from 4500 to 2480 and was told my suspicion would lift and I call to pay I got some who said this is not true n if I pay the settlement it’s only for mta bridges and tunnels but I still have to pay 4500 to port Authority!im sitting like I don’t really drive I was going back n forward to the cemetery in New Jersey because my friend pass last year but to own both noway almost 9,000 in tops show just had the car 2 years
I owe significant back tolls. I spoke to MTA regarding these tolls a few months ago and they said the extra fees could be waved and I could pay the 5.70 on the Verrazano as I am a Staten Island resident. Now it’s 20 percent which is 4 times as much and is totally unaffordable. They want 3000 down and close to 1000 a month. I can’t do this is there anyone who can help me. I have until October 20 th to settle this and I need to drive to work in queens. I could do 400 to 500 a month and 1500 down. Can you advice me ??? Would a lawyer help ??
Hi there,
I wish I had better news for you! Unfortunately, you’ll only be able to negotiate these terms directly with MTA or whoever issued the tickets. You might be better assisted by reaching out to a lawyer or a ticket clinic. Good luck!