What Happens If You Don’T Pay E-Zpass Tolls?
Unpaid tolls and fees can quickly add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in debt. But what actually happens if you don’t pay your E-ZPass bill? Here’s a quick answer: You’ll receive violations and fees, and nonpayment can eventually lead to your account being sent to collections, registration suspensions, and other serious consequences.
Read on as we fully break down the step-by-step process of what occurs when E-ZPass bills go unpaid.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide a detailed overview of the E-ZPass violation and collections process. We’ll explain how much you can expect to owe for each unpaid toll, the types of fees and penalties that get added to your account balance, how long you have to pay before further action is taken, what happens if you continue to ignore invoices, and how to get your account back in good standing if you act quickly.
Initial Toll Violation Notice
When you fail to pay your E-ZPass tolls, you can expect to receive an Initial Toll Violation Notice. This notice serves as a notification that you have violated the toll payment agreement and have outstanding fees to settle.
Receipt of first notice
Upon detection of a toll violation, the tolling authority will typically mail the first notice to the registered owner of the vehicle. This notice will provide details about the violation, including the date, time, and location of the unpaid toll.
It will also include information on how to pay the toll amount and any associated penalties.
Amount owed per violation
The amount you owe for each toll violation may vary depending on the specific tolling authority and the type of violation committed. In general, the initial toll amount is usually higher than the standard toll fee to account for administrative costs and potential penalties.
It is important to note that the longer you delay payment, the more additional fees and penalties may be added to the original toll amount.
Deadline to pay
Upon receiving the Initial Toll Violation Notice, it is essential to pay the outstanding amount within the specified deadline. The deadline for payment is typically stated in the notice and varies depending on the tolling authority.
Failure to pay within the given timeframe may result in further penalties, such as late fees, collection efforts, or even potential legal action.
It is crucial to take prompt action upon receiving the Initial Toll Violation Notice to avoid any further consequences. Ignoring or delaying payment can lead to additional fees, damage to your credit score, or even potential registration holds on your vehicle.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the notice or need assistance with the payment process, it is advisable to contact the tolling authority directly. They will be able to provide you with the necessary guidance and support to resolve the violation and settle the outstanding amount.
Escalated Fees and Suspension Warning
If you fail to pay your E-ZPass tolls, you may find yourself facing escalated fees and a suspension warning. Ignoring your tolls can have serious consequences, both financially and legally. It’s important to understand what happens if you don’t pay your E-ZPass tolls so that you can take appropriate action.
Second notice with additional fees
After missing your initial payment deadline, you will typically receive a second notice from the toll authority. This notice will include additional fees that have been added to your original toll amount.
These fees can vary depending on your location, but they are typically designed to encourage prompt payment.
For example, in New York State, the second notice includes a $5 late fee in addition to the original toll amount. This fee increases to $25 if payment is not received within 30 days of the second notice.
These additional fees can quickly add up, making it even more important to address your unpaid tolls as soon as possible.
Registration suspension warning
If you continue to ignore your E-ZPass tolls, you may receive a warning that your vehicle registration is at risk of suspension. This means that you will be unable to renew your vehicle registration until your tolls are paid in full.
It’s important to note that registration suspension can impact your ability to legally operate your vehicle.
Having your registration suspended can also lead to further fees and complications. In order to reinstate your registration, you may be required to pay additional fines and penalties. This can be a costly and time-consuming process, so it’s best to address any unpaid tolls before it reaches this point.
Final deadline for payment
If you still haven’t paid your E-ZPass tolls after receiving a registration suspension warning, you will be given a final deadline for payment. This deadline is typically stated in the notice you receive from the toll authority.
Failure to pay by this deadline can result in further legal action and additional consequences.
It’s crucial to take the final deadline seriously and make arrangements to pay your tolls before it passes. If you are unable to pay the full amount at once, consider contacting the toll authority to discuss payment plans or other options that may be available to you.
Remember, it’s always in your best interest to pay your E-ZPass tolls on time. Ignoring them can lead to escalated fees, registration suspension warnings, and potential legal consequences. Stay on top of your toll payments to avoid unnecessary complications and fees.
Registration Suspension and Referral to Collections
When you fail to pay E-ZPass tolls, there are several consequences that you may face. One of the most immediate repercussions is the potential suspension of your vehicle’s registration by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
This means that you will not be able to renew your registration or obtain new license plates until the tolls are paid in full. It’s important to note that registration suspension can apply to all vehicles registered in your name, not just the one involved in the unpaid tolls.
DMV registration suspension
The DMV takes toll payment seriously and has the authority to suspend your vehicle’s registration if you don’t pay your E-ZPass tolls. This can be a major inconvenience as it prevents you from legally driving your vehicle on public roads.
In order to have your registration reinstated, you will need to pay the outstanding tolls, as well as any additional fees or penalties that may have been incurred.
Referral to collections agency
If you continue to ignore your E-ZPass tolls, the toll agency may choose to refer your unpaid tolls to a collections agency. This means that a third-party organization will take over the responsibility of collecting the debt on behalf of the toll agency.
Once your tolls are in collections, you may receive letters, phone calls, or even legal notices demanding payment. It’s important to address the situation promptly to avoid further complications.
Further damage to credit score
Unpaid tolls that are referred to a collections agency can have a negative impact on your credit score. Collections agencies have the ability to report the debt to credit bureaus, which can result in a lower credit score.
A lower credit score can make it more difficult for you to obtain loans, credit cards, or even secure housing or employment in the future. It’s crucial to take action and resolve any outstanding tolls to protect your creditworthiness.
Remember, it’s always best to pay your E-ZPass tolls on time to avoid these consequences. If you are struggling to pay your tolls, reach out to the toll agency to discuss possible payment plans or other options that may be available to you.
Getting Your E-ZPass Account Back in Good Standing
Paying off the balance
If you fail to pay E-ZPass tolls, it is important to take action as soon as possible to avoid further consequences. The first step is to pay off the balance that you owe. This can typically be done online through the E-ZPass website or by contacting their customer service.
It is important to note that the longer you wait to pay, the more fees and penalties may accrue, so it’s best to address the issue promptly.
When paying off the balance, it is a good idea to review your account to ensure that all charges are accurate. Mistakes can happen, and you don’t want to pay for something you didn’t actually use. If you believe there is an error, contact E-ZPass customer service and they will assist you in resolving the issue.
Reactivating your account
Once you have paid off the balance, you will need to reactivate your E-ZPass account. This is an important step to ensure that you can continue using your E-ZPass for future tolls. Reactivating your account is usually a straightforward process that can be done online or by contacting customer service.
During the reactivation process, you may be required to update your payment information or provide any necessary documentation. It is important to follow the instructions provided by E-ZPass to ensure a smooth reactivation process.
Avoiding issues in the future
To avoid running into issues with your E-ZPass account in the future, it is important to stay on top of your toll payments. Set up automatic payments if possible to ensure that your account is always in good standing.
Regularly check your account balance and review your transactions to catch any errors or discrepancies.
Additionally, make sure that your E-ZPass account information is up to date. If you change your address or payment information, be sure to update it in your account to avoid any potential issues with billing or communication.
Remember, having an E-ZPass can save you time and money on tolls, but it is important to use it responsibly and keep your account in good standing. By paying off any outstanding balances, reactivating your account, and staying proactive about your toll payments, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free E-ZPass experience.
Conclusion
If you receive an E-ZPass violation notice, it’s important to resolve the issue right away before penalties escalate. An unpaid toll quickly multiplies to hundreds of dollars in fees. Allowing your account to be referred to collections can seriously harm your credit score for years into the future.
The good news is that if you communicate with E-ZPass customer service and pay your balances promptly, you can usually get back into good account standing easily. Don’t let an unpaid toll spiral out of control. Handle E-ZPass violations responsibly.
