Getting an EZ-Pass violation notice in the mail can be a frustrating experience, especially if you weren’t the one driving the vehicle at the time of the violation. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to know your rights and options for disputing the violation.
What is an EZ-Pass Violation?
An EZ-Pass violation occurs when a vehicle passes through an electronic toll collection (ETC) lane without paying the required toll. ETC lanes are typically used on highways and bridges to allow drivers to pay tolls without stopping.
EZ-Pass is a system that uses a transponder mounted on the vehicle’s windshield to automatically pay tolls. When a vehicle with an EZ-Pass transponder passes through an ETC lane, the transponder communicates with a roadside unit to deduct the toll from the driver’s EZ-Pass account.
What to Do if You Receive an EZ-Pass Violation Notice
If you receive an EZ-Pass violation notice, the first step is to review the notice carefully. The notice should include information about the violation, including the date, time, and location of the violation, as well as the amount of the fine.
If you believe that you were not the driver of the vehicle at the time of the violation, you can dispute the violation by following the instructions on the notice. You will typically need to provide proof that you were not the driver, such as a copy of your driver’s license or a statement from the person who was driving the vehicle.
Tips for Disputing an EZ-Pass Violation
Here are some tips for disputing an EZ-Pass violation:
- Act quickly. You typically have a limited amount of time to dispute an EZ-Pass violation, so it’s important to act quickly.
- Gather evidence. Collect any evidence that you can to support your claim that you were not the driver of the vehicle at the time of the violation.
- Be prepared to provide a statement. You may be asked to provide a written statement explaining why you believe that you were not the driver of the vehicle.
- Follow the instructions on the violation notice. The notice will provide instructions on how to dispute the violation. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully.
EZ-Pass Violation Fees
The amount of the fine for an EZ-Pass violation varies depending on the state or agency that issued the violation. In general, the fine will be the amount of the unpaid toll, plus an administrative fee.
If you fail to pay an EZ-Pass violation, you may be subject to additional penalties, such as late fees or suspension of your EZ-Pass account.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What if I don’t have an EZ-Pass transponder? If you don’t have an EZ-Pass transponder, you can still be held liable for an EZ-Pass violation if you pass through an ETC lane without paying the toll.
- What if I was driving a rental car? If you were driving a rental car at the time of the violation, you may be able to provide the rental car company with the violation notice and they will handle the dispute.
- What if I sold my car? If you sold your car before the violation occurred, you can provide the new owner with the violation notice and they will be responsible for disputing the violation.
- What if I’m not sure who was driving my car? If you’re not sure who was driving your car at the time of the violation, you can contact your local police department to file a report.
- What if I’ve been getting multiple EZ-Pass violation notices for the same incident? If you’ve been getting multiple EZ-Pass violation notices for the same incident, you can contact the agency that issued the violations to have them combined into a single violation.
- What if I have any other questions? If you have any other questions about EZ-Pass violations, you can contact the agency that issued the violation.