Ohio Turnpike to Crack Down on Unpaid Tolls: What Commercial Truck Drivers Need to Know

Attention truck drivers: the grace period is almost over.  Beginning February 2025, the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission will implement strict measures to address unpaid tolls, including late fees, collections, and even vehicle registration holds.  If you’ve driven on the Ohio Turnpike without paying your tolls, now is the time to settle your account.

Here’s what you need to know about the new policies and how they may impact commercial trucking operations.

Open Road Tolling: The Grace Period Is Over

In April 2024, the Ohio Turnpike introduced a new open road tolling system to streamline toll collection.  This system allows vehicles to pass through toll lanes without stopping, with tolls automatically deducted for E-ZPass users or invoiced by mail for non-E-ZPass drivers.

However, the transition wasn’t without challenges.  Many drivers, including commercial truck operators, either misunderstood or ignored the new system, resulting in nearly 347,000 unpaid toll transactions between April and December 2024.

Recognizing the learning curve, the Ohio Turnpike suspended late fees and other penalties during a grace period.  But that leniency ends in February 2025.

Key Dates and Penalties

The Ohio Turnpike Commission has announced the following enforcement measures starting in February:

Late Fees Begin February 3, 2025

·        E-ZPass Lane Violations: Drivers who fail to pay their first invoice within 30 days will see a $5 late fee added to each unpaid toll.

·        Cash/Credit Lane Violations: Drivers handed a toll notice but fail to pay within 30 days will incur a $5 administrative fee.  A second notice with an additional $5 late fee per toll will follow if the balance remains unpaid.

Collections and Vehicle Registration Holds Begin February 10, 2025

·        Unpaid Invoices: Toll accounts with balances unpaid for 90 days will be sent to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for collections.

·        Registration Holds: The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) will place holds on vehicle registrations for drivers with unpaid tolls.  This means you won’t be able to renew your registration until the tolls are paid.

Exemptions:

·        Drivers involved in active hearings or disputes over toll invoices will not face collections or registration holds during the resolution process.

The Impact on Commercial Truck Drivers

For commercial truck drivers, these penalties could have significant operational and financial implications:

1.        Registration Holds: If your truck registration is on hold due to unpaid tolls, it could disrupt your ability to operate legally, affecting delivery schedules and customer commitments.

2.        Increased Costs: Late fees and administrative charges will add to your operational expenses, especially for fleet operators managing multiple vehicles.

3.        Legal Consequences: Accounts sent to collections could damage credit standings and result in legal proceedings, adding more stress to business operations.

Why Compliance Matters

The Ohio Turnpike is a critical corridor for commercial trucking, facilitating the movement of goods across the Midwest.  Non-compliance with toll policies can create unnecessary delays and financial burdens for drivers and trucking companies alike.

Additionally, unpaid tolls and resulting penalties can damage your reputation as a professional driver or carrier, affecting your relationships with clients, brokers, and regulators.

Best Practices for Truck Drivers and Fleet Managers

To avoid these penalties and keep your operations running smoothly:

1.        Get an E-ZPass: Simplify toll payments by installing an E-ZPass transponder in your vehicle.  This eliminates the risk of unpaid toll invoices.

2.        Monitor Your Invoices: Regularly check for mailed invoices and settle them promptly to avoid late fees.

3.        Communicate With the Turnpike Commission: If you believe there’s an error with your toll charges, initiate a dispute before penalties escalate.

4.        Educate Your Team: Fleet managers should ensure all drivers are familiar with the Ohio Turnpike’s tolling policies to avoid violations.

With the grace period over, the Ohio Turnpike is taking a firm stance on unpaid tolls.  For commercial truck drivers, these changes underscore the importance of staying compliant with tolling regulations.

Don’t let unpaid tolls jeopardize your operations or finances.  Pay your balances now, implement tools like E-ZPass to streamline future payments, and stay informed about tolling policies to keep your business running smoothly.

For more information or to settle your toll payments, visit the Ohio Turnpike website.

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