PA Toll By Plate is a cashless toll system used on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It charges drivers who do not have an E-ZPass transponder. A camera snaps a picture of your license plate. The system then mails a bill to the address on your car registration. You can pay the bill online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
What Is the PA Toll By Plate System?
PA Toll By Plate is a video tolling program run by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. It started in 2020 when the Turnpike went cashless. Now every toll booth has been replaced with overhead cameras called gantries. There are no cash lanes and no ticket machines. Drivers who use E-ZPass pay a lower rate. Drivers without E-ZPass pay a higher rate through the Toll By Plate program.
- Full name: Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll By Plate
- Started: 2020 on the entire PA Turnpike
- Used on: PA Turnpike (I-76, I-70, I-476, I-95)
- Run by: Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
How the PA Toll By Plate System Works
When you drive under a toll gantry, a camera takes a clear photo of your front license plate. The system reads the plate number with high accuracy, even at highway speed. It works in rain, snow, fog, and at night. The plate number is then matched to your vehicle registration in the Pennsylvania DMV database. The Turnpike Commission mails a Toll By Plate invoice to the address on file with PennDOT.
Step-by-Step Process
- You drive through a toll gantry without E-ZPass.
- A high-speed camera takes a photo of your license plate.
- The system reads the plate and finds your DMV address.
- An invoice is created and mailed within 30 days.
- You pay the toll plus a small admin fee online or by mail.
PA Toll By Plate vs E-ZPass: Cost Comparison
E-ZPass is the cheaper option. Toll By Plate costs more because it adds a video surcharge. Here is a side-by-side look at the two systems.
| Feature | E-ZPass | Toll By Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Toll Rate | Lower rate | Higher rate (about 45% more) |
| Payment | Auto-deduct from prepaid account | Mailed invoice |
| Transponder Needed | Yes | No |
| Late Fee | None | $5 to $50+ |
| Best For | Frequent drivers | Occasional drivers and out-of-state visitors |
For most drivers, E-ZPass saves money over time. The transponder costs $38 and works across 19 states. If you drive the PA Turnpike more than a few times a year, E-ZPass pays for itself.
How to Pay Your PA Toll By Plate Invoice
You have four ways to pay a Toll By Plate bill. The fastest way is online through the official PA Turnpike toll payment portal. You can also pay by phone, by mail, or in person at a service center.
1. Pay Online (Fastest)
Go to the PA Turnpike website and click Toll By Plate. Enter your invoice number and license plate. Pay with a credit card, debit card, or bank account. The payment posts right away.
2. Pay by Phone
Call 1-877-736-6727. Have your invoice number and plate number ready. Pay with a card. The line is open 24/7.
3. Pay by Mail
Send a check or money order with the payment stub to: PA Turnpike Toll By Plate, PO Box 645631, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-5254. Mail it at least 7 days before the due date.
4. Pay in Person
Visit the E-ZPass Customer Service PA Commercial Account Details Center at 300 East Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17111. Bring your invoice and a photo ID.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay a PA Toll By Plate Invoice
Missing a PA toll payment leads to fines and bigger problems. The Turnpike sends a late notice first, then a violation. After four unpaid tolls or $250 owed, PennDOT puts a hold on your vehicle registration. You cannot renew your tags until you pay the full amount. The debt can also go to a collection agency, which hurts your credit score.
- Late fee: $5 added after 30 days
- Violation notice: $25 to $50 per toll
- Registration hold: 4+ violations or $250+ owed
- Collection: Sent to agency after 90 days
- Court action: Possible for large unpaid balances
PA Toll Roads That Use Toll By Plate
Cashless tolling with Toll By Plate is active on every PA Turnpike road. Here is the full list of toll roads in Pennsylvania that bill you by plate.
- Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76, I-70, I-476)
- Northeast Extension (I-476)
- Mon-Fayette Expressway
- Beaver Valley Expressway
- Delaware River Bridge (I-95 connector)
- Amish Country Pickle (PA Route 29)
Bridges like the Delaware River Bridge also use plate capture. Complete Ohio Dispute Guide Rental cars often pass through these gantries, and the bill goes to the rental company, which then charges your card with a daily fee.
Out-of-State Drivers and PA Toll By Plate
If you drive through Pennsylvania from another state, you still get a Toll By Plate bill. The invoice is mailed to the address on your car title. Make sure your home DMV has your current address. Out-of-state E-ZPass works in Pennsylvania and saves you the higher plate rate. You can also pay the PA toll invoice online from any state with a credit card.
How to Dispute a PA Toll By Plate Charge
You can dispute a toll if it is wrong, charged after you sold the car, or sent to the wrong person. Call PA Turnpike customer service or submit a dispute online. You will need proof, such as a bill of sale, lease transfer, or photos. The Turnpike reviews disputes within 30 days. If approved, the charge is removed.
PA Turnpike Customer Service and Contact Details
Official Website: paturnpike.com
Toll By Plate Portal: paturnpike.com/toll-by-plate
Phone: 1-877-736-6727 (24/7)
Customer Service Center: 300 East Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17111
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Mailing Address: PA Turnpike Toll By Plate, PO Box 645631, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-5254
Frequently Asked Questions About PA Toll By Plate
These questions cover the most common things drivers ask about PA tolls, missed payments, out-of-state travel, and the dispute process. Each answer gives a clear, direct response based on current Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission rules.
How long does it take to get a PA Toll By Plate invoice in the mail?
Most PA Toll By Plate invoices arrive within 30 days of your trip. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission prints and mails the bill once the system matches your plate to your vehicle registration. If you do not get an invoice after 30 days, check your address on file with PennDOT. You can also look up unpaid tolls online using your license plate number on the official PA Turnpike toll payment website.
Can I pay a PA toll without an invoice number?
Yes. You can pay a PA toll by entering your license plate number and state on the official Turnpike toll payment portal. The system shows all unpaid tolls linked to that plate. You can pay them one at a time or all at once with a credit card, debit card, or bank account. Paying early often avoids late fees and violation notices.
What is the grace period for paying a PA Toll By Plate bill?
PA Toll By Plate bills have a 30-day grace period. Virginia Locations Services You must pay the full amount within 30 days of the invoice date to avoid a $5 late fee. After 30 days, the bill becomes a violation. A violation adds $25 to $50 per toll. Pay on time through the PA Turnpike online portal to keep your record clean.
Does E-ZPass from another state work in Pennsylvania?
Yes. E-ZPass is accepted in 19 states. Any E-ZPass transponder from states like New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland, or West Virginia works on the PA Turnpike. You will pay the lower E-ZPass rate, not the higher Toll By Plate rate. Make sure your home E-ZPass account has a positive balance before you travel through Pennsylvania.
What happens if I get a PA toll bill for a car I sold?
If you receive a toll bill for a vehicle you no longer own, contact the PA Turnpike customer service center at 1-877-736-6727. Send a copy of the bill of sale, title transfer, or lease return receipt. The Commission removes the toll from your record. Always remove your license plates when you sell a car to avoid future plate-based charges.
How much does a PA toll violation cost?
A PA toll violation starts at $25 per unpaid toll. Explore Maryland Discount Plans The fine increases to $50 if not paid within 60 days. You also owe the original toll amount. After four violations or $250 in unpaid tolls, PennDOT places a registration hold on your vehicle. You cannot renew your tags until all tolls and fines are paid in full.
Can I use the PA Turnpike without E-ZPass as a tourist?
Yes. Tourists can drive the PA Turnpike without E-ZPass. You will be billed through the Toll By Plate program. The invoice goes to the address on your car registration. Pay the bill online at the official PA Turnpike website within 30 days. For longer stays, buy an E-ZPass at a Pennsylvania service plaza or order one online before your trip.