New Jersey’s toll road operators have a new way to go after more than $100 million owed by toll cheats — including motorists from other states — under a law enacted by Gov. Phil Murphy earlier this month.  

The new law gives the state’s tolling authorities the ability to enter into reciprocity agreements with their counterparts in other states or have the New Jersey Department of Transportation do so on their behalf.  

That way, penalties can be enforced on motorists in states that decide to cooperate with one another, including as part of efforts to collect unpaid tolls.  

The stakes could be high for all involved: Toll cheats cost tolling authorities in New Jersey an estimated $117 million in 2022, according to the legislators who led the effort to change the law.  

“By creating the opportunity for interstate cooperation, it is my hope we can get some of that money back for the state of New Jersey and help our neighboring states do the same,” said Sen. James Beach (D-Camden). 

Discount on toll debt  

The same law also sets up a process for drivers to appeal a toll violation without having to appear in person in the state where the violation allegedly occurred. It also establishes a 180-day “amnesty” program in New Jersey to allow those with large toll debts to settle up at a discount. 

More on the potential to claw back unpaid tolls

Murphy enacted the law amid a flurry of activity on Jan. 16, the last day the governor had to take action on legislation approved by lawmakers during the final days of the lame-duck session that ended earlier this month.  

It was also approved by Murphy, a second-term Democrat, at a time when tolls have become a hot topic in New Jersey, with many residents continuing to face a series of economic challenges, including inflation and high interest rates. Murphy used gubernatorial veto powers in October to block a planned, 3% toll hike due to go into effect on both the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike on Jan. 1. But the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey hiked tolls earlier this month at the George Washington Bridge and Holland and Lincoln tunnels, and tolls were also just increased on the Atlantic City Expressway.   

‘Through enacting this (law), we can collect revenue from these toll violations that would otherwise be lost.’ — Sen. Brian Stack (D-Hudson)

While the Turnpike Authority, which runs both the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike, is likely the highest-profile tolling authority that currently operates in New Jersey, the new law applies to several other tolling agencies, including the South Jersey Transportation Authority, which runs the Atlantic City Expressway and any county or interstate tolling commissions. 

Under the reciprocity deal established by the new law, written notice would be provided to a driver who resides in one of the participating states and owes tolls to an agency located in any of the other states participating in the agreement, according to a summary distributed by the legislative sponsors of the law.   

From there, motorists would be permitted to appeal a toll charge, if they believe it to be incorrect, and they could present evidence to another state’s toll authority via mail, telephone or electronically, or they could appear before their own local motor vehicle agency, the summary said.  

Six strikes and you’re out  

If a driver has six or more toll violations or has a cumulative unpaid total of $500 or more in tolls and fees over three years, they could face the suspension of their vehicle registration in their home state, according to the legislative sponsors.  

The law also permits the establishment of a 180-day amnesty program, which would allow for the reduction of 25% of unpaid tolls totaling $500 or more if all outstanding tolls are paid in their entirety. 

And there is also a provision that requires any unpaid tolls or fees that end up being collected by the New Jersey Department of Transportation to go directly to the respective tolling authorities, thus prohibiting the revenue from being diverted into the state budget’s general fund. 

Before the measure was signed into law, legislative sponsors highlighted successes other states have had with reciprocity agreements when it comes to collecting unpaid tolls from out-of-state motorists.  

“A reciprocity agreement is a commonsense approach to addressing this prevalent issue,” said Assemblyman William Moen (D-Camden).  

“Through enacting this (law), we can collect revenue from these toll violations that would otherwise be lost,” said Sen. Brian Stack (D-Hudson).