EZ Pass provides discounts at numerous NYC bridges and tunnels connecting Manhattan to the outer boroughs and New Jersey, as well as on toll highways like the New York Thruway. It also allows you to minimize waiting time passing through tolls.
To get one, you need to agree to abide by the E-ZPass License Agreement Terms & Conditions including that you will approach and pass through E-Z Pass-only lanes at or below the posted speed limit. For a first EZ Pass speeding violation, the Violation Processing Unit will usually issue a warning letter with a 60-day probationary period. See sample letter below.
For a second violation, you will likely be suspended for 60 days, and for a third violation your suspension can be extended or you can lose your EZ pass all together.
Note that these penalties are based on speeding while using any EZ pass tag assigned to your account (not just the one which resulted in the first letter).
The good news is that getting caught speeding through an EZ pass lane is not a moving violation and will not appear on your driver license or affect your auto insurance rates (except if a police officer actually issues you a traffic ticket for speeding and you are convicted of that charge).
To sign up for an EZ Pass, call 1-800-333-8655 or visit www.e-zpassny.com
25 Comments. Leave new
I read somewhere that if you get a “first” warning letter that it only applies for six months. In other words, if you get caught speeding again within six months of the first letter, you can get the 60 day suspension. If you get caught speeding again more than six months after the letter, it revers to a regular warning letter and not counted as a second infraction. Not sure how valid this is and EZ Pass NY Terms website does not seem to disclose that info.
Bob,
We’re familiar with the warning letter but not sure if and when it resets.
Sorry.
Matthew Weiss
Wonder if I just close my account and open a new one (if need be) is the answer.
I GOT A SUSPENSION FOR 60 DAYS. BUT I REMEMBER THE DAY THEY ARE ACCUSING ME OF THIS. THERE WAS HUGE TRAFFIC ON THE GW BRIDGE. THERE WAS NO WAY ON EARTH THAT I COULD HAVE SPEED THREW THAT TOLL WHEN TRAFFIC WAS MOVING AT 2 MPH. IS THERE ANY WAY IF I WRITE TO THEM THEY CAN WAVE THE SUSPENSION? ITS MY FIRST SUSPENSION WITH THEM.
Cesar Figarola,
Assuming you pled guilty or were found guilty after a hearing, you’re only recourse to try and avoid the suspension is to appeal. You have 30 days from your hearing date to do so.
Matthew Weiss
it was an ezpass suspension
hi, any chance that it matters if the car was driven by two different people for two different dates?
Michelle,
I doubt it. EZ pass violations are generally associated with the assigned tag, not the driver.
Matthew Weiss
My mother suffers from dementia and was lost in Queens. In my haste, I took a new vehicle and forgot to grab my ez-pass. I entered the ez-pass lane at the Whitestone as I normally do. When I realized I didn’t have my pass, I stopped and waited for an officer. He was in a bad mood, and wrote me a ticket for “disobeying a traffic signal”. In total $303 and TWO POINTS. How can he write me up for that? It’s plainly not what happened.
Kagan Hudayar,
He is allowed to charge you but you have the right to hearing to prove your innocence.
Good luck fighting this one.
Matthew Weiss
Speeding through the ez pass toll is a joke. It’s not about saving lives because no one walks around the toll plaza. If workers have to walk they bring out the big trucks to slow or stop cars. It’s complete b.s. they look forward to suspending your ez pass so they can bill you the full amount if you happen to get a discount because you are a resident. I live in nyc I pay high taxes I have to look out for red light cameras speeding cameras it’s a joke. One day I will get a ticket for walking to fast. This state is a joke. Take and take from my pockets what a disgrace and then lie and say it’s about safety.
Richie,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’m sure that you are not alone with your opinion.
Matthew Weiss
How long in between violations is ok? WIll your account be suspended if you get a 2nd violation a year or 2 after the first?
Dana, points from a conviction to a NYS moving violation last for 18 months from the date of offense, and then they do count going forward anymore.
In regard to EZ pass speeding violations, I do not know the answer for sure but the EZ pass website states: You registration will be suspended when a vehicle registered to you incurs five or more toll violations, at one of the toll authorities, on different days in an 18-month period. IT also states that it can be suspended if you fail to pay your EZ pass violations.
Matthew Weiss
Hi, I received a notice that my Ez-pass is suspended for 60 days because I was speeding through the toll. I never received a notice for speeding before. Do you know what needs to be done to appeal this suspension?
I received my first EZ Pass violation in 5 years, 27mph in a EZ Pass zone. The letter looks exactly like the one in your article. However, I am unclear on how long I must remain “clean” to keep my account from being suspended. If I get another Violation I understand I will be suspended for 60 days? AND in what time frame. If I get another violation 1 year from now (making 2 in 1 year) will that get me 60 days off EZ Pass, is it 2years, 3, forever? When do I go back down to only getting a warning letter v. a suspension?
Bart Smith,
This is an interesting question which I honestly do not know the answer. I you could call the EZ pass people and inquire. Either way, slow down at the toll plazas. It will avoid you getting another blemish on your EZ record and, more importantly, is safer for all concerned.
Matthew Weiss
Good Morning,
Had a really bad day, i got 3 tickets in one day. 2 out of the 3 were disobeying traffic laws so i deserve it.
Last one i got a ticket for being on the EZPASS lane ( I missed the Cash Lane) at the Midtown Manhattan Tunnel. Ticket is $130… i think its very ridiculous how the cop made me pay for the toll and wrote me off for a being in the wrong ez pass lane ticket. Is there anyway or chance i can fight this? i also had a passenger in my car.
Michael,
The EZ pass ticket is one is tough to beat for a few reasons including that it was issued in New York City (i.e., where there is no plea bargaining) and a relatively easy one to prove. With that said, you have nothing to lose by plead not guilty and giving it a shot.
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
I’m curious as to how strict it usually is. Is there usually a grace window, like 10mph over, or something similar. Also, what if you make one trip through the state, say from Albany to the Garden State Parkway. Will you get a violation for each plaza you “speed” through? And then what if you don’t come back to NY for several months after that?
John,
You do get a grace window. However, each speeding violation can be a separate violation.
Matthew Weiss
I would like to know how the system works that detects your speed going thru a lane. I am a commercial truck driver and have gotten to warnings of speeding thru a 20mph ez pass lane when I always make a strong effort to watch my speed when approaching (meaning watch my speedometer). Its amazing when the first 5 years of having it I have gotten no warning. Now all of a sudden my company receives warnings and fines. During difficult economic times. Makes ya wonder
Rob,
Weird that you suddenly are getting such notices. I am not sure what they use at the toll plazas but it likely a radar or laser device.
Thanks for sharing this info. It is a good lesson on the importance of slowing down through toll plazas.
Matthew Weiss
[…] In New York, drivers using the toll roads can get an E-ZPass so they don’t have to throw coins into a basket. However, if they are speed through the tolls they can be issued a citation. […]
That’s right Tim. E-Z pass encourages quicker traffic, but not too quick. Kind of oxymoronic.