The NY Post reported this weekend that DMV is using the EZ pass system to identify motorists who fail to pay their tolls and, consequently suspend their registrations. This is a serious penalty because driving with a suspended registration constitutes a misdemeanor offense in New York State and, therefore, affected drivers could find themselves arrested and facing jail time.
Almost 5,000 motorists who have passed through the new cash-less toll plazas and not paid their EZ Pass bill have had their vehicle registrations suspended as a result of this new program. Cameras in the cash-less system photograph license plates of those who do not have an EZ pass and send a bill.
Under this new program, registrants will be suspended when a motorist fails to pay 3 or more toll violations within 5 years, or when commercial vehicle operators fail to pay $200 in tolls within 5 years. DMV is seeking to expand this program to cover out-of-state vehicles by reaching suspensions agreements with New Jersey, Connecticut, etc. Further, it would not surprise me if DMV starts