STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — If you’ve noticed a spike in your E-ZPass toll, your tag’s placement could be to blame.
If you don’t properly mount your tag, you’ll be charged a Mid-Tier toll rate. And this toll rate isn’t new – it was first implemented in July 2025 for all vehicle classes with a New York/New Jersey E-ZPass account.
It was part of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s incentive to have drivers properly position their E-ZPass Tag on the vehicle windshield for accurate reading by the toll collection system at the time of crossing.
This Mid-Tier rate is a higher toll to cover the cost to process the toll transaction (license plate picture and NY/NY E-ZPass account verification) and is a lower cost than the full-price toll-by-mail rate.
It’s important to note that all Staten Island Bridges Discount Plan subscribers must also properly mount their E-ZPass Tag in their vehicle, or will be charged the Staten Island Bridges Discount Mid-Tier toll rate.
Here’s how to make sure your tag is properly mounted on your windshield:
Adhere the tag to the upper inside portion of your windshield. Ensure the tag is at least one inch to the right of the rearview mirror’s center support and at least one inch below the tinted part of the windshield.For vehicles with technology on the windshield behind the rearview mirror, mount the tag to the left of the rearview mirror.Ensure the E-ZPass tag’s arrows are pointed up.
What happens if you get charged the Mid-Tier rate even if your tag is mounted properly?
An E-ZPass Tag can occasionally fail to read due to technical issues. As a result, customers are advised to regularly check their E-ZPass account for tolls charged using their license plate rather than their tag.
To request a credit for the difference between the mid-tier and lowest E-ZPass rate, call the New York Customer Service Center at 1-800-333-TOLL (8655).
In New Jersey, the white plastic E-ZPass transponders may be replaced by something almost unnoticeable – a sticker.