BRIAN ROCHE EXPLAINS THE PROCESS. THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE COLLECTS ABOUT 93% OF ITS TOLLS WITHIN 60 DAYS, BUT NOW IT’S TEAMING UP WITH THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE TO GO AFTER PEOPLE WHO IGNORE STANDARD COLLECTION EFFORTS IN PENNSYLVANIA, TOLL COLLECTION HAS TRADITIONALLY THREE PHASES. FIRST, TOLL BY PLATE INVOICES ARE SENT TO THE REGISTERED OWNER’S ADDRESS. IF THAT’S UNPAID, THE PERSON IS HANDED OVER TO A COLLECTION AGENCY. IF PAYMENT IS STILL NOT MADE AND THE CUSTOMER HAS FOUR OR MORE OUTSTANDING TOLL BY PLATE INVOICES OR OWES TOLLS AND FEES OF MORE THAN $250 OR MORE. THEIR VEHICLE REGISTRATION IS SUSPENDED BY PENNDOT. NOW THE TURNPIKE HAS TURNED OVER MORE THAN 100 VIOLATION CASES TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE FOR FURTHER ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, INCLUDING HAVING CIVIL COLLECTION ACTIONS FILED AGAINST THEM SUED IN COURT. THESE DRIVERS EACH OWE MORE THAN $12,000 IN TOLLS AND FINES EACH. IN A STATEMENT, ATTORNEY GENERAL DAVE SUNDAY SAID WHEN PEOPLE DRIVING ON OUR TURNPIKE TRY TO EVADE PAYING THEIR TOLLS, IT SHIFTS THE COST BURDEN ONTO OTHER LAW ABIDING MOTORISTS.
Pennsylvania Turnpike, attorney general targeting toll violators
Updated: 10:09 AM EST Nov 17, 2025
The Pennsylvania Turnpike is collaborating with the attorney general’s office to pursue individuals who owe more than $12,000 in tolls and fees, with some accounts exceeding $150,000.WGAL News 8 Consumer Investigator Brian Roche explains the collection process. Top commercial violators The highest amount owed comes from a commercial account in Bucks County, totaling over $153,000, followed by an additional commercial account in Montgomery County with more than $116,000 in unpaid tolls.The turnpike typically collects around 93% of tolls within 60 days, but it is now taking further action against those who ignore standard collection efforts.Toll collectionToll collection in Pennsylvania involves three phases:Initially, toll-by-plate invoices are sent to the registered owner’s address.If unpaid, the account is handed over to a collection agency.If payment is still not made, and the customer has four or more outstanding toll-by-plate invoices or owes $250 or more in tolls and fees, their vehicle registration is suspended by PennDOT.Attorney General’s role The turnpike has referred more than 100 toll violation cases to the attorney general’s office for further enforcement actions, including civil collection actions.These drivers each owe more than $12,000 in tolls and fees.Attorney General Dave Sunday said, “When people driving on our turnpike try to evade paying their tolls, it shifts the cost burden onto other law-abiding motorists.”
The Pennsylvania Turnpike is collaborating with the attorney general’s office to pursue individuals who owe more than $12,000 in tolls and fees, with some accounts exceeding $150,000.
WGAL News 8 Consumer Investigator Brian Roche explains the collection process.
Top commercial violators
The highest amount owed comes from a commercial account in Bucks County, totaling over $153,000, followed by an additional commercial account in Montgomery County with more than $116,000 in unpaid tolls.
The turnpike typically collects around 93% of tolls within 60 days, but it is now taking further action against those who ignore standard collection efforts.
Toll collection
Toll collection in Pennsylvania involves three phases:
Initially, toll-by-plate invoices are sent to the registered owner’s address.If unpaid, the account is handed over to a collection agency.If payment is still not made, and the customer has four or more outstanding toll-by-plate invoices or owes $250 or more in tolls and fees, their vehicle registration is suspended by PennDOT.Attorney General’s role
The turnpike has referred more than 100 toll violation cases to the attorney general’s office for further enforcement actions, including civil collection actions.
These drivers each owe more than $12,000 in tolls and fees.
Attorney General Dave Sunday said, “When people driving on our turnpike try to evade paying their tolls, it shifts the cost burden onto other law-abiding motorists.”