Last Updated on February 6, 2023 by Kristin
Photo credit: ShutterstockDid you get an E-ZPass violation in a rental car? Getting stuck with a toll violation in a rental car can be a pricey addition to your trip. That’s because the violation will be sent directly to the rental car company. You’ll be billed for the toll and penalty fee, and the rental car company will charge an additional admin fee.
Violations have a nasty way of snowballing. For example, the Chicago Skyway toll in Illinois is $5.30 for a passenger car. If you pay your violation within seven days, that’s all you owe. But the rental car company might not even pass on the violation notice within that week. And if you don’t pay within seven days, the cost jumps to over $30 for the violation and collection fee. Expect an other fee on top of that from your rental car company.
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There are several reasons you can get a toll violation, some of which are less obvious than others. Plan ahead and be sure not to make any of these mistakes.
Common E-ZPass Violations
Toll Evasion: This is probably what you think of when you hear “toll violation,” and it’s pretty straightforward. Toll evasion occurs when you drive through a lane without paying and without a valid E-ZPass tag mounted in your vehicle.
Be aware that it’s getting easier to end up unknowingly driving on a toll roll. In states like New York, for example, toll plazas are disappearing. They are being replaced by cashless toll overpasses that record your car as you drive underneath.
Insufficient Funds: When your account is below zero and you travel through an EZPass Only lane. This could be because you forgot to reload your account funds. Or it could be because your credit card on file is no longer valid. Be sure to check your account balance before you hit the road in a rental car with your own transponder.
Transponder Error: You could get stuck with a toll violation if your transponder isn’t properly mounted in your vehicle. In addition, something may be blocking the transponder signal.
Class Mismatch: When your E-ZPass tag designating the vehicle class does not match the vehicle you are driving, it’s a violation. This is unlikely, but if you plan to switch your transponder between multiple vehicles or to a rental car, just make sure they’re in the same vehicle class.
Speeding: When you travel through the E-ZPass lane at a speed in excess of the posted limit, you can snag yourself a violation. While many electronic toll plazas don’t even require you to slow down anymore, keep an eye on posted speed limits to make sure you don’t end up in trouble. Common lane speeds are 5 mph and 20 mph.
How to Avoid E-ZPass Toll Violations
Bring your own transponder. If you have an E-ZPass transponder on your car at home, bring it along to save money and a lot of hassles. Most electronic toll systems use the car’s license plate as a backup if the transponder can’t be read properly, so if you’re using your own transponder, consider logging on to your E-ZPass account online to add your rental car license plate to your account. Just don’t forget to remove it when your trip is over.
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Use cash toll lanes. While electronic-only toll plazas are becoming more common, you’ll still find cash toll lanes in many states. TollGuru can help you find routes with cash toll lanes in addition to E-ZPass or other transponder lanes.
Map out your route to avoid tolls. It may seem like tolls are everywhere, but they can often be avoided. You might add some time to your trip, but you’ll save money, avoid traffic, and get to enjoy the scenic route. Use a navigation app like Waze to find a toll-less route.
If you decide to travel on toll roads, use a toll calculator to estimate your costs before your trip.
Do your homework on your rental company’s toll policy. Some rental car companies charge a steep daily fee if you opt to rent their transponder, while others offer reasonable rates if you simply can’t avoid electronic toll plazas. It’s a safer bet to opt for the daily toll fee than to risk paying a pricey fine after the fact.
Pay for tolls online.
We hope this option becomes more widely available across the United States. If you’re driving a rental car in New York state, there is a handy website that lets you pay your tolls instead of being charged extra fees by the rental company. Taking advantage of this service is simple. Just drive through an E-Z Pass toll lane without stopping. If your rental vehicle is equipped with an E-Z Pass transponder on the windshield, be sure to keep the box closed so the tolls do not go directly to the rental company, which they will pay and then charge you a “convenience fee.”
Within 48 hours of traversing your first toll, head to the Tolls by Mail website to enter in the license plate of your rental vehicle as well as the start and end dates/times of your rental along with your credit card information. It’s a simple process. As long as you sign up within the 48-hour window, the tolls should get charged to your credit card and let you sidestep the rental car company’s convenience fee.
We also know of a similar pay-by-mail option for Illinois and Pennsylvania.
How to Dispute an E-ZPass Toll Violations
Be forewarned that disputing an E-ZPass violation is a bureaucratic nightmare. It requires writing a letter sent to an E-Z Customer Service Center within 180 days of the disputed charge. You may need to contact multiple agencies that handle E-ZPass on different roadways or bridges, and each will likely have a different collection agency.
Related:
- Can You Use Your E-ZPass in a Rental Car?
- Dos and Don’ts for Dealing With Rental Car Tolls
The post What Happens if You Get an E-ZPass Violation in a Rental Car appeared first on AutoSlash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to rent a car from Portugal?
Portugal has an international driving permit that is required for renting a car. A valid credit card and proof of insurance are required for payment purposes.
When you make a reservation, the rental company will usually require that you provide a passport or national ID card.
Portugal may ask you to provide two forms of identification when renting a vehicle.
These are required by law to comply with the European Union regulations on road traffic safety. If you have any doubts about your identity, you could be denied access to the vehicle.
An International Driving License is not required if you are not a driver.
This document must be translated into Portuguese, and all documentation required to support it must also be included. This document costs between $20 and $30 USD depending on where you live.
It is possible that you will be denied entry to the vehicle if your translation does not match what you have provided.
How should I document pre-existing damage on the rental car?
You should have all documentation available, including photos of any damage. Ask the agent for assistance if you don't have any idea of the extent of the damage. If there is damage, you may have to pay an additional fee for inspection.
Do you need a car in Europe?
Your best solution depends on where you live and what you want to do. One European city may have different priorities than one in rural areas.
You should also consider how long you plan to stay in each country. You may need an economical car if there are frequent trips and you don't plan on staying in one place for long.
In most cases, buying an used car is cheaper than renting one. A used car is usually cheaper than renting in Europe for many reasons. You can save money on fuel costs, parking fees, maintenance, insurance, taxes, and so forth.
Another benefit is that the car can be driven safely.
There are some excellent websites out there that give information about car rentals in Europe. Please see our recommendations below.
What age do you need to be to rent an automobile in Europe?
For you to legally drive in many European countries, your age must be at least 21. While you cannot rent a car if your age is below 18, it may still be legal to do so from an adult (usually over 25). The age limit for renting cars, however, varies from country to country. In some cases, you might be able even to rent cars without being older than 15.
Can I rent a car to drive around Europe in a vehicle?
Yes, you can. You will need a booking and to pay for each day individually. There are plenty of companies offering these types of tours.
If you're looking for greater flexibility, consider renting a car through one the main travel agencies. These agencies typically offer various services such as car rentals and city transfers.
They often work with local suppliers who are experts in providing high-quality vehicles and competitive pricing.
Can you drive a rental car between countries in Europe?
Hertz is my recommendation if your plan is to drive across Europe. It is cheaper than hiring an individual driver. They offer great coverage.
They also offer unlimited mileage; if you need a car for longer than one trip, you can rent multiple cars.
Can you rent a car in one European country and return it to another?
Renting cars in multiple countries is one way to make traveling easier. However, you must return them where they were rented.
This might not be feasible because most people don't want extra mileage. Rental agencies often charge more to return a car to an area other than the one it was originally rented.
It is better to stay in one country unless you are planning on frequent travel.
Statistics
- American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
- For canceled trips two days or shorter, a guest is charged 50% of one day's trip cost. (insider.com)
- The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
- I'd say 70% of the time, we have a hassle-free encounter, but there have been certain companies that we prefer not to use anymore. (theworldpursuit.com)
- In 2019, the most crucial factor is the cost and fees of the rental (accounting for 28% of overall satisfaction with the rental experience), followed by the rental car itself at 25% and the pick-up process at 23%. (cnet.com)
External Links
sixt.com
jdpower.com
- 2021 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study
- 2019 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study | J.D. Power
kayak.com
alamo.com
- Alamo Rent a Car - Cheap Car Rent in the U.S. & Latin America
- Alamo Insiders – Alamo rent a car
How To
10 Tips on How to Rent a Car Cheapest
Renting an automobile is one of your most economical ways to get around town. Many companies offer services online as well as offline. You should be aware of the type of service offered by each company before you rent a car. You can choose private cars, vans, minivans, SUVs, luxury cars, etc. There are some companies that offer discounts for two people traveling together. Check out reviews of the companies before you make a decision on which one to rent from. Book your car rental at least one month in advance to save money. You won't have to pay any extra for booking last-minute. It's always worth comparing prices between companies.
Make sure to verify if the company requires you to have insurance.
If you are going to drive yourself, make sure you have enough gas. Many companies charge higher per gallon rates. If you are driving outside of major cities, it is possible to get stuck in traffic jams. Public transportation is an option in these cases. It is easier to take a cab or a shuttle bus if you have much luggage. Be sure to choose a reputable company when you are considering taking a taxi. Ask for references and read customer reviews.
Also, remember that you may have a limit on the mileage you can drive when renting a car. Make sure you read the contract thoroughly and check whether you can exceed this limit. Be sure to know how much you'll pay per mile.
Most companies allow you to use the GPS navigation system for free, but you might have to pay extra for satellite radio.
You should also remember that you may not be allowed to return the vehicle until after a certain time. It is important to not leave anything valuable in the vehicle.
Bring your driver’s license, passport, credit card, and proof that you have insurance. Complete the paperwork accurately. A confirmation email with details of the pickup date, time and location will arrive within a few minutes. Follow the instructions and drive the car safely after you have picked it up.
Make sure you park your rental car safely once you reach your destination. Many companies require that keys be dropped off at the office. In case you forget something, keep the receipt with you. After you have completed your transaction, return to the office with the receipt and any supporting documents. Now you are free to enjoy your vacation!
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