Getting an E-ZPass is a convenient and secure way to pay your tolls. Your E-ZPass will allow you to skip the line during your commutes on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Learn more about the value of E-ZPasses and where to buy your Pennsylvania Turnpike E-ZPass transponder.
What Is an E-ZPass?
An E-ZPass is a type of toll collection system that works automatically, allowing private and commercial drivers to use electronic payments. An E-ZPass Go Pak makes it easier for locals and professional drivers to travel major tollways regularly. Going through the E-ZPass lane is more convenient than stopping at all the toll stations.
When you buy an E-ZPass subscription, you will receive an electronic tag, or transponder, that you will need to attach to your vehicle. This transponder sends a signal to the toll equipment so it can detect the pass. Your tag can go on your vehicle's roof, license plate or windshield. The tag will help track your vehicle's travel routes, making it easy to configure payments automatically.
An E-ZPass works when you drive through Toll Points with E-ZPass transponders. The Toll Point will automatically calculate the toll based on your trip information. The Toll Point will then deduct the payment from your E-ZPass prepaid balance. You can also enjoy up to a 60% lower toll rate when you use an E-ZPass, so you will pay less than those who manually proceed through the Toll Points.
The Benefits of Getting an E-ZPass
The main reason people choose to sign up for an E-ZPass is that it makes traveling convenient. E-ZPasses offer many other important benefits:
- Help you save money: You can save money on the discounts you get using the E-ZPass. Toll facilities offer siginificant discounts to encourage more drivers to use the passes, which lowers traffic congestion and makes tolls operate more smoothly. The more often you travel, the more money you save.
- Offer flexible payments: You can pay directly from your bank account or use a card.
- Make payments quick and easy: You can set up autopay using your debit or credit card. The money will come out of your account balance when you have to pay a toll.
- Allow you to use rentals: If you need to drive a rental vehicle on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, you can easily add the vehicle's information to your existing Pennsylvania E-ZPass account. You will get the same discounts when using a rental temporarily. It even works in many states along the east coast. Take your E-Zpass to Florida, Georgia, & North Carolina in lieu of purchasing a SunPass Pro.
- Provide online access 24/7: You will have access to your account and its services each time you log in. You can check your balance, add funds and print statements.
- Have well-organized customer service: The customer service representatives are local. They are trained to answer account questions and help resolve issues. Customer service is available between the hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday.
How to Get an E-ZPass in PA
There are various ways to get and register your E-ZPass transponder in Pennsylvania, from signing up online to opening an account by mail. Here are four beneficial methods you might try.
1. Registering Your Transponder With the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
Before you can use your E-ZPass, you will need to activate your account by registering with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC). Here are the steps you can take to register after purchasing the E-ZPass from a reputable store in Pennsylvania:
- Read through the E-ZPass terms of the agreement: When enrolling in the E-ZPass program, it's always best to check the terms and conditions of the agreement first. This will help you understand how it works and what your responsibilities are.
- Choose your preferred type of E-ZPass: Your first option is a personal account. This is suitable if you need nine or fewer transponders for personal vehicles weighing less than 15,000 pounds. The other option is a commercial account for when you need 10 or more transponders for vehicles that weigh over 15,000 pounds.
- Have the relevant documents and information ready: Finally, you'll need to provide information like your name, driver's license number, E-ZPass account, vehicle information and contact information. These will help you register and set up a payment method.
2. Signing Up Online
Signing up online is a great method for getting everything done from the comfort of your home. Here's how to do it:
- Visit the PA Turnpike website: Go to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's website after you have created your account with a store like AAA.
- Login with the account you created: Click on the login icon in the top left corner to login with your account details.
- Select "Get an E-ZPass": The “Get an E-ZPass” icon will lead you to a page with three options. You can click on “Open Personal Account” if this is your preference.
- Create a personal account: You will now receive instructions to create your account, such as reading and agreeing to terms and providing information.
- Wait for your transponder: After completing the application, you'll typically wait a few days before receiving your E-ZPass transponder.
3. Opening an Account By Mail
You can also register your E-ZPass by mail:
- Download the application form: The PTC will likely have a form for you to download in their website. Print it out and fill in all the relevant information.
- Mail it: Send the form to the PTC's mailing address 300 East Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA, 17111. Your transponder might take slightly longer to arrive when signing up by mail.
4. Contacting Customer Services
If you cannot use the website to register or would prefer to register via phone, you can contact the PTC E-ZPass Customer Service Center during business hours. Their professionals will then guide you through the entire enrollment process by asking you questions and verifying information.
Where to Buy an E-ZPass in PA
You can get an E-ZPass tag at AAA and other retailers, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike and local stores. Getting an E-ZPass transponder at AAA is an option for AAA members and non-members. When you sign up with AAA, you can expect to make the following payments:
- Prepaid tolls included: You will start with $35* of prepaid tolls.
- One non-refundable charge: The initial annual fee is $3*.
- The AAA fee: If you are a member of AAA, you will only pay $4* for your convenience fee. If you are a non-member, you will pay $7* instead.
If you want to order your E-ZPass transponder in person, you can go to a select AAA Central Penn location. The 10 available AAA locations are:
- Camp Hill
- Carlisle
- Gettysburg
- Harrisburg
- Hershey
- Huntingdon
- Lancaster
- Lewistown
- Lebanon
- Lititz
FAQs: Getting an E-ZPass in PA
Do you still have questions about buying an E-ZPass in Pennsylvania? You can always visit one of the AAA branch locations where our professionals will be happy to assist. Otherwise, here are a few more commonly asked questions about E-ZPasses.
What Happens When You Don't Register Your Transponder?
If you fail to register your transponder, you could end up with toll violations. You will have to pay an administrative fee for each toll violation. Complete the registration process with the PTC for your E-ZPass before you attempt to use it and check to make sure your E-ZPass account has been established with the PTC.
You can use your transponder on the Pennsylvania Turnpike 24 hours after successfully registering it, but you have to wait a full 48 hours before you use the E-ZPass on other toll roads that allow it.
If you lack a valid E-ZPass transponder, the tolling system captures images of your license plate. You will then receive an invoice by mail if you are the registered owner of the vehicle you were driving on the toll road. The invoice will contain payment options so you can ensure your toll is taken care of.
Register your transponder and make sure it is valid to avoid having to pay violations.
How Do You Update Your Credit Card Information?
The best way to update your credit card information is online using your E-ZPass Pennsylvania login. You can access your E-ZPass account using an internet browser or the mobile app PA Toll Pay. If you want to update your information by phone or have trouble using the app, you can contact the E-ZPass Customer Service Center.
What States Use E-ZPass?
Using an E-ZPass makes traveling the Pennsylvania Turnpike fast and convenient, but you can also use your E-ZPass in several other states where there are toll roads. Some states that currently use other toll payment systems might allow the use of an E-ZPass in the future.
Your E-ZPass is valid in the following states:
- Ohio
- Maine
- Illinois
- Florida
- Indiana
- New York
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- Rhode Island
- West Virginia
- Minnesota
- Delaware
- Maryland
- Virginia
Get Your E-ZPass Transponder From AAA
Purchasing your E-ZPass transponder through AAA is simple and convenient. We also offer great opportunities to receive discounts and rewards when you become a member, helping you save money on your trips! Get an E-ZPass today and start traveling tomorrow. We welcome you to visit a AAA branch near you today and become a member for exciting benefits and easier E-ZPass registration.
*The prices and numbers stated in this post are current as of the time of publication.
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