New York State Police Troop T, working with the New York State Thruway Authority, conducted four enforcement operations this fall on the Thruway system. These efforts targeted drivers who repeatedly failed to pay tolls and those using ghost plates or illegible license plates. The operations took place in Albany, the Hudson Valley, and Syracuse.
During these details, authorities seized 170 vehicles and issued over 1,000 tickets. Of the vehicles impounded, 30 had suspended registrations and their owners owed nearly $82,000 in unpaid tolls and fees. The Thruway Authority has recovered almost $38,000 from 16 vehicle owners so far.
Governor Kathy Hochul said, “Cracking down on persistent toll-evaders makes driving on the Thruway system fairer and more affordable for New Yorkers, all while funding critical infrastructure improvements that make our roads safer and more reliable. Initiatives like these get bad actors off our roads and allow us to continue making historic investments in our roads, bridges and tunnels, giving everyone a better, safer ride.”
This was the second major operation of its kind this year. A previous campaign over the summer resulted in 140 vehicles being seized and 711 tickets issued. Combined, both campaigns have led to the recovery of $116,000 out of $207,000 owed by 37 vehicle owners.
Frank G. Hoare, Executive Director of the New York State Thruway Authority stated: “These enforcement crackdowns send a clear message to drivers who don’t pay their tolls that we’re not going to tolerate illegal behavior. We will continue to protect our tolling customers who follow the rules. We thank Governor Hochul and New York State Police Troop T for making this issue a top priority along with our partners who took part in this operation, including the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James added: “These enforcement details affirm our commitment to holding accountable those who use fake, stolen and obscured license plates. These offenders are not only breaking the law, but they are also putting other motorists at risk. I thank Governor Hochul for her sustained support and the Thruway Authority for its steadfast partnership. We also appreciate the Department of Motor Vehicles for its participation in these important enforcement efforts.”
Nationally there has been an increase in fraudulent or ghost plates used to avoid automated toll collection systems. Some drivers intentionally obscure or deface license plates or use fake temporary tags to evade detection.
The enforcement operations included:
– On September 30 at Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (GMMCB), police impounded 59 vehicles (25 for toll evasion) and issued 206 tickets (128 for plate violations).
– On October 16 on I-90 in Syracuse, police impounded 14 vehicles (1 for toll evasion) with 195 tickets issued (60 for plate violations).
– On October 28 on I-87/90 in Albany, police impounded 35 vehicles (4 for toll evasion) with 308 tickets issued (145 for plate violations).
– On November 20 at GMMCB again, police impounded 62 vehicles (17 for toll evasion) with 329 tickets issued (153 for plate violations).
Troopers focused on suspended registrations due to unpaid tolls or lack of insurance as well as fraudulent or obstructed license plates. Other citations included speeding, seatbelt violations, cell phone use while driving, expired licenses or registrations among others. The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit participated as well to enforce safety standards on commercial vehicles.
In addition to traffic offenses cited above during these campaigns troopers made several arrests related to driving while intoxicated (DWI), drug offenses and outstanding warrants.
Motorists can avoid violation fees by paying their bills promptly through E-ZPass or Tolls By Mail services available at e-zpassny.com or via the free Tolls NY app.
The Thruway Authority maintains one of America’s oldest interstate highways—built in the early 1950s—and is funded primarily by user-paid tolls rather than federal or state tax dollars. In recent years it processed over 400 million transactions annually with motorists traveling more than eight billion miles each year.
The current capital plan allocates $2.8 billion toward infrastructure improvements between now and 2030—a significant increase since a multi-year adjustment plan was approved in 2023—with work planned on about sixty percent of pavement lane miles as well as restoration projects on many bridges.
The Thruway’s passenger vehicle base rate remains below five cents per mile—lower than comparable rates charged by other regional turnpikes such as Ohio ($0.06), Pennsylvania ($0.16), or New Jersey Turnpike (up to $0.39).
State officials remind motorists that safety is a shared responsibility; laws require slowing down near stopped vehicles along roadways following an expansion of New York’s Move Over Law in March 2024.
