The NJ E-ZPass Amnesty Program is a limited-time program that lets drivers settle unpaid New Jersey tolls and fees at a 25% discount. It runs through November 28, 2026, and applies to anyone who owes $500 or more in toll violations linked to a New Jersey E-ZPass account. Paying the full balance before the deadline removes the discount penalty and stops further collection actions against the driver.
This program was created to recover a portion of the $117 million in unpaid tolls New Jersey loses each year. Instead of pushing more drivers into registration suspension or credit reporting, the state offers a path to clear the debt at a lower cost. Drivers who act now can save hundreds of dollars and avoid harsher penalties that take effect after the amnesty window closes.
What the NJ E-ZPass Amnesty Program Covers
The amnesty applies to unpaid tolls, administrative fees, and violation charges tied to a New Jersey E-ZPass account. It does not cover tolls owed to other states or violations already sent to collections through a court judgment. The discount applies to the total balance, including late fees, when paid in a single transaction before the deadline.
- Toll charges for trips taken with an E-ZPass transponder that did not register
- Administrative fees added to each unpaid toll notice
- Violation penalties for low balance or missing transponder issues
- Repeat offender surcharges from prior unpaid violations
Who Qualifies for the Program
Any driver with a New Jersey E-ZPass account who owes $500 or more in combined tolls and fees qualifies. The account holder can be an individual or a business. Drivers without an E-ZPass account who received a Tolls by Mail invoice can also qualify if the violation total reaches $500.
Drivers who have already set up a payment plan before the program started do not qualify for the 25% discount, but they can call the violations team to ask about adjusting their existing plan. Drivers in active court cases for toll debt should contact the New Jersey E-ZPass Customer Service Center before making any payment.
How Much the Discount Saves
The discount reduces the total balance by 25% when paid in full. Complete Ohio Fare Calculator Guide The savings grow as the balance grows. Below is a sample of what drivers can save through the program.
| Outstanding Balance | 25% Discount | Total You Pay |
|---|---|---|
| $500 | $125 | $375 |
| $1,000 | $250 | $750 |
| $2,500 | $625 | $1,875 |
| $5,000 | $1,250 | $3,750 |
A driver who owes $2,000 in tolls and fees saves $500 by paying $1,500 before the deadline. The discount only applies to one full payment per account.
Step-by-Step: How to Participate in the NJ E-ZPass Amnesty Program
The process takes about ten minutes for most drivers. Here is the exact path to clear the balance and claim the discount.
Step 1: Check Your Balance Online
Go to ezpassnj.com and log in to your account. If you do not have an online account, you can create one using your transponder number or license plate. The account dashboard shows the total amount owed, including all unpaid tolls and fees. Look for any balance marked as violation or in collection.
Step 2: Confirm the $500 Minimum
Your total must reach $500 or more to qualify. Explore North Carolina Discount This includes the original toll, plus any $50 administrative fees added per violation. Drivers with smaller balances should still pay them off, but they will not receive the 25% discount through the amnesty program.
Step 3: Pay the Full Balance
Pay the entire amount before November 28, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. Explore PA Registration Payments can be made online through your account, by phone, or in person at a Customer Service Center. Online payments post the fastest. The 25% discount applies automatically once the full balance clears.
Step 4: Save Your Confirmation
After payment, save the confirmation number and email receipt. The account is updated within 24 hours. Keep these records in case any future billing error shows up. Drivers with multiple vehicles on one account should check that all plates show a zero balance after payment.
What Happens If You Do Not Pay Before the Deadline
After November 28, 2026, New Jersey will return to full enforcement under the Toll Enforcement Program. The state has reciprocity agreements with other states, so unpaid violations can lead to registration holds in multiple states at once.
- Registration suspension through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
- Credit reporting of unpaid tolls to national credit bureaus
- Vehicle boot or tow for repeat offenders with large balances
- Court referral for balances over a set threshold
Drivers who miss the deadline can still pay their tolls, but they lose the 25% discount and face the full penalty process. There is no grace period after November 28, 2026.
Reasons Drivers Accumulate E-ZPass Violations
Most violations come from small account issues that grow into large balances. Knowing the cause helps prevent new violations after the amnesty program ends.
Low or Negative Account Balance
Each toll taken with a balance below zero adds a $50 administrative fee. A driver who passes through ten tolls without funds racks up $500 in fees on top of the original toll charges. Setting up auto-replenishment prevents this issue.
Transponder Mounting Errors
A transponder that slides on the dashboard or sits in a glove box may not read at the toll plaza. The toll posts as a violation, and the fee structure kicks in. Mount the transponder on the windshield behind the rearview mirror for the best read rate.
Unregistered Vehicles or Plates
Adding a new car or rental to the E-ZPass account is a step many drivers skip. Illinois Discount Login Tolls on an unregistered plate go unpaid and turn into violations. Always add new vehicles to the account before driving through a toll.
Out-of-State Travel
Drivers from other states who use E-ZPass in New Jersey must make sure their home account is linked. New Jersey shares violation data with many states, so an unpaid NJ toll can affect a driver’s home state registration.
Tips to Stay Violation-Free After the Amnesty Program
Once the balance is clear, simple habits keep the account in good standing going forward.
- Turn on auto-replenishment with a backup credit card on file
- Check the account balance every two weeks through the app or website
- Add new vehicles and license plates the day you get them
- Replace transponder batteries every two to three years
- Read email and text alerts from E-ZPass for low balance warnings
These steps cost nothing and prevent the fees that create large balances in the first place.
Contact Information for NJ E-ZPass Amnesty Program
Drivers with questions about eligibility, balances, or payment options can reach the New Jersey E-ZPass Customer Service Center by phone or in person.
- Website: ezpassnj.com
- Amnesty Portal: tollamnesty.ezpassnj.com
- Violations Specialist: 973-368-1425
- Business Accounts: 973-368-1452
- Main Customer Service: 888-AUTO-TOLL (888-288-6865)
- Customer Service Centers: Newark, Camden, and other locations statewide
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.; Saturday, 8:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Before calling, have the transponder number, license plate, and a recent violation notice ready. The support team can look up the balance, confirm the discount, and process payment over the phone in a single call.
Frequently Asked Questions About the NJ E-ZPass Amnesty Program
The following questions cover the most common concerns drivers have about the program. Each answer reflects current policy as of the 2026 program window. Rules can change, so always confirm details on the official New Jersey E-ZPass website before making a payment.
What is the deadline for the NJ E-ZPass Amnesty Program?
The deadline is November 28, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. Payments must post to the account before this time. Payments made after the deadline lose the 25% discount and the account returns to standard enforcement. Online payments usually post the same day. Phone and in-person payments may take 24 hours to process, so do not wait until the last day.
Do I qualify if I owe less than $500?
No. The minimum balance to receive the 25% discount is $500. Drivers who owe less than $500 should still pay the full balance to stop further fees, but the discount does not apply. There is no exception to the minimum for hardship cases under the current program rules.
Can I make a partial payment to get the discount?
No. The 25% discount only applies when the full balance is paid in one transaction. A partial payment removes the violation from active collection, but the remaining balance stays subject to standard fees and penalties. Drivers who cannot pay the full amount should call the violations specialist to discuss a payment plan option.
Does the program cover tolls from other states?
No. The NJ E-ZPass Amnesty Program only covers tolls and fees charged by New Jersey toll agencies. Unpaid tolls from New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, or other E-ZPass states fall under those states’ own programs. However, paying NJ violations can stop a registration hold in a home state if NJ was the source of the hold.
Will the amnesty program affect my credit score?
Paying the full balance under the program prevents new credit reporting. The New Jersey E-ZPass system reports unpaid tolls to credit bureaus after the enforcement process runs. Paying before the deadline removes that risk. Any prior reporting that already took place stays on the credit report, but the balance is marked as paid.
What if I have a payment plan already set up?
Existing payment plans do not qualify for the 25% discount. Drivers with an active plan can call 973-368-1425 to ask about switching to the amnesty program. The plan must be closed and the remaining balance paid in full under the amnesty rules to receive the discount. The support team can calculate the exact savings for the specific balance.
Can businesses with fleet accounts use the amnesty program?
Yes. Business accounts with $500 or more in unpaid tolls and fees qualify for the same 25% discount. The business contact on the account can make the payment online or by calling the business account line at 973-368-1452. Fleet managers should review all vehicle plates on the account before paying to make sure every violation is included.