Pennsylvania drivers face a 5% increase for E-Z Pass and Toll by Plate Customers approved by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. The increase took effect Jan. 8 at 12:01 a.m.

E-Z Pass customers experience a marginal increase of $1.70 to $1.80 for passenger vehicles and $4.10 to $4.40 for Toll by Plate customers, according to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. By saving nearly 60%, E-Z Pass drivers receive the lowest rates as opposed to Toll by Plate.

The increase, authorized in November, allows the PA Turnpike to cooperate with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to suspend motor-vehicle registrations of owners with four or more overdue Toll by Plate invoices or $250 or more in unpaid tolls or outstanding toll invoices.

The 5% increase will fund the PA Turnpike’s funding and capital improvement obligations. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission doesn’t receive tax appropriations to operate and maintain its roadway.

Prior to the passage of Act 112, registration suspensions required a higher threshold of six past-due toll invoices or $500 or more in unpaid tolls.

Vehicular operations with a suspended registration include a mandatory three-month driver’s license suspension; fines of up to $500 plus court costs; auto-insurance policy cancellations and higher premiums; and a record of the violation on the owner’s driver history.

The PA Turnpike mails multiple notices to motorists prior to instituting a registration suspension. Invoices are sent to a collection agency with fees after 60 days of an unresolved invoice.

Collection agencies pursue payments including, letters, phone calls, text messages, and e-mails; but not limited to other measures involving working with local district attorneys to file criminal charges against egregious scofflaws, filing civil charges against those with unpaid tolls as well as civil and criminal lawsuits against commercial carriers, ad engaging in neighboring toll agencies on reciprocity agreements to provide mutual authority to pursue scofflaws in other states.

To pay unpaid tolls, motorists my call 1-877-736-6727. When prompted, say “Customer Service,” then select option 3 for Toll By Plate. Vehicle owners can use the Unpaid Invoice Lookup to check for any unpaid PA Turnpike tolls associated with their license plates. If an owner’s registration is suspended, that owner will be responsible for payment of all outstanding tolls and fees and must pay a restoration fee to PennDOT. To learn more, visit www.paturnpike.com/payyourtolls.