MassDOT Announces 'Grace Period' for Drivers Without Transponders

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation said Friday a six-month "grace period" will be implemented for drivers without transponders as they sign up for E-ZPassMA accounts.

The move comes as the state switches over to all-electronic tolling roadways, which gives drivers with transponders a discount on tolls. Drivers without transponders will receive a "Pay by Plate" invoice at the regular fare.

MassDOT is also expanding hours at customer service centers this Saturday and Sunday to meet the demand for drivers signing up for transponders and accommodate the weekend shutdown of the website and customer service hotline as they are transitioned to the new EZDriveMA system.

The grace period ensures that drivers who intend to get a transponder are not penalized for not having an active account when all-electronic tolling goes live Friday night.

Here's how the grace period will work, via MassDOT:

• If any driver without a transponder passes underneath an All Electronic Tolling gantry, the vehicle owner will receive a Pay By Plate invoice in the mail.
• The vehicle owner can choose to pay the Pay By Plate invoice, or, choose to apply to receive a free transponder and will receive a credit for the difference between the Pay By Plate rate and the E-ZPassMA rate. After paying their Pay By Plate bill in full, customers will be credited the difference on their new E-ZPassMA account.
• Customers will be able to take advantage of this program online, or by calling or visiting a customer service center.
• After receiving that Pay By Plate invoice, if a customer logs on to MassDOT’s new website (www.EZDriveMA.com), the customer may convert their Pay by Plate account to an E-ZPass MA account by using the “convert” feature. This feature requires customers to pay their invoice in full and open a transponder account.
• For the first 6 months, this program will be offered on any current Pay By Plate bill a customer receives, and then after 6 months, on just the first Pay By Plate bill a new customer receives.
• During the first 6 months, in the event a customer ignores their first invoice, MassDOT will still honor the grace period and E-ZPassMA rate, but customers will still need to honor the late fines associated with the bill. MassDOT strongly discourages travelers from ignoring their Pay By Plate notices and encourages drivers to pay these invoices or contact the customer service center as soon as possible.

The incentive discount program was instituted earlier this month as a result of discussion at a MassDOT Board of Directors meeting in August and feedback from residents at several public meetings.

• See also: All-Electronic Tolling Begins Tonight in Massachusetts

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