PA Turnpike's Unpaid Tolls Could Delay Vehicle Registration Renewals

PENNSYLVANIA — Those with outstanding Pennsylvania Turnpike fees would be forced to pay them before registering any vehicle under legislation about to be introduced in the state Senate.

Sen. Marty Flynn, of Lackawanna County, the minority chair of the senate transportation committee, said the move is necessary to help retire turnpike debt and provide for its maintenance.

In a memo to colleagues, Flynn stated that uncollected or unbillable tolls totaled more than $155 million for the one-year reporting period of April 2021 through March.

"These unpaid tolls come at the expense of roadway maintenance and improvements, as well as debt service for significant outstanding obligations held by the PTC," he wrote. " Most importantly, paying customers continue to face significant toll increases that put pressure on their household budgets while others avoid paying without consequence."

A main component of the annual or biennial PennDOT vehicle registration process is confirmation of a legal address.

Flynn's legislation would require that the turnpike commission share information on uncollected
and unbillable tolls, along with late fees, with PennDOT. The agency would be required to crosscheck this database as part of the registration process to verify that an individual doesn't have unpaid tolls.

If they do, the tolls would have to be paid, along with late fees, before their vehicle registration would be issued.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.