Enforcement Of I-66 Toll Cheaters To Be Ramped Up

Before tolling began on Interstate 66 between the Capital Beltway to DC, "HOV cheaters" were prevalent. Now the focus has shifted to "toll cheaters"—those who pose as carpoolers to avoid the tolls.

Before tolling began last December, only carpooling vehicles could use the road during rush hours. Now solo drivers can now use the road by paying a toll with an E-Z pass. Carpooling drivers can avoid the tolls by having an E-Z Pass Flex in HOV mode.

According to the Virginia Secretary of Transportation's office, 43 percent of trips in the first six months of tolling were carpoolers who did not pay tolls.

But not all drivers using E-Z Pass in HOV mode are carpooling. WTOP reported that Virginia State Police cited 171 solo drivers for wrongly using the HOV mode from December through March.

Virginia Deputy Transportation Secretary Nick Donohue told the radio station there will be "targeted enforcement" of toll cheaters in the "coming months."

Meanwhile the state is testing changes to the tolling formula that could lower prices. Six-month data shows the highest tolls—as much as the high $40s for a few—occur during the 8 a.m.-9 a.m. hour. HOV use also peaks during this hour.

Drivers without E-Z Pass are not permitted to use the road. If they do, a camera captures their license plate number and they will be billed with an extra charge.

Tolling is in effect from 5:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. eastbound and 3 p.m.-7 p.m. westbound. The dynamic tolling system changes the prices every few minutes and can be seen in real-time here.

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Image via VDOT