State troopers patrolling the Pennsylvania Turnpike will pull over and potentially impound vehicles with suspended registrations tied to unpaid tolls throughout October.

The enforcement operation covers the full turnpike, including the I-276 corridor through Whitemarsh, Plymouth and Whitpain townships. Drivers in those communities who commute on the turnpike with a suspended registration face citations or vehicle impoundment.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and Pennsylvania State Police announced the crackdown on Wednesday, Sept. 30. It is the second such operation this year, The Reporter first reported.

More than 67,000 Pennsylvania-registered vehicles currently have suspended registrations linked to unpaid tolls. The turnpike has sent more than 200,000 suspension-eligibility letters to vehicle owners since 2018, according to the commission.

April results

During a focused April operation, troopers stopped 23 drivers who owed a combined $130,000 in past-due toll charges. More than 90% of those drivers paid their outstanding balances or came into compliance, and the commission collected roughly $85,000.

Since April, troopers have stopped more than 1,100 motorists with toll-related registration suspensions, officials said.

"The first operation made it clear that ignoring toll invoices does not make the obligation go away," Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission CEO Mark Compton said in the announcement. "Most of our customers pay their tolls."

Cpl. Richard Levan of Pennsylvania State Police Troop T, which patrols the turnpike, said the operation is meant to push drivers to restore their registrations.

How suspensions work

Under Act 112 of 2022, drivers who accumulate $250 or more in unpaid tolls and fees, or four unpaid Toll By Plate invoices, are referred to PennDOT for registration suspension. Vehicles without E-ZPass are photographed by turnpike cameras, and the registered owner receives an invoice within 30 days of travel, according to the PA Turnpike's Toll By Plate page.

How to resolve unpaid tolls

Drivers can pay outstanding invoices online, through the PA Toll Pay mobile app, by phone or by mail. The PA Turnpike customer service line is 1-877-736-6727, available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The savings add up. Switching to E-ZPass can cut toll rates by up to 50%. Drivers with a current Toll By Plate invoice can convert to E-ZPass at the time of payment and have the discounted rate applied to their existing balance.

Troopers from Troop T will conduct stops throughout October. No specific end date has been announced.