zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Culture
/
Maryland Is Going After Out-Of -State Drivers Trying To Skip Out On Tolls
Maryland Is Going After Out-Of -State Drivers Trying To Skip Out On Tolls-December 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:12:20

Image for article titled Maryland Is Going After Out-Of -State Drivers Trying To Skip Out On Tolls

If you’ve driven through Maryland the last couple of years, didn’t pay a toll(s), and thought you were in the clear because no one would ever know? Well, you’re out of luck because they’re coming for you. As the , Maryland is not only considering hiring collection agencies to collect the tolls, it’s partnering with neighboring states to find drivers as well.

The Maryland Transportation Authority estimates that there are over $170 million in unpaid tolls. But the pandemic made everything worse, and the debt increased by $30 million late last year. A few years ago, the state had implemented a program intended to try and help those that owed tolls. Called the Civil Penalty Waiver Program, it ended in late 2015 after collecting $3 million in tolls. But those that didn’t take advantage of the program were sent notice that their vehicle registration would be suspended if payment wasn’t received. Obviously, that wasn’t enough of a threat because the state is getting serious now.

The state is considering two courses of action. One is reciprocity agreements with neighboring states. In this plan, already backed by 38 Maryland state lawmakers, neighboring states would help collect tolls on Maryland’s behalf with driver data provided by Maryland. Those states would then fine those drivers according to their laws while collecting Maryland’s toll.

The second route that the state is currently considering is private collection agencies. The MTDA is already in the process of getting a contract with an out-of-state collection agency to do this. The agency doesn’t seem to think reciprocity agreements are the way to go with one agency spokesperson calling them “complex” and saying they could “take years to reach an agreement.”

The drawback to reciprocity is it is harder to pull off and complex to run. While the drawbacks to using a collection agency would be less money collected—you have to pay the debt collector, after all. Either way, Maryland seems determined to get what it is owed.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Culture
Toyota Is Moving A Prewar 700-Ton Press Machine Halfway Around The World
Toyota Is Moving A Prewar 700-Ton Press Machine Halfway Around The World
closed its São Bernardo Plant in November 2023, marking the end of its first overseas production facility. The closure caps off a period of continuous car production in São Paolo, , lasting over 60 years. The plant was home to a Komatsu 700-ton press that predates itself. And now...
Dec 4, 2025
I Can't Get Enough Of This YouTuber Who Builds Tiny, Fully Functional Scale-Model Cars
I Can't Get Enough Of This YouTuber Who Builds Tiny, Fully Functional Scale-Model Cars
I love tiny, of . I have a that is roughly half the size of a normal cat, and she’s perfect. I own a 2013 , which is like the miniature version of a normal-sized vehicle (at least here in Texas) — but beyond that, I also own a Hot...
Dec 4, 2025
2024 Kia EV9: What Do You Want To Know?
2024 Kia EV9: What Do You Want To Know?
At long last, we are about to get behind the wheel of for the first time. Sure, , and sure, , and sure , but hey — what can you do? Anyway, before we get behind the wheel of this three-row electric beast, we want to know what you...
Dec 4, 2025
I Entered My Lifted Miata In A Real Off-Road Race, Here's What Happened
I Entered My Lifted Miata In A Real Off-Road Race, Here's What Happened
I have two automotive loves: The first is the Miata, the second is off-road racing. For a while I raced air-cooled Volkswagens in the deserts of California and Nevada and I was lucky enough to co-drive in a class 11 stock bug in the Baja 1000 a few years...
Dec 4, 2025
Subaru Had It Right All Along
Subaru Had It Right All Along
When first came to the United States, it sold small funky cars that were decidedly un-American. As the company grew its own identity and became more established in the U.S., it became the first automaker to offer an all-wheel-drive passenger car in 1975. Subaru was also an early-adopter of...
Dec 4, 2025
Watch ABS Fail When MotorWeek Tests A 1997 Chevy S-10
Watch ABS Fail When MotorWeek Tests A 1997 Chevy S-10
MotorWeek’s is some of the on the internet. The long-running automotive news magazine has a treasure trove of tests after being on the air for over 40 years. Where else can you find detailed instrumented testing of long-forgotten cars like the or a ? MotorWeek’s recent Retro Review upload is...
Dec 4, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved