MN changing to EZ-Pass

E-Z Pass is a toll system that allows you to pass through electronic tolls at normal highway speeds. You have an account with your state and each time you pass a toll it deducts it from your account. NH and MA both give reduced toll rates to their residents. E-Z Pass also helps reduce traffic condition. Because of where we live any time we go north past a certain point or head to the coast/Maine we hit a toll. It's saved us time and money. How it works when you are towing I don't know.

We actually have two EZ Pass transponders, one for towing and one if running solo. Just have to make sure you have the correct one on the windshield with the other in it's shielded bag.

Michelle.S wrote:
We actually have two EZ Pass transponders, one for towing and one if running solo. Just have to make sure you have the correct one on the windshield with the other in it's shielded bag.

Not sure why, overcomplication? I have used 1 ez pass transponder for years on different vehicles towing and not towing. The system detects how many axles are along for the ride. You just have to have all the license plate numbers/vehicles listed on the account, and even that is not really required as they'll reference the tag by photo, cross-reference it to your registration, and find your account. The trailer does not need to be listed.

The NY State Thruway Authority has a "Motorhome Plan" for NY E-ZPass holders where we only pay standard passenger vehicle per axle rates instead of the nearly double larger vehicle commercial rates. They did issue us two transponders though, one for the motorhome alone and the other for when we have the toad hooked up. The toad also has a standard E-ZPass that's kept in a shielded bag when not in use as is the unused motorhome tag.

I have used the same EZ Pass for maybe 30 years issued by the PA Turnpike. Have been all over the country towing, not towing, in the car, in the truck, etc. Have never had a problem except some states still in the dark ages using something different. Glad to see another state come on board.

OP - FYI

Supposedly a decade ago, all states were required to consolidate to one automated tolling system. Then exceptions and exemptions. Not there yet.

EZ-Pass has the system everyone else will be forced to use, but many states can keep their existing system and meet the technical requirements.

Most EZ-Pass states do their own billing and such. My EZ-Pass is from New Jersey. Got it in late 2014, and keep it active. Last time I had a charge on it was in IL in 2018, and FL in 2019.

We have used EZ Pass in NY and elsewhere since it was introduced. No matter where we go, with or without the trailer, we use the same transponder. Never had issues of wrong charges and were told by the powers that be that sensors determine how many axles and not the transponder. We do have separate transponders for each car but not for towing and not towing. Even going through the new toll road in NC one day with the trailer and two days later without it got it right.
I would suspect they like making tiny amounts of money on the money that is held by the system for each pass.

We have the two because in our area they didn't have the axle counter strips in the pavement and we didn't want to pay for 4 axles when running solo.
Now maybe with the new Electronic Toll system it won't be needed, but until I hear different I'll continue to change.

Personally I was quite angry when they pulled the toll collectors of the NY Thruway.
I was "forced" to get an EZ-Pass just to accommodate the three or four times a year I use I-90

If you do not have one you get to pay a higher toll,and also have the privilege's of an administrative fee.

I did not know MN had any toll roads.