(OLYMPIA) The Washington State Department of Transportation says a change in vendors forced them to pause penalties on those who didn’t pay their tolls the last several months.
In the time since, the transition has been completed, and now’s the time to make sure you’re “Good to Go.”
As in “paid in full.”
Back in the summer of 2021, the state changed contractors for it’s tolling system. In doing so, it lost the ability to charge fines and late fees.
Now, 20 months later, drivers who owe past tolls are being warned civil penalties of up to $40 per toll return March 1st. That steep penalty is reserved for tolls overdue 80 days. Up until that point, a late toll is 5 extra bucks.
But the real wrinkle is if you’ve accumulated a half year’s worth of unpaid tolls: You can’t renew your tabs.
According to state records, As of now, about 800-THOUSAND drivers are behind on their tolls, with most owing less than $100.
(NOTE: This story has been corrected after originally reading that a system glitch was the reason for the pause in penalties)
