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In short
For a driver who works in New York City, an E-ZPass New York account is the cheaper choice. At MTA bridges and tunnels, only E-ZPass NY (NYCSC) customers get the E-ZPass rate. Other states' tags pay the Tolls by Mail rate: $12.03 instead of $7.46 per car crossing at the big MTA bridges. At Port Authority crossings, NY and NJ tags get the same discount. An NJ tag only pays off on the New Jersey Turnpike, which has a lower "NJ E-ZPass Off-Peak" rate. TLC owner rules also name an MTA Bridges and Tunnels tag for the vehicle.
E-ZPass works in 19 states (NY.gov). It's easy to think a tag is a tag. It isn't. Each toll agency decides which issuers get its discount.
Agency by agency
MTA: the footnote that costs NJ drivers
MTA's rate table carries this footnote: "E-ZPass rates apply to NYCSC E-ZPass customers only. Non-NYCSC customers pay Tolls by Mail rates" (MTA). NYCSC is the E-ZPass New York Customer Service Center. The same footnote says NYCSC tags are issued by the Port Authority, the NYS Thruway and MTA Bridges and Tunnels, so all three count. A tag from New Jersey, Pennsylvania or any other E-ZPass agency still works at the gantry, but it is charged the mail rate:
- Major crossings: $12.03 instead of $7.46 ($4.57 more)
- Henry Hudson: $8.87 instead of $3.42 ($5.45 more)
- Cross Bay and Marine Parkway: $6.02 instead of $2.80 ($3.22 more)
A driver making 40 major MTA crossings a month pays 40 × $12.03 = $481.20 with an NJ tag, against 40 × $7.46 = $298.40 with a NY tag. That's $182.80 a month more.
Port Authority: NY and NJ are equal
The Port Authority says "All E-ZPass discounts apply only to New York and New Jersey E-ZPass account holders" (Port Authority). A NY tag and an NJ tag pay the same: $14.79 off-peak and $16.79 peak for a car, entering New York. Tags from other states pay more. Its two discount plans, the Staten Island Bridges Plan and the Green Pass for plug-in vehicles, need enrollment and a "private" account. The Staten Island plan also needs "non-commercial plates" (Port Authority E-ZPass). Ask E-ZPass whether a TLC-plated car qualifies before counting on either.
Thruway: NY tags only
The Thruway says "Standard E-ZPass NY rates apply to only E-ZPass Tag(s) issued by New York E-ZPass." It also says "All video transactions (license plate) will pay the Tolls by Mail rate." Its page lists the Standard E-ZPass NY rate as $7.25 at the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, $1.25 at Yonkers and $1.74 at New Rochelle (Thruway). The page shows no effective date and no rates for other tags. Commuter plans need "a properly mounted E-ZPass NY Tag."
NJ Turnpike: the one place an NJ tag helps
The 2026 Class 1 schedule lists three rows for each trip: Cash, E-ZPass, and NJ E-ZPass Off-Peak. Peak is Monday to Friday 7 to 9 a.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and all day Saturday and Sunday, based on entry time (NJTA). For drivers going to Newark Airport (interchange 13A):
The saving on a 13A to 16E trip is $1.43 off-peak. Compare that with the $4.57 an NJ tag loses on every major MTA crossing.
What TLC rules say about the tag
- The vehicle's tag. Taxis, FHVs and SHLs "must be equipped with a New York MTA Bridges & Tunnels EZ-Pass" (58-26(e)(1), 59A-23(a)(1), 82-26(f)(1)). Owners must keep a current E-ZPass NY account with MTA B&T, equip each vehicle with an MTA B&T tag or allow the driver's personal tag, and have at least one MTA tag per medallion or license (58-27, 59A-24, 82-27).
- The driver. Under 80-15(d)(2)-(3), you must use E-ZPass at all MTA crossings and "wherever else E-ZPass is accepted," and you "may use personal E-ZPass tags to meet this requirement." The fine for breaking (d)(1)-(3) is $100 if you plead guilty before a hearing, or $150 after.
- The gap. The driver rule doesn't say a personal tag must come from New York. The vehicle rule does name a NY MTA B&T tag. We don't know how TLC applies this to a driver's personal NJ tag. Ask TLC before relying on one. Either way, at MTA crossings it is billed at the mail rate.
There's also the fare question. Passengers pay "the actual amount (often a discounted toll) charged to the EZ-Pass" (58-26(e)(3)). Using a tag that is charged more raises a question you don't want to argue with a passenger or an inspector. A NY tag avoids it.
If you live in New Jersey
If you live in New Jersey, you may already have an NJ E-ZPass for your personal car. NY.gov's sign-up page lists only plate numbers and a payment method as requirements for an E-ZPass NY account. If you have doubts about your situation, check when you apply. One option is two accounts: the NJ tag for the family car and an E-ZPass NY tag on the TLC vehicle's plate. Don't put the same plate on both accounts, or you may not be able to tell which one paid. Remember that a Port Authority crossing into New York is tolled, and the trip back into New Jersey is not (Port Authority).
How to check what you have now
- Look at the first three digits of the tag ID on the decal. 008 or 086 means MTA Bridges and Tunnels, 004 the Thruway, 005 the Port Authority, 022 New Jersey (Port Authority).
- Look at last month's statement for an MTA crossing. A car charged $7.46 at the RFK got the E-ZPass rate. $9.79 means Mid-Tier. $12.03 means you were charged the mail rate.
- If you see $12.03 with a tag that was read, the tag is probably not a NYCSC tag. Open an E-ZPass NY account, move the TLC plate to it, and close the old tag or move it to your personal car.
Pick your tag
Related
Frequently asked questions
Does an NJ E-ZPass get the discount at MTA bridges?
No. MTA's rate table says 'E-ZPass rates apply to NYCSC E-ZPass customers only. Non-NYCSC customers pay Tolls by Mail rates.' NYCSC is the E-ZPass New York Customer Service Center. An NJ tag pays $12.03 instead of $7.46 for a car at the major MTA crossings (rates effective January 4, 2026).
Does an NJ E-ZPass work at the GWB, Lincoln and Holland?
Yes, with the discount. The Port Authority says E-ZPass discounts apply to New York and New Jersey E-ZPass account holders.
Is there a discount only for NJ tags?
On the New Jersey Turnpike, the 2026 Class 1 schedule has a separate, lower row labeled 'NJ E-ZPass Off-Peak'. For example, interchange 13A to 16E is $5.71 with E-ZPass and $4.28 in that row.
Can I use a non-NY E-ZPass in my TLC car?
Rule 80-15(d)(3) lets drivers use personal E-ZPass tags. The owner rules require the vehicle's own tag to be an MTA Bridges and Tunnels tag. The rules don't say whether a personal tag must be from New York, so ask TLC before relying on an out-of-state tag. At MTA crossings it would pay the mail rate anyway.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- MTA: Tolls by vehicle type (rates effective Jan 4, 2026) mta.info
- Port Authority: Bridge and tunnel tolls panynj.gov
- Port Authority: E-ZPass plans and discounts panynj.gov
- NJ Turnpike Authority: 2026 Class 1 toll schedule njta.gov
- NYS Thruway: E-ZPass discount plans thruway.ny.gov
- TLC Rule Book Chapter 58 (58-26(e), 58-27) nyc.gov
- TLC Rule Book Chapter 80 (80-15(d)) nyc.gov
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.
TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.