Who Pays the Return Toll on a Taxi Trip to Newark?

The passenger does. On a NYC yellow taxi or green cab trip to Newark Airport, the passenger pays the meter, a $20.00 Newark surcharge, and all tolls going to the airport and coming back into New York, including the toll you pay on your empty drive home. TLC Rule 58-26(c)(3) lists the fare as the meter "plus a surcharge of $20.00, plus all necessary tolls to and from the destination." TLC's fare page puts it plainly: "passengers are charged for the drivers' return tolls."

This page explains the rule. It is not legal advice.

The rule, in three parts

Rule 80-17(f)(3) in Chapter 80 tells the driver what to do on a Newark trip:

1. Keep the meter recording for the whole trip (80-17(f)(3)(i), fine $100).
2. Before you start, tell the passenger how the fare is calculated, "including the payment of tolls out of and back into the City" (80-17(f)(3)(ii), fine $25).
3. The passenger "is also responsible for all necessary tolls charged for both going to the destination and for the Driver's return to the City" (80-17(f)(3)(iii)).

The meter screen should read "Rate #3 – Newark Airport" (TLC fare page). Green cabs follow the same Newark fare under Rule 82-26(c)(3).

Which tolls count as "return" tolls

From Manhattan, the Port Authority's Hudson River crossings charge only eastbound, into New York. Its tolls page says no tolls are collected entering New Jersey. So the biggest toll on a Newark run usually comes on your way back, after the passenger has left. That is exactly why the rule makes the passenger pay it.

As of October 12, 2026, the Port Authority toll for a car with a NY or NJ E-ZPass is $14.79 off-peak and $16.79 peak (peak: weekdays 6–10 a.m. and 4–8 p.m.; weekends 11 a.m.–9 p.m.). The New Jersey Turnpike also charges in both directions, by interchange. TLC's fare page says drivers must use E-ZPass and charge the discounted E-ZPass toll. Route-by-route totals are in Newark Airport tolls by route and NJ Turnpike tolls.

Worked example

This example uses a made-up meter amount to show the order of the charges. The $20.00 surcharge and the Port Authority toll are official figures; Turnpike amounts depend on your interchange.

Charge only the tolls you will actually pay, at your E-ZPass rate. If you charge more than the real toll, that can be an overcharge under 80-17(a), with mandatory penalties starting at $350.

Exceptions and edge cases

• The passenger pays by card in the cab. The tolls must be added to the fare before payment. Explain the return toll at the start of the trip, as the rule requires, so it is not a surprise at the end.
• You will not drive straight back. The rule makes no exception for this case. The safe practice is to charge only the necessary tolls for a direct return, at your E-ZPass rate.
• Livery and black car trips. These are not metered. Rule 59A-23(b)(2) of Chapter 59 says on trips beyond the City "the passenger must pay all necessary tolls to and from the destination." The $20 surcharge is a taxi and green cab rule.
• Uber and Lyft trips. Rule 59D-17(c) says the app company "must remit to the Driver the entirety of any toll paid by the Driver during a dispatched trip." The rule does not mention your empty drive back, so don't assume that toll is repaid. Check your app's toll policy and your pay statement. See who pays tolls on Uber and Lyft trips and what is the airport fee on an Uber trip?
• Can you refuse a Newark trip? In general, no. Newark Airport is a mandatory destination under Rule 80-20(a)(1). See do taxis have to go to Newark Airport?
• Picking up at Newark. NYC taxis have no hail rights at Newark, which is in New Jersey. App drivers should read can NYC Uber drivers pick up at Newark?

Two other trips also make the passenger pay tolls both ways: Westchester and Nassau trips, and some trips over the Verrazzano-Narrows, Cross Bay and Marine Parkway bridges. See the Verrazzano and Rockaway return toll rule and who pays tolls on taxi trips.

More: Staten Island drivers often reach Newark over the Goethals or Outerbridge, which are also Port Authority crossings. See the airports topic.