Oct 11, 2024
New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch issued a stern warning to drivers who obscure their car's license plate to avoid paying tolls.
Speaking to ABC 7 reporters, Tisch cautioned, "You're gonna go to sleep and you may be smug about the fact that you haven't paid any tolls or fees, but you will wake up to find your ghost car is gone.”
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Her bold message highlights the city’s crackdown on the widespread issue. Ghost cars use products that obscure license plates from toll booths and speed and traffic cameras. When video surveillance tries to take a photo of the license plate, it is unable to read it.
According to reports, these surreptitious tactics cost New York City up to $200 million annually, and NYC is finally cracking down. A new law banning the sale of products that cover or obscure plates went into effect in September. The joint effort between the NYPD and the NYC Department of Sanitation paired 15 NYPD officers with the department to tow any ghost cars parked on the street.
"We're going after them!" New York City Mayor Eric Adams told reporters. "It's been ignored for so many years."
Why are ghost cars such a big deal?
Ghost cars use products, like non-slip scooter grip tape, reflective tag covers and bug protectors to hide their license plates. When the cameras use their flash, the light reflects off the plate, blocking out any identifiers. Drivers often discover these hacks on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where posts advertise illegal behavior and sell products.
While influencers promote these actions as a way to save money and beat the system, it has real consequences for large cities, like New York. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine reported these plates and products have led to $21 million in uncollected fees.
The lost money helps reduce traffic by encouraging drivers to use other modes of transportation during peak traffic hours and fund much-needed upgrades to the city's transit infrastructure.
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Ghost cars also increase public safety concerns. Drivers using these methods may feel emboldened to break traffic laws, knowing they can evade traffic cameras, which can lead to reckless driving. Additionally, vehicles with obscured plates used in hit-and-run accidents, robberies or other crimes become untraceable, making it difficult for law enforcement to locate perpetrators and delaying or preventing justice for victims.
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How much could having a ghost car cost you?
The cost of tolls in NYC is high, as much as $11.19 per vehicle. A new congestion relief toll could cost as much as $15 per car during peak times. But the cost of getting busted for a ghost car can be even higher.
For starters, your car may be seized. The vehicles seized will be held at NYPD lots for a week and if the cars are not claimed, they will be auctioned off or destroyed. Fines for ghost cars can range from $100 to $500, but you could also lose your license, depending on your driving record.
To avoid these repercussions, ensure your car is legally registered through the New York State Department of Transportation. Do not use a paper license plate or obscure your license plate number in any way.
If you struggle to pay tolls, consider taking public transportation, carpooling or looking for discount programs. Some people, such as those eligible for the low-income discount plan, can pay less for tolls. The EZ-pass also offers discounts based on where you drive and how often you pass through tolls. This small device is installed on your vehicle's windshield makes the toll process easier. If you fail to follow the law, Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi has a message for you:
“The era of the free ride is over,” he said. “Whether you’re using a ghost plate to evade a toll or create a menace on our streets, you will be caught and you will be prosecuted."
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Danielle is a personal finance writer based in Ohio. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love.
