What is a suspension for failure to pay tolls? 
If you do not pay a required toll, fee or other charge to a tolling authority, which operates a toll highway, bridge and/or tunnel facility, your registration may be suspended. 

Who issues toll violations? 
A tolling authority , which includes the New York State Thruway Authority, the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority MTA Bridges and Tunnels and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. 

What happens if I don t pay a toll? 
If you fail to pay tolls, fees or other charges in relation to 3 or more tolling violations, all committed within 5 years, or fail to pay $200 in tolls accumulated within 5 years, if the violations occurred in a commercial vehicle, or fail to have them dismissed or transferred , the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles, " DMV " may send you a Notice of Registration Suspension. The notice will advise you that if you pay all of the tolls, fees or other charges owed to the tolling authority, or have them dismissed or transferred, the suspension will not take effect. You also have the right to a hearing before the DMV. If you request a DMV hearing , the suspension is placed on hold pending the outcome of the hearing. 

What is the purpose of a DMV hearing? 
The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether the tolling authority notified you that you failed to pay tolls, fees or other charges related to 3 or more violations of the Authority s toll collection regulations, all such violations committed within a 5 year period, or failed to pay $200 in tolls accumulated within 5 years, if the violations occurred in a commercial vehicle, or failed to have them dismissed or transferred. At the hearing , you may NOT dispute whether you evaded a toll and/or failed to pay tolls, fees or other charges. You must raise those issues with the tolling authority outside of the hearing. 

Must I appear for the hearing? 
As the Notice of Registration Suspension indicates , you may request an in - person DMV hea

user: what are my options for a hearing on my toll problem?

assistant: Have you received a Notice of Registration Suspension?

user: yes

assistant: As the notice states you may request an in-person DMV hearing or you may request a hearing by affidavit.  The Notice of Registration Suspension provides instructions on how to submit an affidavit to DMV if that is what you choose to do.

user: why do we need the hearing?

assistant: The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether the tolling authority notified you that you failed to pay tolls, fees or other charges related to 3 or more violations of the Authority’s toll collection regulations, all such violations committed within a 5-year period, or failed to pay $200 in tolls accumulated within 5 years, if the violations occurred in a commercial vehicle. At the hearing, you may NOT dispute whether you evaded a toll and/or failed to pay tolls, fees or other charges. 

user: so I can just do the affidavit on the hearing and I won't have to show up?

assistant: If you submit the affidavit you will not have to appear at the hearing

user: can I have avoided the suspension?

assistant: Yes, the notice informed you that if you pay all of the tolls, fees or other charges owed to the tolling authority, or have them dismissed or transferred , the suspension will not take effect .

user: too late now, so I can do the hearing or the one where I don't have to show up?

assistant: yes, you may request an in - person DMV hearing or you may request a hearing by affidavit this is a hearing on paper

user: what if I do neither?

assistant: your registration will be suspended immediately

user: what can I do next time, who do I call to pay?

assistant: You may contact the Customer Service Center and speak with a customer service specialist.  Each tolling authority has a Customer Service Center and they can provide you information on your outstanding violation.