General Information

Cash and E-ZPass® are the only payment options available when you arrive at a toll plaza on the West Virginia Turnpike. The following describes each lane type and what forms of payment are accepted in each lane:

E-ZPass® Only: These are electronic toll collection lanes in which you drive at the posted speed without stopping. To use these lanes you must have an E-ZPass® transponder.
Exact Change: This lane has a coin collection machine with or without a staffed toll booth. E-ZPass® transponders are also accepted.
Full Service: These lanes are staffed 24/7 and accept Cash and E-ZPass® Transponders.

Note: The following forms of payment are NOT accepted as payment for toll at any of the toll Plazas on the West Virginia Turnpike: Checks, Money Orders, Credit or Debit cards, and Foreign Currency.

What is E-ZPass and how does it work?

E-ZPass® is an electronic toll collection system that brings traveling convenience and allows you to pass through, without stopping to pay the toll or use tickets, at any E-ZPass® compatible toll facilities, including the West Virginia Turnpike. The E-ZPass® system uses transponder-based technology to electronically record toll usage.

When you establish an E-ZPass® account, you will receive a small electronic transponder that is installed on the windshield inside your car using fasteners that come with your transponder. The transponder should be installed approximately one inch below the top of your windshield above your rearview mirror. If there is not enough room above your mirror, or it contains dark tint, the transponder should be installed to the right of the mirror. Some vehicles may require an external transponder that is attached to the front license plate of the vehicle.

As transponder-equipped vehicles travel through E-ZPass® toll lanes, an overhead antenna reads the account information stored in the transponder. You will receive a green light indicating your signal has been read. Tolls are automatically debited from the customer’s pre-paid toll balance. If you receive a red light, continue through the toll plaza, but you should immediately contact the Customer Service Center at 1-800-206-6222 as there is a problem with your account or account balance.

What are the benefits of having an E-ZPass® transponder?

The benefits of having an E-ZPass® are:

Convenience: E-ZPass® technology permits vehicle operators to travel the full length of the West Virginia Turnpike without stopping to pay the toll. Through this unique electronic toll collection system, motorists can experience toll road travel without the hassle of manually paying with cash, tickets, charge cards or tokens. E-ZPass® eliminates the need for payment to change hands at a toll booth. Vehicle windows do not need to be opened to complete the toll transaction. This reduces travel time, increases mobility, and helps reduce fuel consumption.
Savings: Vehicles using E-Zpass receive discounts at many toll facilities.
Accounting records: E-ZPass® automatically records each toll transaction for customers, including date, time, plaza, toll charge and vehicle classification for all E-ZPass® toll facilities that are used. And, because E-ZPass® records each toll transaction, it’s a fast way to keep track of your travel expenses for business or tax purposes. Customers may receive an itemized monthly statement via the US Mail or e-mail. You can also view transactions on the web any time during the month.
Usable throughout most of Northeast U.S.: E-ZPass® provides economic benefits to the region by way of improved and more efficient movement of commercial goods and improved air quality. If you have a West Virginia issued transponder with a Pre-Paid toll balance you can use your E-ZPass® transponder on all toll roads with the specially marked E-ZPass® logo. This currently includes roads in Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Will my transponder work in all lanes?

Yes, ALL 38 toll lanes on the West Virginia Turnpike have electronic toll collection capabilities with antennas and readers for the transponder system. Every lane (with the exception of an “E-ZPass® Only” dedicated lane, “see below”) has the dual function of accepting transponders AND cash transactions.

What are “E-ZPass® Only” lanes?

When toll plazas dedicate a particular lane(s) for electronic toll collection, a sign will be activated indicating “E-ZPass® Only” and cash transactions are not accepted in this lane. As stated above, E-ZPass® is accepted in ALL lanes; however, when placed in a dedicated mode, this lane will be opened exclusively to customers with an E-ZPass® transponder.

NOTE: There are times when the “E-ZPass® Only” lane is not open. This is during heavy traffic periods in the summer, holidays and certain weekends when a large percentage of travelers do not have E-ZPass®. The reason lanes are not dedicated during these times is because more traffic can be processed through the plaza if every booth is manually staffed. This does not mean that E-ZPass® customers have to stop to pay toll while passing through a manned toll lane.

Will manual collection still be available at the toll plazas?

Yes. E-ZPass® is an electronic alternative for toll collection, but manual collection will also still be available at all toll plazas.

Is the West Virginia E-ZPass® compatible with other states offering E-ZPass®?

Yes, customers with an account from any of the agencies listed below can use their transponder on the West Virginia Turnpike. Likewise, the West Virginia Parkways E-ZPass® transponder with a Pre-Paid toll balance will work on any of the systems listed below:

Burlington County Bridge Commission

Chicago Skyway

Delaware Department of Transportation

Delaware River and Bay Authority

Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission

Delaware River Port Authority

Illinois State Toll Highway Authority

Indiana Toll Road

Maine Turnpike Authority

Maryland Transportation Authority

MTA Bridges and Tunnels

Massachusetts Port Authority

Massachusetts Turnpike Authority

New Hampshire DOT Bureau of Turnpikes

New Jersey Turnpike Authority

New York State Bridge Authority

New York State Thruway Authority

North Carolina Turnpike Authority

Ohio Turnpike Commission

Peace Bridge Authority

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

Port Authority of New York/New Jersey

Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority

South Jersey Transportation Authority

Virginia Department of Transportation

West Virginia Turnpike

How does my West Virginia E-ZPass® work in other states that accept E-ZPass®?

With only one pre-paid account, E-ZPass® customers may use all E-ZPass® compatible facilities (listed above). If West Virginia E-ZPass® customers use other E-ZPass® compatible facilities, they will see this toll transaction information on their monthly statement from the West Virginia Parkways Authority. It will detail the tolls deducted from their accounts on the out-of-state facilities that were used. Rates charged by those facilities are not the responsibility of the West Virginia Parkways Authority.

NOTE: If you set up Discount Plan #1 (commuter plan), you will need to pre-pay additional funds into your account for use on out of state E-ZPass facilities.

Do I have to open more than one account to use E-ZPass at other toll facilities?

No, only one pre-paid account is needed to use E-ZPass®.

What is the difference between a personal and a commercial account?

Personal accounts are accounts for private individuals or families and can have up to five (5) vehicles per account. Personal accounts are only valid on passenger vehicles, pick-up trucks, and motorcycles. With a personal account, the vehicle cannot have a company logo or be used for business. This plan is intended to help the private commuters.

Accounts mainly used for business travel are considered commercial accounts and may have an unlimited number of transponders.

Where and how can I sign up for the West Virginia E-ZPass®?

Applications and transponders can be picked up on location at 3310 Piedmont Road, Charleston, WV 25306. They can also be downloaded on the website here: (E-ZPass Personal Account Application.pdf/ E-ZPass Commercial Account Application.pdf). Applications may be picked up at any West Virginia Turnpike Toll Plaza, Travel Plaza Tourist Information Center or at any West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles office. If you have any questions or would like an application mailed to you, please call the West Virginia Parkways Authority’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-206-6222.

Can I sign up for West Virginia E-ZPass® on the West Virginia Turnpike website?

Yes, you can sign up for a West Virginia E-ZPass® on-line here.

How long will it take to receive my West Virginia E-ZPass® transponder?

Once you have ordered your transponder online, or by US Mail, allow 7 to 10 business days to receive your transponder. Your transponder will be active and ready to use on the West Virginia Parkways; however, you will need to allow 72 hours for activation and use of the transponder in other states.

Once I purchase my E-ZPass®, when can I start to use it?

It can take up to ten business days to receive your West Virginia E-ZPass® transponder via US Mail. Once you receive the transponder in the mail it will already be active and you can install your E-ZPass® transponder in your vehicle as soon as you like and once your transponder is accepted in a full-service cash lane, you can start to use the E-ZPass® only lanes if you like. If you receive the transponder in person at our Customer Service Center, it can take up to 24 hours for all 38 toll lanes on the West Virginia Turnpike to receive the computer file containing your transponder activation. It can take up to 72 hours for all out of state toll lanes to receive the same activation. Until this time spans lapse, please use the cash lane.

What should I do with my E-ZPass® once I receive it?

Once you open the package, verify that all of the information is correct. You do not have to sign anything or return any forms. These forms are for your records. Save the metallic bag the E-ZPass® was shipped in, you may need this in the future. This bag can be used to ship or store your E-ZPass® when you do not want it to be read in toll lanes. Correctly install your E-ZPass® according to the instructions included with your package and once the time spans lapse above expire, you can begin to enjoy all the benefits of your E-ZPass®.

If I use a manned tollbooth lane with my E-ZPass®, do I pay the cash price?

No, you pay the E-ZPass® price whenever you use your activated and valid E-ZPass® on the West Virginia Turnpike. Please make sure to keep a positive E-ZPass® balance by keeping your form of payment valid and up-to-date and mounting your E-ZPass® correctly. However, if your E-ZPass® does not read due to improper usage or installation you will have to pay the full cash toll amount.

Can I use my E-ZPass® in multiple vehicles or in a rental car?

Yes, you can; however, it is not advisable due to transponder installation issues. You must register any vehicle using your transponder to the E-ZPass® account. In the case of an unsuccessful toll transaction using the E-ZPass®, an unregistered vehicle may be subject to toll violations and fines not only here in West Virginia, but also on other toll roads and the driver will have to pay the full cash toll rate.

Can I use E-ZPass® on a motorcycle?

Yes, however, there are no recommended installation locations and we cannot guarantee the functionality.

What happens if I speed through an E-ZPass® lane?

As you approach and pass through a toll lane, you will under no circumstances exceed a speed of 5 miles per hour. Improper use of your West Virginia E-ZPass® transponder, improper speeds through toll lanes or failure to pay the proper toll may result in an administrative fee and/or loss of E-ZPass® transponder privileges. The administrative fee will be in addition to the toll amount and may be up to $25.00 per occurrence.