Upvote:3
From the PA E-ZPass site What is a Violation?
WHAT IS A VIOLATION?
- Vehicle exits through an E-ZPass lane without a valid E-ZPass transponder.
- Vehicle exits through an E-ZPass lane AND the license plate of the vehicle is not listed on an existing E-ZPass account.
- Vehicle exits through an E-ZPass lane AND there are insufficient funds in the account to pay the toll
Given that the second point is explicit about not having an account I am inclined to believe that the first point applies to you as it does not mention an account registered to the car.
So it looks like you either have to manually pay tolls, or avoid toll roads if you don't want to get a nice violation (or 2 or 3 etc) in the mail.
Personal anecdote here. A few weeks ago I mistakenly went through a toll point in Norfolk VA (didn't even realize that I was in a toll lane). I got a violation notice in the mail for around $5, and they helpfully pointed out that if I had had an E-ZPass it would only have cost me around $3 for the toll. So be prepared to pay extra $$ for your toll violations.
BTW the VA E-ZPass site is a bit more verbose:
3. I am an E-ZPass Customer, why did I receive a Toll Violation Notice?
If you are an E-ZPass Customer and have received a violation notice(s), then one of the following situations may apply:
The transponder is not mounted properly in your vehicle
The transponder has been reported lost or stolen
The transponder is malfunctioning
Your account balance is negative
Your vehicle windshield blocks the transponder signal requiring that you use an externally mounted transponder
Your current license plate information has not been added to your account
You have not registered an On-the-Go transponder and you have exhausted the available funds
Please contact the E-ZPass Service Center at once to update your account information and receive instructions on how to correct the problem at 1-877-762-7824.
I'd say that not having the E-ZPass in your car is the equivalent of the transponder not being properly mounted.