TRENTON, NJ — A bill introduced in the New Jersey Assembly would require the state’s two toll authorities to exempt certain disabled veterans from paying tolls through the E-ZPass system on the state’s major roadways.
Key Points
- Assembly Bill 5528 mandates toll exemptions for eligible disabled veterans using E-ZPass
- Applies to vehicles registered in New Jersey with “Disabled Vet” license plates
- Covers tolls collected by both the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and South Jersey Transportation Authority
Sponsored by Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez (D-19), Assembly Bill 5528 would establish a toll exemption program for disabled veterans on roadways operated by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA). The exemption would apply only to veterans who meet specific criteria, including having a valid “Disabled Vet” license plate issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and an active New Jersey E-ZPass account.
Veterans must first apply for and receive the specially designated license plate before they can submit an application for the toll exemption. Once approved, the authorities would be required to exempt their registered vehicles from E-ZPass toll charges.
Eligibility limited to specific vehicles and documentation
The bill stipulates that only vehicles owned or leased by the veteran and registered in New Jersey qualify for the exemption. Each authority must create and maintain systems for verifying and approving applications based on the license plate designation and active E-ZPass account status.
Under the legislation, toll collection systems managed by NJTA and SJTA would no longer charge tolls for qualified veterans operating eligible vehicles on routes including the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Atlantic City Expressway.
The proposed law would take effect 90 days after enactment.