Northeast U.S. FAQ's I-Pass     PP

PlatePass® is an electronic toll payment system that enables renters to use high-speed electronic toll collection lanes and bypass backups at cash lanes. The PlatePass service enables you to avoid costly toll violation fines otherwise incurred if high-speed toll lanes are used without special equipment. If a renter travels on an E-ZPass or I-PASS toll road, the Hertz renter has the option of using the express lanes without stopping.

 

Renter Question

PlatePass® Response

1.      How does it work?

·    You automatically opt in to use PlatePass when you use the E-Z Pass or I-Pass toll lanes.  When rental cars use these lanes, the toll system identifies the car and charges the posted toll to the Rental Agreement. All participating rental car company vehicles are equipped with an EZShield box attached to the windshield which contains a transponder. The EZShield box will be set to open and ready for use on toll roads. The renter can choose to pay cash by closing the EZShield box which will deactivate the transponder.  By keeping the box set to open, the renter is able to enjoy the services of PlatePass and drive through the high speed toll lanes.

2.      What does it cost?

·         You will be charged the cash or pay-by-mail toll rate, whichever is higher, as published by the toll authority, plus a service fee per rental day to a weekly or monthly maximum. If the rental is for multiple months, the PlatePass fees will only apply for the month when the PlatePass service was actually used. For example, if the car is rented for a two-month period, and PlatePass was only used during the first month, the fees will not apply to the second month. The month starts on the first day of the rental. You will be charged approximately 10 days after the rental car is returned. See your rental agreement for additional information about service fees.

3.      Why am I being charged a service fee?

·         The fee pays for the convenience of the program.

4.      How am I being charged for this service?

·         The service fee is applied on a rental day basis. Only one daily fee for the entire day until midnight, regardless if 1 or 50 tolls are incurred during that day. The renter will not be charged an administrative fee for more than 5 days during a 30 day period, although tolls will be charged at the posted cash rate.

5.      How do I get a receipt or view my charges?

·          You can access a receipt online and view your toll activity at www.PlatePass.com.  You will need your rental agreement number along with your rental return date.

6.      Where can I use PlatePass in the Northeast?

·         Anywhere you see a signed E-ZPass or I-PASS lane. The E-ZPass footprint spans through Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.  I-PASS toll roads are located in Illinois.

7.      Why should I use PlatePass?

·         Speed and convenience. With PlatePass, you don’t need to wait in long lines to pay cash so you can get where you are going faster.  There is no risk to use PlatePass as you are only charged if you go through a designated toll lane.

8.      What if I am paying cash and I don’t have a credit card on file?

·          You can still use PlatePass.  A paper invoice will be sent to you 2 weeks after the completion of your rental.

9.      How do I sign up for PlatePass?

·         No pre-enrollment or sign up is required. Every participating rental car company vehicle is PlatePass ready, including transponders (electronic devices). PlatePass does not require communication or intervention between rental car personnel and renters at the rental car site. Just keep the EZShield box open to use PlatePass.

10. Do E-ZPass holders get a discount on the toll amount?

·         A discount is only applied for E-ZPass or I-PASS toll road customers who have a personal or commercial account.

11. How does the EZShield box keep the transponder from being active?

·         The EZShield box blocks the radio frequency signals sent by toll tag readers to read transponders.

12. What if I have my own transponder?

·          You are welcome to bring your own transponder in your rental car. If you bring your
E-ZPass transponder with you in the rental car during your trip, please be sure to close the EZShield box so that the PlatePass transponder will not be activated.

13. What happens if the transponder is lost?

·         The transponder is your responsibility and lost transponders will incur a $40 lost transponder charge that will be posted to your credit card.

14. What happens if I get pulled over?

·         If you get pulled over because your transponder did not read after the toll booth, show the officer your tag and you will have no troubles.

15. What happens if the transponder does not work?

·         Transponders sometimes fail.  If so, the toll attendant will help you.

16. What happens if there is a gated lane?

·         No problem; the transponder will open all gates at E-ZPass and I-PASS signed acceptance points.

17. What Telephone # can I call if I have a question about my rental bill?

·         Hertz Customer Service: 1-888-777-6095

18. What Telephone # can I call if I have a question about PlatePass?

·         PlatePass Customer Service: 1-877-411-4300.  You may also visit the PlatePasswebsite at www.PlatePass.com For general questions, an email can also be sent to [email protected].

19. What happens if I rent a car for a long period time?

·         You may end up having your charges broken up into more than one invoice.

20. Where else can I use this program?

·         Colorado, Florida , North Carolina, the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, Texas, Washington and Puerto Rico. PlatePass enables rental car customers to avoid waiting in toll lines to pay cash or coins by using EXpressToll lanes in Colorado, the SunPass Only and E-Pass designated lanes in Florida, North Carolina Quick Pass, EZ TAG (non-gated) lanes in Texas, and Good to Go in Washington on State Road 520 Bridge and Tacoma Narrows Bridges only, as well as the AutoExpreso in Puerto Rico. In the Greater San Francisco Bay Area PlatePass is available on the following Bay Area Bridges: Antioch, Benicia-Martines, Carquines, Dumbarton, Golden Gate, Richmond-San Rafael, San Francisco-Oakland Bay, and San Mateo-Hayward. This means that a customer renting in any state throughout the U.S., can use PlatePass while traveling on toll roads in Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Washington and Texas. PlatePass uses a transponder in the Northeast U.S. The service will be coming soon to other major toll markets.