In an era where toll roads are increasingly common, understanding the nuances of overcharges has become essential for motorists. Toll overcharges can arise from a multitude of factors, often leading to frustration and confusion among drivers. This article offers a detailed exploration of the origins of toll overcharges, including errors by users and toll agencies, as well as effective strategies for resolving them.

Causes of Toll Overcharges

Tolls charged in error generally stem from two broad categories: user mistakes and toll agency mistakes. User errors can include incorrect toll transponder placement, expired toll account information, or simply passing through a toll plaza without paying due to oversight or misunderstanding. Conversely, toll agency mistakes might involve equipment malfunctions, misreads of license plates, or errors in billing systems. Any one of these issues can lead to tolls being overcharged or even charged twice.

Understanding the main types of toll overcharges is key to navigating the resolution process.

Maximum Tolls

As an alternative to collecting a toll at every plaza, some toll roads record the entry and exit point of a vehicle, then charge a toll based on the distance the vehicle traveled. While distance-based toll roads allow users to pay proportionately to the distance they travel, these toll roads often lead to Maximum Tolls when not working perfectly. Maximum Tolls are often charged when the distance-based toll system fails to properly record a vehicle's entry or exit, resulting in the system defaulting to the highest possible toll charge.

Misclassifications

Occasionally, a commercial vehicle may be charged for one or two more axles more than what the vehicle actually has. In these instances, the toll agency has misclassified the vehicle and charged a higher toll rate.

It is imperative that fleet managers keep their vehicles and toll transponders together, as the transponder is linked to vehicle information kept by the toll agency. If a toll transponder is found in a different vehicle that does not match agency records, the toll agency may misclassify the vehicle and result in a toll overcharge.

Duplicate Tolls

Instances where a driver is billed more than once for the same toll transaction are known as duplicate tolls. Duplicate tolls are made by the same vehicle, at the same toll plaza, and at the same time or within 3 minutes of each other. 

Duplicate tolls are usually seen as two transponder tolls found on an agency toll statement, but in some instances, a toll agency may charge a transponder toll and a license plate photo toll. Regardless of the vehicle class or specifications, one vehicle should only be charged for one toll.  Duplicate tolls are often due to system or processing errors on the toll agency's end.

Disputing Tolls with tollogic™

Errors such as misclassifications, duplicate charges, and maximum tolls not only cause frustration but can also lead to unnecessary financial burdens. Recognizing this pain point, tollogic offers an innovative solution that empowers users to take control of their toll transactions with precision and confidence.

By allowing users to upload their toll agency statements and invoices, Tollogic's system matches each actual toll to a GPS-based toll calculated using onboard vehicle telematics. This approach ensures that every toll charge is scrutinized against a proprietary toll database, enabling tollogic to determine the accuracy of each toll price with unmatched precision.

While tollogic™ equips customer with a powerful toolkit of information, so they can confidently dispute overcharged tolls and save more. Users are provided with a comprehensive overview of their toll road usage and any potential inaccuracies in billing. This detailed summary highlights overcharges, then goes a step further and organizes the essential evidence needed to effectively dispute unjust tolls.

Start Paying Less

Navigating and disputing toll overcharges requires a clear understanding of the potential causes and an organized approach to challenging unwarranted charges. By understanding each type of overcharge, you can effectively manage and resolve each one you encounter. And now with tollogic™, drivers and businesses alike can rest assured that they have a vigilant ally in ensuring the fairness and accuracy of every toll charge. 

Contact us to learn how tollogic™ can streamline your toll management.