Roughly 18% of Virginia’s E-Z Pass holders have been using their transponders long enough that they’re outside the warranty periods for the batteries. If the battery fails, drivers could rack up additional fees if their license plate doesn’t match the one on file.
The battery in the standard E-Z Pass transponder has a 10-year warranty. The battery in the flex model is warrantied for seven and a half years.
Transponders can continue to work long after the warranty expires, said David Caudill with the Virginia Department of Transportation’s tolling operations.
“Most people don't use a toll road every day, which means that that transponder would just barely trickle along, and the battery lasts a considerable length of time,” Caudill said.
Most toll road activity occurs as people commute between work and home, Caudill said. But VDOT sends reminders to E-Z Pass holders before summer and winter holidays, reminding people to check their account.
“With E-Z Pass, it's kind of so easy that it's in the background,” Caudill said. “But it does take a little activity from the account holder to make sure things are up-to-date.”
Before embarking on road trips this holiday season, he said people should make sure their phone number, email address and license plate number on file are current in case the transponder fails, which can be due to anything from a dying battery to how it’s mounted.
“If you don't have your license plate, then what will happen is it won't recognize you as an easy pass customer, and it'll generate a violation that does come with additional fees,” he said.
If a transponder’s battery dies, drivers can mail the device to the E-Z Pass Customer Service Center for a free replacement. Because the transponders are state property, drivers are only charged if the device is damaged or not sent back.