Findings and Recommendations
Out-of-State Toll Collections
Finding 1 The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) did not take available actions to collect unpaid tolls and penalties incurred by out-of-state vehicles, which totaled $818.1 million as of January 2026. Analysis MDTA did not take available actions to collect unpaid tolls and penalties incurred by out-of-state vehicles. As of January 2026, unpaid tolls and penalties incurred by out-of-state vehicles totaled $818.1 million (see Figure 3). According to MDTA records, approximately $668.7 million (82 percent) was outstanding for
more than year, including $386.3 million that was outstanding more than three years. Our review disclosed that although MDTA sent the registered owner of the out-of- state vehicle a notice of the toll and assessed penalties when the tolls were unpaid, 2 it did not take available action to collect the amounts due.
Figure 3 Out-of-State Vehicle Tolls and Penalties Unpaid as of January 2026 (amounts in millions) State Tolls Penalties Total Virginia $ 51.9 $182.8 $234.7 Pennsylvania 26.1 71.4 97.5 New Jersey 26.5 54.2 80.7 Florida 24.8 38.2 63.0 North Carolina 19.1 39.5 58.6 Other States 82.5 201.1 283.6 Total $230.9 $587.2 $818.1 Source: MDTA records
Specifically, as of February 2026, MDTA did not execute reciprocity agreements with other states as allowed by State law which could include provisions for these states to suspend the out-of-state motorists’ vehicle registration if the tolls are not paid. In addition, MDTA did not contract with a third-party collection agency to help collect the unpaid tolls and civil penalties or request approval from the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to refer these accounts to the Central Collection Unit (CCU). State law allows MDTA to refer out-of-state motorists to CCU only if it obtains approval from the Secretary of DBM.
2 A $25 penalty is assessed for each video toll transaction not paid by the specified due date, which is generally 45 days after the date of the invoice.
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