What the New Jersey EZPass senior discount covers

New Jersey offers a 50% discount on tolls for drivers age 65 and older who use EZPass at most of the state's toll facilities. The discount applies automatically once you enroll in the program — you do not pay a reduced rate at the time of crossing; instead, the discount appears as a credit on your EZPass bill each month.

The discount covers tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and the Atlantic City Expressway. It does not cover tolls on the Delaware River bridges (the Ben Franklin, Commodore Barry, or Betsy Ross bridges), which are operated by a separate authority. If you cross those bridges regularly, you would need to look into their separate senior programs.

You must maintain an active EZPass account and keep a balance available. The discount is not a separate payment method — it is a monthly credit applied to your existing account after tolls are charged.

Key Takeaways

  • New Jersey seniors age 65 and older receive a 50% discount on tolls at the Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Atlantic City Expressway through EZPass.
  • The discount is automatic once enrolled and appears as a monthly credit on your EZPass bill, not as a reduced rate at the toll booth.
  • You must have an active EZPass account with available funds to receive the discount.
  • Delaware River bridge tolls are not included and have their own separate senior discount programs run by the Delaware River Port Authority.

How to enroll in the senior discount program

To enroll, you need an existing EZPass account. If you do not have one, you can open an account online at nj.gov/ezpass or by calling the EZPass Customer Service Center at 1-888-288-6688. You will need a valid driver's license or state ID, a vehicle registration, and a payment method (credit card or bank account).

Once your EZPass account is active, contact EZPass Customer Service to request the senior discount. You will need to provide proof of age — a driver's license, passport, or state ID showing you are 65 or older. The discount can usually be added to your account over the phone or through the online account portal, depending on which method the current system supports.

There is no separate fee to enroll in the senior discount program. The 50% credit begins appearing on your monthly statement once the discount is activated.

What happens to your tolls after enrollment

When you cross a toll plaza, your EZPass tag is read and the full toll amount is deducted from your account balance as usual. At the end of each month, EZPass calculates 50% of all tolls you paid that month and credits that amount back to your account. So if you paid $100 in tolls during the month, you receive a $50 credit.

The credit appears on your next bill statement. You do not see a reduced rate at the toll booth itself — the discount is always applied after the fact through the monthly billing cycle. This means you need to maintain enough balance in your account to cover the full toll amount when you cross, even though half will be credited back later.

If your account balance runs low, you can add funds online, by phone, or through automatic replenishment, which many account holders set up to avoid running out of money between toll crossings.

Maintaining your account and keeping the discount active

Your senior discount remains active as long as your EZPass account is in good standing. This means keeping a positive or zero balance and not letting your account lapse. If you do not use your EZPass for an extended period, the account may be closed by the provider, and you would need to reactivate it and request the senior discount again.

If you move out of state or no longer need the account, you can close it and request a refund of any remaining balance. If you later move back to New Jersey or want to use EZPass again, you can open a new account and re-enroll in the senior discount.

EZPass occasionally sends account statements and notices by mail or email. Keep these records and monitor your account balance regularly to make sure the discount is being applied and to catch any billing errors.

What to do if the discount is not appearing on your bill

If you enrolled in the senior discount but do not see the credit on your monthly statement, first check that your account shows the discount as active. Log into your EZPass account online or call Customer Service at 1-888-288-6688 to confirm the discount was added.

If the discount is listed as active but the credit did not appear, it may take one full billing cycle to process. Some accounts show the credit starting the month after enrollment, while others may take longer. If two months have passed and you still do not see it, contact Customer Service with your account number and the dates you crossed tolls. They can review your account and explore any missing credits manually.

Keep your toll receipts or statements from the first month after enrollment so you have documentation if there is a delay or error.

EZPass account fees and other costs

EZPass accounts in New Jersey do not charge a monthly account fee. You only pay for the tolls you use, minus the 50% senior discount. Some account holders choose to set up automatic replenishment, which adds funds to the account when the balance drops below a certain level — this is optional and has no fee, though some banks may charge a fee for the automatic transfer itself.

If you lose your EZPass tag or need a replacement, there may be a replacement fee. Check the current fee structure on the EZPass website or ask when you call Customer Service.

If you have multiple vehicles, you can add additional tags to your account, each with its own fee for the tag itself, but all tags on the same account share the senior discount benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use EZPass to get the senior discount, or can I pay cash at the toll booth?

You must use EZPass to receive the senior discount. Cash toll lanes no longer exist at most New Jersey toll facilities. If you do not have EZPass, you can pay by mail after crossing, but you will not receive the senior discount and will pay the full toll rate plus a processing fee.

Can I transfer my senior discount to a family member's EZPass account?

No. The discount is tied to the account holder who is age 65 or older. Each person who qualifies for the senior discount must have their own EZPass account with the discount enrolled on it. If a spouse or family member also qualifies, they can open a separate account and request the discount on their own account.

What if I turn 65 after I already have an EZPass account?

Contact EZPass Customer Service and request to add the senior discount to your existing account. You will need to provide proof of age. The discount can usually be added within a few business days, and the credit will begin appearing on your next monthly bill.

Does the 50% discount explore to tolls on the Delaware River bridges?

No. The Delaware River bridges (Ben Franklin, Commodore Barry, and Betsy Ross) are operated by the Delaware River Port Authority, not by New Jersey. They have their own separate senior discount program. You can contact the Port Authority at 1-856-968-2220 or visit their website to learn about their senior toll rates.

What happens to my account if I move out of New Jersey?

You can keep your EZPass account active even if you move, and the senior discount will remain in place if you return to New Jersey to use the tolls. If you no longer plan to use New Jersey tolls, you can close your account and request a refund of any remaining balance. If you move back later, you can open a new account and re-enroll in the senior discount.