Pennsylvania drivers are getting toll bills for trips they never took thanks to a huge license plate design flaw
Published on Mar 08, 2026 at 5:02 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Mar 08, 2026 at 5:02 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
People in Pennsylvania are feeling ticked off after receiving toll bills for trips that they never took – and it’s all down to a license plate design flaw.
To commemorate 250 years of the US, Pennsylvania released a Liberty Bell license plate.
It sounds like a nice way to ring in a milestone birthday for the nation, right?
Well, unfortunately toll cameras have misread these plates and it’s proved to be a massive headache for many drivers.
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Here’s how a Liberty Bell license plate led to a toll camera mix-up for Pennsylvania drivers
So what exactly has happened here?
The Pennsylvania Department of Transport redesigned the 0 so that it had a slash running through it.
This was done to differentiate from the letter O, which makes sense right?
And it’s not just the DOT in Pennsylvania who backed this change – the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators advised as best practice for plate readability.
The only problem is that toll cameras are mistaking this for a 8.
As a result, people are getting tickets when they shouldn’t be.
And if there’s one thing that’s worse than getting a driving ticket, it’s getting one for a car that isn’t yours.
Officials have said recalibration and software updates will fix this issue – so the new license plates are here to stay.
Any drivers have been advised to carefully review any Toll By Plate statements they’ve received.
Toll roads can be seriously costly – especially when things go wrong
For better or for worse, toll roads are a feature of our road systems.
If you happen to own one, you can expect a lot of payments to come your way – like this British businessman.
But when things go wrong, the costs will be passed onto the drivers.
Just take a look at what happened to this residents of this Texas neighborhood who didn’t realize they were commuting on a toll road.
And let us not forget the story of the Massachusetts woman who landed in a whole heap of trouble with her Simpsons themed license plate.
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
