Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Toll Dispute – Improper Notice
The Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission operates the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway and uses Geaux Pass / pay-by-plate enforcement. Under La. R.S. §47:820.5.4 and the Commission's regulations, notice of toll violation must be mailed to the registered owner within a reasonable time after the alleged violation, and administrative fees may not be assessed until the owner has had an opportunity to pay the underlying toll. The Causeway has historically been challenged for excessive administrative fees stacking on small unpaid tolls.
Legal basis
La. R.S. §47:820.5.4; La. R.S. §48:1306; La. C.C. art. 2055 (excessive penalty clauses subject to reduction)
Sample appeal wording
Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission – Violation Department [ADDRESS] Re: Violation Notice [NOTICE#] – Plate [PLATE] CONTEST – DEFECTIVE NOTICE & EXCESSIVE PENALTY I dispute the above violation notice on the following grounds: 1. Defective Notice: The first notice I received was dated [DATE], approximately [N] days after the alleged crossing on [DATE]. La. R.S. §47:820.5.4 requires prompt notice; this delay was unreasonable and prejudiced my ability to identify and contest the alleged crossing. 2. Excessive Penalty: The unpaid toll is $[X]. The fees demanded total $[Y], a multiplier of [Y/X]. Under La. C.C. art. 2012 and 2055, a stipulated penalty 'so manifestly unreasonable as to be contrary to public policy' is subject to reduction by the court. Louisiana civil law does NOT enforce penalty clauses that operate as windfalls; penalties must approximate actual damages. 3. Right to Pay Underlying Toll: I tender $[X] (the actual unpaid toll) and request administrative fees be waived as a matter of law and equity. If this contest is not resolved in my favour, I request a hearing before the Commission with the right of appeal to the [PARISH] District Court under La. R.S. §49:964. [NAME] | [ADDRESS] | [PLATE] | [DATE]
Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.
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- La. R.S. §47:820.5.4
- La. R.S. §48:1306
- La. C.C. art. 2012, 2055
- Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission rules