MnPASS / E-ZPass MN Toll Violation — Misread Plate / Account Defense
MnPASS (now E-ZPass MN) operates electronic tolling on I-394, I-35W, and I-35E MnPASS lanes via overhead transponder readers and license plate cameras. Toll-by-plate violations require the system to correctly identify the vehicle. Common defenses: (1) plate misread (especially MN plates with similar O/0 or B/8); (2) registered transponder was active but not detected (system error); (3) account had sufficient balance and auto-replenish was active; (4) vehicle was not in the MnPASS lane (camera angle false positive); (5) violation notice not properly served per Minn. Stat. §160.93 subd. 6. MnDOT routinely dismisses on first appeal when account/transponder records are produced.
Legal basis
Minn. Stat. §160.93 (HOT lanes/MnPASS); Minn. R. 8810.9000 et seq.; Minn. Stat. §169.06 (signage)
Sample appeal wording
[DATE] E-ZPass MN Customer Service Center [ADDRESS] Re: Violation Notice #[NUMBER] — Vehicle [PLATE], Date [DATE] I dispute this MnPASS violation under Minn. Stat. §160.93. [Choose applicable basis:] [ ] My MnPASS transponder #[TRANSPONDER_SERIAL] was active, mounted, and the account had a balance of $[AMOUNT] at the time of the alleged violation. The toll should have been deducted automatically. System error, not driver fault. [ ] The license plate captured by the system reads [PLATE A] but my actual plate is [PLATE B]. Photograph attached. [ ] I was not in the MnPASS lane at [TIME] on [DATE]. I was traveling [ROUTE] in the general-purpose lanes. Trip log/GPS attached. [ ] Violation notice was first received on [DATE], more than 30 days after the alleged violation, in violation of §160.93 subd. 6 notice requirements. I request dismissal and request the violation image and transponder read log under Minn. Stat. §13.03. [NAME] [ACCOUNT NUMBER]
Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.
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- Minn. Stat. §160.93 (revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/160.93)
- MnDOT MnPASS / E-ZPass MN: dot.state.mn.us/mnpass/
- Minn. Rules Chapter 8810