E-ZPass to switch from transponders to stickers in New Jersey – NBC New York

New Jersey drivers who use E-ZPass may soon see a major change to how they pay tolls.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority says it plans to replace the traditional windshield-mounted E-ZPass transponders with new digital sticker tags.

In a statement to NBC New York on Wednesday, the agency said it was “currently in the process of transitioning” to stickers embedded with digital chips, similar to systems already in use in other states.

There is currently no timeline for when the switch to the sticker-based system will take effect. The agency said the transition “is still in the early stages” — though one official told NJ.com that sticker tags could begin to be introduced by the end of 2026.

Unlike the current plastic transponders, the new stickers do not require batteries. Officials say that change will save the Turnpike Authority millions of dollars over time, since existing transponders must be replaced as their batteries wear out.

The battery life for the current transponders is typically between 8-10 years, NJ.com reported.

E-ZPass is widely used across New Jersey highways and bridges, including the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, allowing drivers to pay tolls electronically without stopping at toll booths.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC New York. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC New York journalist edited the article for publication.