Oklahoma Turnpike Fees are Ridiculously Easy to Avoid

We're going on three years since the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority removed the dependable human element in charging tolls in favor of streamlined automated plate-pay, but it could be costing more in lost revenue.

You know how it works. If you don't have a PikePass, you simply drive along and the OTA will snap a picture of your tag at designated toll plazas and mail a bill to the address associated with your license plate.

It costs roughly double to travel this way in Oklahoma vs PikePass, but people do it anyway. Not to mention, the out-of-state travelers aren't lining up to get those either... but there is a glaring problem with plate-pay...

If your tag is dirty, and the automated system can't read it, you travel for free.

Who would have thought a little dirt could so easily defeat a sophisticated and super-expensive piece of technology?

This is Oklahoma. How often do you see vehicles rolling down the road with obscured plates? I know in the rural areas I frequent, it's so common that local law enforcement doesn't usually think anything of it.

Years ago when plates were stamped, a little dirt didn't hide any information. The raised letters were readable regardless... but since Oklahoma started printing our license plates, the tiniest amount of dust and dirt means OTA's plate-pay system can't work.

Also, OTA accepts this as the cost of doing automated business.

It says on their own website that if your plate is obscured, you won't be charged. No mention of fees or penalties. They just politely ask you to keep your plate clean so everything works as designed.

While I'm sure this issue would be pushed over to law enforcement if dusting up license plates became a big trend, I thought it was interesting enough to pass along.