Ever since the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority announced they would transition the state's toll roads over to PikePass and Plate Pay only, enough people have wondered how it actually works that we decided to do the science.

If you don't feel you travel the toll roads enough to warrant a PikePass, you just roll through the toll booths as if you did. The cameras will take a few photos, one of you driving and one of your license plate, and after it processes the OTA will mail you a bill.

This is what it looks like for one toll booth.

Dakota Woods
Dakota Woods
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The whole process seems straightforward and simple enough, but there should be a little attention paid to what happens if you decide to skip the payment.

Most Plate Pay bills will offer a few weeks lead time before payment is due. This is as normal as a water or electric bill, but the repercussions of bailing on a Plate Pay bill don't sweep around until it's time to renew your tag.

If you simply fall behind or miss the due date, it's a simple flat $5 fee. If your bill goes unpaid for sixty days, on day sixty-one you'll be mailed a notice of Toll Evasion Violation. On day ninety that violation turns into a $25 fine. If you allow this situation to linger, having not paid your toll bill after 120 days, the state sells your fines to a collections agency and will suspend the registration of your vehicle.

That means you won't be allowed to renew your tags until you pay your accrued toll bill.

You do not want to let a Plate Pay bill get 120 days overdue.

Of course, the easiest thing you can do is to stop into a tag agency and pick up a PikePass. They don't cost anything for the tag, and the money you give goes straight into your account. As you pass through turnpike points, the tolls will automatically be deducted from your account.

The toll price on a PikePass account is also cheaper. Much cheaper. Like nearly exactly half-price.

All the same, you could just travel Oklahoma's secondary highways to get where you're going, but it'll a little longer to get there.

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