New Jersey Turnpike Authority Testing E-Z Pass Stickers to Replace Transponders

Sticker tags don't need a battery, which could save the Authority millions of dollars.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority is considering moving away from E-ZPass transponders and replacing them with stickers. Vehicles with the Turnpike Authority will test the stickers first in a pilot program, and if successful, they will make these sticker tags available to New Jersey drivers. The sticker tags don't require a battery, which could save the Authority millions of dollars annually in transponder replacement costs.

Why it matters

The switch to sticker tags could significantly reduce operating costs for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, as transponders need to be replaced every 10 years or so when the battery dies. This change could allow the Authority to redirect those savings to other infrastructure improvements or maintenance.

The details

The Turnpike Authority spent nearly $8 million in 2022 to replace nearly a million transponders with worn-out batteries. Sticker tags do not require a battery, which could lead to major cost savings for the Authority going forward.

  • The Turnpike Authority will first test the sticker tags in a pilot program.
  • If the pilot is successful, the sticker tags will be made available to all New Jersey drivers.

The players

New Jersey Turnpike Authority

The government agency responsible for operating the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway.

Kris Kolluri

Executive Director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The transponders have to be changed out every 10 years or so, the battery goes out and if you happen to drive something you have to call the E-ZPass office, try to get it resolved.”

— Kris Kolluri, Executive Director, New Jersey Turnpike Authority (6abc.com)

What’s next

If the pilot program is successful, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority will roll out the sticker tags to all drivers in the state.

The takeaway

The switch to battery-free sticker tags could lead to significant cost savings for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, allowing them to redirect those funds towards other infrastructure improvements and maintenance projects.