New York troopers seized 214 vehicles and issued 1,100 citations during Thruway toll enforcement operations

New York State Police (NYSP) took part in multiple enforcement operations to target toll evaders and enforce commercial vehicle safety rules along the New York State Thruway so far this year.

On July 29, New York Governor Kathy Hochul released results from four New York State Thruway toll enforcement operations that took place in the first half of 2026.

The toll enforcement operations were led by New York State Police Troop T, with participation from the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit (CVEU), in partnership with the New York State Thruway Authority. The purpose of the enforcement operations was to crack down on the use of missing, altered, or obscured license plates (also known as ghost plates) used to avoid tolls.

The enforcement operations took place on March 17 on the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (GMMCB), May 5 on the GMMCB, May 5 on I-190 in Buffalo, and June 11 on I-87 in Albany.

NYSP seized a total of 214 vehicles and issued more than 1,100 tickets during four Thruway enforcement details.

Troopers focused on vehicle registrations that had been suspended due to unpaid tolls or lack of insurance, which resulted in the vehicle being towed. Citations were also issued for fraudulent and obstructed license plates, speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, cell phone use, driving with an expired driver’s license or expired registration, and other violations. 

Additionally, NYSP Troop T CVEU “participated to enforce safety standards and regulations for trucks, buses and other commercial vehicles.”

“These enforcement operations are about protecting public safety, holding toll evaders responsible and safeguarding the toll dollars that drivers rightly contribute to maintain our transportation network,” Hochul said. “We will continue working with the Thruway Authority and the New York State Police to put the brakes on ghost plates.”