Toll roads in the USA. The price of toll roads in the USA, how to pay for toll roads in the USA, toll roads in the USA. Rules of the road in the USA. How to get a driver’s license in the USA. What are the fines in the USA?

Toll roads in the USA

There are many toll roads in the United States; As of 2006, toll roads exist in 35 states, with most states without toll roads in the West and South. In 2015, there were 5,000 miles (8,000 km) of toll roads in the country.

Most toll plazas in the US today use an electronic toll collection system as an alternative to paying in cash.

Most toll plazas in the US today use an electronic toll collection system as an alternative to paying in cash. Examples of this are the E-ZPass system used on most toll bridges, toll tunnels, and toll roads in the eastern United States, south to Virginia, north to Maine, and west to Illinois; FasTrak in California; SunPass in Florida; K – Tag of Kansas; Pikepass in Oklahoma; Texas TxTag (and in Texas, EZ Tag in Houston and TollTag in Dallas); GeauxPass in Louisiana; as well as the Georgia Peach Pass and Cruise Map. Many toll roads have introduced open road tolls, which eliminates the need to stop at toll booths.

Toll roads, especially near the east coast, are often called highways; the term turnpike derives from spikes, which were long sticks that blocked traffic until the toll was paid and the spike returned to the toll booth (or toll booth in modern terminology).

In the mid-to-late nineteenth century, construction of private toll roads was particularly active in the West, including California and Nevada. More than 100 private toll roads were built in Nevada between 1850 and 1880, some nearly 200 miles (320 km) long. Owners included stage companies, miners, and ranchers who built the roads, at least in part, to attract business for their major investments.

Until 1956, most limited access highways in the eastern United States were tolled. In the same year, the federal Interstate Highway System was created, funding toll roads with 90% federal dollars and a 10% state share, giving states little incentive to expand their highway systems. Funding rules originally limited tolls on refinanced roads, bridges and tunnels. In some situations, expansion or reconstruction of a toll booth using Interstate funds has resulted in the elimination of existing tolls. This happened in Virginia on Interstate 64 near the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, when a second parallel road to the 1958 Regional Bridge-Tunnel was completed in 1976.

After the initial portion of the interstate highway system was completed, the rules were changed and portions of toll roads were added to the system. Some states are once again considering funding new road construction and maintenance in addition to limited federal funding. In some areas, new road projects were completed and later supported through toll-financed public-private partnerships, also known as build-operate-transfer systems. One such public-private partnership was the construction of Pocahontas Boulevard near Richmond, Virginia, which is an upscale urban high street across the James River Shipping Canal and connects Interstate 95 to Interstate 295. south of the city.

E-ZPass USA

E‑ZPass is an electronic toll system used on most toll roads, bridges, and tunnels in the Midwest and eastern United States, south to Florida and west to Minnesota. The E-ZPass Interagency Group (IAG) consists of member agencies in 19 states that use the same technology and allow travelers to use the same transponder on toll roads across the network.Since its inception in 1987, the E-ZPass system various independent systems using the same technology have been incorporated, including I-Pass in Illinois and NC Quick Pass in North Carolina. Nationwide interoperability is currently under negotiation in the United States (see List of electronic toll collection systems in the United States).

E‑ZPass tags are active RFID transponders manufactured exclusively by Kapsch TrafficCom (formerly Mark IV Industries Corp – a division of IVHS). They exchange data with a reader embedded in toll lanes or open roads by transmitting a unique radio signal. The most common type of tag is an interior tag that can be affixed to the inside of a vehicle’s windshield next to the rearview mirror. Although paid agencies advise adherence to windshields with mounting strips (typically 3M «s brand Scotch “Dual Lock” fasteners), third-party options using trays with suction cups to temporarily attach the pass to the windshield if it is used in multiple vehicles. Some cars have windshields that block radio signals;

Although the tag can be used with a motorcycle, there are usually no official installation instructions due to the many differences between bicycle designs and the small area of ​​the motorcycle windshield, which can be a hindrance if the transponder is attached according to automotive instructions. If necessary, transponders can be placed in a shirt or jacket pocket.

The E-ZPass transponder works by listening to a signal transmitted by a reader installed at the toll booth. This 915 MHz signal is transmitted at 500 kbps using the TDM (formerly IAG) protocol in 256-bit packets. Transponders use Type II active read/write technology. In April 2013, Kapsch (the purchasers of Mark IV Industries) made the protocol available to all interested parties without license fees for an unlimited period and granted the right to sublicense the protocol.

Most E-ZPass lanes have been converted to manual toll lanes and, for safety reasons, must have speed limits low enough (typically 5 to 15 mph (8 to 24 km/h)) that E-ZPass cars can merge safely . from cars stopped to pay cash tolls and, in some cases, to allow toll workers to safely cross E-ZPass lanes to reach cash kiosks. However, in some areas (typically newly constructed or upgraded facilities) there is no need to slow down as E‑ZPass users can use dedicated lanes (“Express E-ZPass” or “open road tolling”).” ), which are physically divided. from toll lanes. Examples include:

Other roads in the E-ZPass system have abandoned tolling entirely and switched to a fully electronic tolling system. As vehicles pass at normal speeds under toll stations, tolls are collected via an E-ZPass transponder or by billing the vehicle owner through automatic license plate recognition.

Penalties for traffic violations in the USA

• warning

If the violation is not very serious, a good-natured police officer happened to you, and you realize your puncture and tell the policeman “I won’t do it again”, then you can get rid of it only with a warning. However, a note about this will still be posted at the police base. The next violation after a warning is a ticket.

• Fine (ticket)

A ticket is a piece of paper with a written fine. For different violations, the fine can be different, but in general you can pay $30-400. Also, together with the ticket, you may be awarded points.

• Calculation of points

In the USA, there is a system of penalty points or swimmers. For each serious violation of the rules, the driver receives a certain number of points, when their number reaches 12, you can say goodbye to the license. Information about the points credited to you is stored in the police database for 7 years. If you have accumulated 11 points in the last year and a half, a DMV officer (Department of Motor Vehicles — an analogue of the traffic police) has the right to revoke your driver’s license for 31 days.

The number of points also affects the cost of the driving license and insurance in the future.

1. A driver’s license may become more expensive by $10-100. Without penalty points, it costs about $60-70 (it is issued for a period of 5 years).
2. Each point adds approximately $100-300 to the cost of insurance.
3. If you work in the transport industry, your employer will be aware of all your fines and points – for them it will also affect the cost of company transport insurance. If you are a frequent offender, it is more profitable to fire you.
4. If you have accumulated 15 positions during your driving experience, the insurance company can terminate the current contract and revise the pricing policy of relations with you. Insurance will cost $5000-8000.

All fines and catches in the event of your disagreement become valid only after a court decision. You have the right to appeal any violation.

What to do if stopped by the police in the USA

Police officers in the US do not stop for ID checks. If the policeman makes a stop, he saw a violation of the rules.

Just in case, we note that you will not be able to break away in the chase – when a police car develops a speed of more than 80 miles per hour, the camera and geolocation are automatically turned on, it will not be difficult to find you. And it is better not to try to fight back physically either – he informs the control room about his location and condition. Help will definitely come to him, and you will like a car park.

The police are not interested in issuing fines — it does not affect the policeman’s career or his salary.

In addition to the video recording of the violation, the police officer makes an audio recording of the conversation with the driver. In this way, any inappropriate behavior on both sides is recorded. If you have experienced rudeness, coercion or insults, you can request this record in court and be vindicated or ask for compensation. The same works for a police officer.

If you know that the rules have really been violated, it is better not to refuse – the chances of a warning are higher. If you deny the recorded violation, the officer will decide that you will not realize the guilt and it is better for you to pay the fine. If you really do not agree with the accusation and are sure that you are right, you can appeal the fine.

• Appealing the fine in the USA

All objection procedures take place in court. You will usually be notified of the court date after the violation has been recorded, if you disagree. The same policeman comes to the meeting, who is obliged to prove that the violation took place – for this, radar readings, recordings from cameras in the police car and a recording of the conversation with the driver are most often used.

If you succeed in winning the case, your ticket and points will be cancelled. If you lose, you will have to pay the fine soon.

• Payment of fines in the USA

You will definitely not have any problems with this, everything happens quickly and conveniently. All ticket payments are made through the state police department website. If you do not pay for a long time, the amount with the commission fee is debited from your accounts by court order.

Frequent types of violations in the USA

• Exceeding the permissible speed in the USA (speed limit)

A different ticket can be presented, but points for speeding are regulated. If you exceed the speed limit:

1. 1-10 mph  – get 3 points;
2. 11-20 mph  – 4;
3. 21-30 mph  – 6;
4. 31-40 mph  – 8;
5. Over 40mph  – 11.

To make it easier to compare with the usual system, 1 mile per hour = 1.6 kilometers per hour. That is, for exceeding 64 km/h or more, you are guaranteed to be deprived of your rights for a period of one and a half years.

• Driving through a red traffic light in the USA

Depending on the status of the road, the amount of the fine will vary, but it will definitely risk a ticket for $150-300 plus 2 or 3 points.

• Stop line traffic in the USA

Even if this line is in an empty parking lot – a fine of about $100 and 3 points for minus your image as a driver.

• Violation of parking rules in the USA

If you parked and you don’t have a receipt for paying for parking with the specified time on the torpedo, you will be left with a ticket in the amount of about $30-35. For parking in places designated only for customers of any establishment (private parking), the car can be evacuated – you will pay about $200.

It often happens that tickets are presented for parking that you paid for in the application – the inspector did not see the receipt and issued a fine. In this case, you can easily challenge the fine in court by providing information about the payment and comparing it with the time of the issued ticket.

In general, US roads are quite calm and safe. Maintaining a car is not a luxury here, but a vital necessity. American Butler can help with car rentals, car sharing services or buying a car in the US.

How to get a driver’s license in the USA as a foreigner

The USA can be called with confidence the most automobilized country in the world. State governments have created all the conditions for their citizens to have more than one car in the family. In America, the public transport network is not very developed, because here people mostly drive their own cars, regardless of the distance.

You don’t need to be a US citizen or a Green Card holder to get American rights. Every foreigner who came to the United States can easily obtain American rights from any of the states and freely travel the country, exploring its beauty or business trips.

Where to go to get a US driver’s license?

Tour operators do not provide licensing services in the US, so foreigners must contact local state agencies on their own. You should not worry and think that this process is complicated. In the USA, anyone can freely obtain a driver’s license with a minimum of documents.

In the USA, a specialized department – the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) – is responsible for issuing licenses. It is important to remember that in different states there are slight differences in the rules of the road (TDR), in the requirements when passing the exams and fines. The cost of applying for a test varies from state to state, so check with your state’s DMV directly for state-specific costs. For example, below is a link from the New York City Department of Motor Vehicles:

New York City Department of Motor Vehicles

Oral test for obtaining a US driver’s license

When you arrive at the DMV, the first thing you need to do is register. It is important to have:

• ID (passport, other document certifying your identity);
• foreigners must be provided with a Social Security Number.

If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), then you must receive a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you do not need an SSN. For example, if you are a student at an American university, you may receive a letter from the university confirming that you are a foreign student. With this letter, you need to contact the Social Security Administration, which in turn will issue you the necessary certificate.

In the building of the department, the applicant will be registered in the queue, the date of the exam will be set and a book on traffic rules (Driver’s manual) will be issued free of charge. It is necessary to come to the exam on the appointed day. Usually, it passes quite quickly, and the rules themselves are simple. They are designed to make life easier for drivers and pedestrians. The exam includes 20 multiple-choice test questions. To get a driver’s license, it is enough to answer 14 questions. The examiner checks the test immediately, so in a few minutes it will be clear whether a person has received a driver’s license or not.

If the test is passed, the applicant is referred to a specialist to have their vision checked. In some states, future drivers are given a lecture on drugs, alcohol and traffic safety rules. Then, within a week, a Learner Permit is sent by mail to drive a vehicle. Such a license is issued in order for a person to learn to drive, and it is not necessary to go to a driving school. The term of validity of such rights is up to 6 months, it all depends on the laws of the state. Such a document has some restrictions, for example, they may prohibit transporting passengers, driving at night or even driving without the accompaniment of a person who has full rights. All these nuances are prescribed in the law of each state and will definitely be reported.

In some states, when learning to drive, it is important not to forget to take a short theoretical course (5-hour pre-licensing course) at a driving school. After listening to all the lectures, the organization issues an MV-278 certificate to a person, it is valid for a year. When a person feels ready to take the driving test, they can sign up for the test. A certificate must be presented during registration.

Passing the test for obtaining a driver’s license in the United States

You can sign up for a driving test by phone or online. You need to review the proposed dates and times and select the appropriate one. Usually, the nearest free places can be found only after a month, and sometimes even later. During the waiting time, it is worth practicing well. On the appointed day, the applicant meets with the instructor, who shows him the route and the maneuvers to be performed. Throughout the exam, the instructor notes your mistakes. The driving test takes place in one’s own car. There is no special site for the exam, everything takes place on the roadway of the city streets. As a rule, narrow lanes with many houses and cars are chosen.

Two main maneuvers must be included in the exam program:

• U-turn on a narrow carriageway;
• parallel parking, you need to do it correctly, once and in just 3 minutes. The car must stop near the curb, but not touch it. When passing, it is forbidden to look in mirrors, you can look forward or backward.

The inspector makes a note of all the mistakes and, at the end of the exam, issues a ticket with penalty points. If the number of errors exceeds 25, then the exam is failed, it is necessary to book the date again and try again. If driving was successfully passed, then in 1-2 weeks, a person will receive a driver’s license, which allows you to drive without restrictions.

The driver’s license will be valid for the duration of your status in the US, ie. until your visa or green card expires.

Americans are friendly to foreigners, so you should not be afraid to take the exams for obtaining a driver’s license in the USA. A car trip across America will give you unforgettable memories and emotions!