What congestion pricing is and how much you'll pay

New York City's congestion pricing charges drivers a fee to enter Manhattan below 60th Street during peak hours. The toll is $15 for most passenger vehicles during weekday daytime hours (5 a.m. to 9 p.m.), $15 on weekday evenings (9 p.m. to 5 a.m.), and $15 on weekends. Taxis and for-hire vehicles like Uber and Lyft pay $2.75 per trip. Motorcycles and mopeds pay $7.50. Trucks and buses pay between $24 and $36 depending on size.

The system launched in January 2024 after years of planning. You pay once per day regardless of how many times you cross the boundary — the charge applies the first time you enter the zone, and you won't be charged again until the next day. The toll is collected electronically; there are no toll booths or stops. Cameras read your license plate, and the bill arrives by mail or email depending on how you register.

Key Takeaways

  • Passenger vehicles pay $15 per day to drive in central Manhattan below 60th Street, charged once per entry regardless of how many trips you make that day.
  • You must register your vehicle with the congestion pricing system before driving in the zone, or you'll receive a violation notice.
  • Residents of the congestion zone get a 50 percent discount, and low-income drivers may may have access to for a 100 percent discount depending on their vehicle registration address.
  • The toll is collected by license plate cameras, not toll booths, so you don't stop to pay — the bill arrives by mail or email later.
  • Exemptions exist for emergency vehicles, people with disabilities displaying a valid placard, and certain commercial vehicles, though rules vary by vehicle type.

How to register your vehicle and pay the toll

Registration happens through the official New York congestion pricing website (congestionpricing.ny.gov). You'll need your vehicle's license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and the state where it's registered. The registration itself is free — you're only paying the daily toll when you actually drive in the zone.

After you register, you choose a payment method: a prepaid account you fund in advance, or pay-per-use where you're billed after each entry. Most drivers choose pay-per-use because it's simpler — you drive, the camera reads your plate, and the bill arrives in the mail or by email within a few days. If you prepay, you can set up automatic refills so your account never runs empty.

If you drive in the zone without registering first, you'll receive a violation notice in the mail. The penalty is $0 if you register within a set grace period after your first unregistered entry, but waiting longer results in fines. Register as soon as you know you'll be driving in Manhattan regularly.

Discounts for residents and low-income drivers

If your vehicle is registered to an address inside the congestion zone (below 60th Street in Manhattan), you get a 50 percent discount on the daily toll. That means $7.50 per day instead of $15 for a passenger vehicle. You still register through the same website, but you'll need to provide proof of residency — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement showing your name and address.

Low-income drivers may may have access to for a 100 percent discount, meaning no toll at all. The rules depend on your household income and your vehicle's registration address. Generally, if your household income is below 250 percent of the federal poverty line and your vehicle is registered to an address in New York State, you may be exempt. You'll need to provide income documentation when you register — recent tax returns, pay stubs, or a letter from a benefits program like SNAP or Medicaid.

The income threshold and documentation requirements change, so check the official website for current rules before you register. If you're unsure whether you may have access to, the website has a tool that walks you through the requirements.

Who is exempt from the toll

Emergency vehicles — police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances — don't pay the toll. Drivers with a valid disability placard or license plate are exempt, though you still need to register your vehicle to avoid violation notices. Certain commercial vehicles used for specific purposes, like vehicles operated by the Department of Sanitation or licensed tow trucks responding to emergencies, are also exempt.

School buses and public transit buses don't pay. If you're driving a vehicle registered to a nonprofit organization that provides services to people with disabilities, you may may have access to for an exemption, but you'll need to explore separately and provide documentation of your nonprofit status.

Exemptions don't mean you avoid registration — you still register your vehicle and indicate your exemption status. Without registration, you'll receive violation notices even if you're exempt. The registration process is the same; you just won't be charged when you drive in the zone.

What happens if you don't pay or register

If you drive in the congestion zone without registering, the camera records your license plate and you'll receive a violation notice in the mail. The notice includes the toll amount ($15 for most vehicles) plus a penalty. If you register within the grace period shown on the notice, the penalty is waived and you only owe the original toll. If you don't register within that window, the penalty increases.

If you receive a violation and disagree with it — for example, you believe your vehicle should be exempt — you can contest it through the mail or online. The notice includes instructions for filing a dispute. You'll need to provide evidence, like a disability placard photo or proof of residency for a discount.

Unpaid tolls and penalties can affect your vehicle registration renewal. New York won't renew your registration until the debt is cleared. If you're having trouble paying, contact the congestion pricing office to discuss payment plans or to verify whether you may have access to for a discount or exemption.

How the money is used

Revenue from congestion pricing goes to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which operates New York City's subway, bus, and commuter rail systems. The MTA uses the money for capital improvements — repairs, upgrades, and expansion of transit infrastructure. The program was designed to reduce traffic while funding public transportation, so the goal is that fewer cars in Manhattan means faster buses and more reliable service for people who use transit.

The MTA publishes annual reports on how congestion pricing revenue is spent. You can find these on the MTA's website if you want to see where your tolls are going.

Alternatives to driving in the congestion zone

The subway, buses, and commuter rail all serve Manhattan and avoid the toll entirely. The subway is fastest for most trips within the city. If you're coming from outside the city, the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and New Jersey Transit all have stations in Manhattan. A monthly transit pass costs less than paying the congestion toll for a few days of driving.

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft operate in the zone and pay the toll themselves — it's built into your fare. Taxis also pay the toll, which is reflected in the meter. Biking and walking are free and avoid the toll entirely if your destination is reachable that way.

If you only occasionally drive in Manhattan, using transit or rideshare for those trips may be cheaper than registering your vehicle and paying daily tolls. Calculate your typical costs before deciding whether to drive regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay the toll every time I cross into the zone, or just once per day?

You pay once per day. The first time your license plate is read entering the zone, you're charged $15 (or your applicable rate). You won't be charged again until the next calendar day, even if you leave and re-enter multiple times. The toll resets at midnight.

What if I live just outside the zone but work inside it?

You'll pay the full $15 toll each workday unless you may have access to for a discount. If you live in New York State but outside the zone, you don't may have access to for the resident discount. However, if your household income is low enough, you may may have access to for the low-income exemption. Check the income thresholds on the official website.

Can I dispute a toll if I think I was charged by mistake?

Yes. If you receive a violation notice or a toll charge you believe is incorrect, you can contest it through the congestion pricing website or by mail. Include evidence — for example, proof that your vehicle was broken down that day, or documentation of an exemption you should have received. The office will review your dispute and respond within a set timeframe.

Do rental cars have to pay the congestion toll?

Yes. Rental car companies typically register their vehicles and pass the toll cost to the renter. When you rent a car in New York, ask the rental company whether the congestion toll is included in your daily rate or charged separately. Some companies include it; others bill it to your credit card after you return the car.

What if I'm visiting New York and don't have a New York license plate?

You still need to register your vehicle before driving in the zone, even if it's registered in another state. Registration is free and takes a few minutes on the website. You'll be charged the $15 toll per day. If you're only visiting for a day or two, calculate whether paying the toll is cheaper than using transit or rideshare for your trips.