Manhattan Congestion Charge Now in Place: Some Drivers Have Found a Way to Cheat the System

New York City has been charging for entering Manhattan since January 5. Residents are getting used to having to pay $9 to enter Midtown and Lower Manhattan (below 60th Street). But some have already figured out how to cheat the system, reports NYTimes.

Ghost cars

Manhattan congestion fees are not collected manually, but by cameras that read the license plate. Some drivers forge, alter, or hide their license plates to avoid the cameras. In doing so, they turn their cars into so-called ghost cars.

Drivers use camera-blocking screens and sprays, as well as stickers, tape and other items to hide or change their license plates. They scrape off the paint from the letters on their plates or use temporary paper tags with different letters.

On social media, drivers are sharing other ideas for how to illegally avoid the new fees. One TikTok user posted a video suggesting avoiding the cameras by driving through a certain parking garage with an entrance on 60th Street and an exit on 61st. On a Reddit thread, users suggested covering license plates with bird droppings and purchasing devices that hide or block license plates with the push of a button.

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Fighting Violators

This is not a new tactic. Drivers have hidden their license plates in the past to avoid paying tolls on bridges and tunnels. So officials have stepped up the fight against ghost cars. More than 20 such vehicles have been seized in the past three years.

In 2024, more than 7 of these were seized and removed from the roads. carsMichael Kemper, the MTA's chief security officer, said 700 people have been arrested in toll evasion raids this year.

In addition to toll evasion, police officials say ghost cars and other illegal vehicles are used to commit violent crimes, including shootings and robberies.