Nearly everyday I see a new car or truck pulled over by CHP on the toll roads. Some may wonder why, did they do something wrong? Most likely, no. They’re pulled over because they have paper plates.

The first question the officer will ask is why you have no plates. Because its a new car apparently isn’t the answer. Next he’ll write you up for Toll evasion. Did you bring your transponder? If not, you get 23302.5(a) Vehicular crossing or toll highway: evading toll charge. Not a cheap ticket. If you did, was it displayed? Because thats the next thing he’ll write you up for. No Transponder Displayed. 23302(b) Failure to display transponder at specified vehicular crossing or toll highway. Also not a cheap fine.

If you have your transponder, fight the ticket. Don’t assume you have to waste hours in a court room losing money from missing work etc. Use a Trial By Declaration, pay the bail and write your defense down on paper. Sure you’ll have to front the bail, but thats cheaper than missing a days worth or income and paying bail right?

If you brought your transponder, it was most likely charged. Attach the statement to the TBD (Trial by Declaration) and show that you lawfully paid the toll. When you win, you’ll be out $10 for the processing fee, but thats less than nearly $200 in fines when all you were trying to do was get to work in the first place.

Here is the path to the California Trial by Declaration form:

http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/forms/fillable/tr205.pdf

Fill it out and send it in before the court date and then wait to get your winning results and your money back.

And if your driving the toll roads without plates, make sure you have that transponder with you, or you go through the paid gates. If you don’t, you’ll be experiencing the joy that so many of us have gone through.