Oklahoma’s Turnpike Toll Systems Biggest Weakness

Oklahoma's turnpikes have changed a lot over the years.

There was a time when you'd slow down, dig around the cupholder for change, hand a few coins to the toll booth attendant, and be on your way. Then came Pikepass, which made the whole process almost effortless.

Now, if you don't have a Pikepass, chances are you'll never even stop.

A camera snaps a picture of your license plate, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority matches it to the registered owner, and a bill eventually shows up in the mail.

At least... that's how it works when everything goes according to plan.

As more states have switched to cashless tolling, they've also run into a problem that isn't unique to Oklahoma. Cameras don't always get a clean read.

There are a ton of common tag issues that could keep OTA from reading your plate with their new automated system.

Been cruising down dirt roads? That dust is enough to give you free tolls. That bike rack you've loaded up to go have a great weekend on the trails? Free tolls. Absolutely anything that can skew your license plate means free tolls.

Not to waste an opportunity to make money on something that's just too good, there is a wildly innovative industry out there dedicated to making tech that obscures license plates, and the popularity doesn't begin and end with Oklahoma. It's nationwide as plate pay becomes the standard.

All across the country, new laws are taking effect to fill this giant hole in technology.

In most states, it's now illegal to have anything covering your license plate. Even a clear cover. It's specifically aimed at lost revenues on turnpikes. Oklahoma is no different with our umbrella law.

Oklahoma law requires plates to remain clearly visible, and intentionally covering them will land you a big fat ticket... So no "covering the plate."

Did you know there's a company that makes a funny little gadget that sticks a magnetic leaf to your license plate? In the event you do get pulled over, you click a little remote button, and it falls off.

Of course, I may or may not know a few country boys who spray their plates with WD-40 and throw a handful of dirt on their tags before hitting the highway. Even if they're just swinging through Lawton, where there are no tolls, they don't want to be on the national Flock Camera system that is so prevalent now.

Oil and Dirt

"Sorry, officer, I live on a dirt road. Let me wipe that off really quick."

It's a perfect parallel to the full might of the British military being beaten down by the American militia. The most modern tech of the day was overcome by farmers with pitchforks.

For all the money that's been invested in modern tolling, it's funny that's all it takes to render it all useless.

My editor was specific in stating a disclaimer here, so here goes... While the irony here is hilarious, if you set out to intentionally hide your plate, you'll have to willingly accept the potential punishment without crying foul. You're an adult. You do you.