Can you cheat the 407?

[monomono]

This is a theoretical question of course...

I'm wondering if it's possible to cheat 407 charges by hiding the transponder on either entry or exit? Once or twice my transponder wasn't picked up on entry or exit (forgot which) and I was only charged for the distance from the nearest on ramp. In fact my journey was much longer.

So what I'm thinking is, before getting on the 407, cover the transponder with foil and put it under your seat. Then mount it again before you exit.

[jerryhung]

Won't their cameras pick your rear license plate up as well?
Unless you plan to do what some people do - cover up their rear plates or make it really dirty/unreadable

[blainehamilton]

So covering the transponder to avoid paying charges is cheaper than being pulled over for covering your licence plate or for evading the charges?

My guess is the fine would be $1000 or more. What is the toll on this hiway anyways? I'm not from ontario.

[bmwmini]

Covering your transponder will net you a hefty fine... isn't it $50 or something like that if they know you have a transponder on the way in but not out?

[Andro]

the only way to cheat 407 is to:

1.cover your plates b4 entering 407
2.uncover them after you entered(this is done not to get pulled over, however doesn't guarantee it 100%)
3.cover your plates again b4 exiting 407
4.uncover the plates after you have exited 407

p.s. im not suggesting to cheat 407, just the question was asked and i answered it.

[that_staples_guy]

My Dad took his rig onto the 407 without a transponder and within minutes OPP (or MTO, I forgot) was on his tail. Apparently if you drive a truck you must have a transponder.

In the same way, if they notice a car with unreadable plates they could just as easily send the fuzz onto ya.

[rfdrfd]

the only way to cheat 407 is to:

1.cover your plates b4 entering 407
2.uncover them after you entered(this is done not to get pulled over, however doesn't guarantee it 100%)
3.cover your plates again b4 exiting 407
4.uncover the plates after you have exited 407

p.s. im not suggesting to cheat 407, just the question was asked and i answered it.


Yup. This the only way I can think of too. You just have to build an automated cover slide system, so with a flip of a switch, your plate is covered, then flip the switch again, plate is not-covered again.

Or somehow tie a string to a cardboard cover and get someone in the back to fold down the 60/40 split and jerry-rig it to your trunk and outside to your plate?

haha

[Andro]

Yup. This the only way I can think of too. You just have to build an automated cover slide system, so with a flip of a switch, your plate is covered, then flip the switch again, plate is not-covered again.

Or somehow tie a string to a cardboard cover and get someone in the back to fold down the 60/40 split and jerry-rig it to your trunk and outside to your plate?

haha

yeah that would be pretty cool.........why haven't any shops(aftermarket ones) thought of this option to customize your car like that.....this is much better and practical then lambo doors or 360 spinning doors :D

[rfdrfd]

yeah that would be pretty cool.........why haven't any shops(aftermarket ones) thought of this option to customize your car like that.....this is much better and practical then lambo doors or 360 spinning doors :D

Good point, maybe its illegal so they don't do it? Oh wait, so are aftermarkets HIDs, side blue markers, extra loud mufflers, super lowered, ..... hehe..

I think it system of hiding the plate with a cover is pretty easy to do. A good DIY idea.

Wait, I bet a 407 staff is already looking at this thread RIGHT NOW haha

[Anessa]

They should develop the Bond car's exchangable plates with different provinces or states. Imagine flipping the switch to a Utah or California plate. 407 can't go after you there.

[rfdrfd]

My Dad took his rig onto the 407 without a transponder and within minutes OPP (or MTO, I forgot) was on his tail. Apparently if you drive a truck you must have a transponder.

In the same way, if they notice a car with unreadable plates they could just as easily send the fuzz onto ya.


Yup, it specifically states any trucks or trailers must have a transponder. But your dad was just unlucky that a cop was on 407. I mean seriously, 407 has had soooo little accidents compared to other highways, even though 407 ppl drive much faster than the 100km/hr limit.

Cops should spend more time in chasing after red-light runners. A few weeks ago, I saw a man got almost ran over because a stupid idiot ran a red.

[Andro]

Good point, maybe its illegal so they don't do it? Oh wait, so are aftermarkets HIDs, side blue markers, extra loud mufflers, super lowered, ..... hehe..

I think it system of hiding the plate with a cover is pretty easy to do. A good DIY idea.

Wait, I bet a 407 staff is already looking at this thread RIGHT NOW haha

i have thought about this long time ago though, when i watched taxi(the french version).......btw you forgot to add to the illegal thing used: hydralics(while on road), NOS(seen it in use too many times), led windshield washers.....the list is too long to list, but none of those would actually pay for themselves or serve any real purpose....however this item would pay for itself in matter of months.

[rfdrfd]

They should develop the Bond car's exchangable plates with different provinces or states. Imagine flipping the switch to a Utah or California plate. 407 can't go after you there.

Oh, like those triangular ads billboards. So there are 3 sides (3 different plates)

[Anessa]

Yeah but you'd be screwed if a cop stopped you and you don't have registration or licences for Utah or California. So there's more illegal stuff needed.

[aquariaguy]

My Dad took his rig onto the 407 without a transponder and within minutes OPP (or MTO, I forgot) was on his tail. Apparently if you drive a truck you must have a transponder.

In the same way, if they notice a car with unreadable plates they could just as easily send the fuzz onto ya.

Is 407 paying the government to: patrol the highway, plow the snow, and clear up any accidents that happen on it? Since it's private, the government should screw those guys badly and make them pay.

[DragonZealot]

Can you cheat the 407?
Yes, there are all kinds of ways to cheat the system. People have been doing this successfully.

For how long?
Not for long. Eventually they will find out and appropiate charges will be laid. They will also compile a list of all the unpaid trips and bill accordingly.

Is it worth it?
:lol:

[Sonbuster]

there is such a mechanism that flips your license plate, found it in a car mag. i'll post the link if i can find it again. there are sprays and shields that prevent camera (esp, redlight cameras) from picking up your license plate.

[Anessa]

Is 407 paying the government to: patrol the highway, plow the snow, and clear up any accidents that happen on it? Since it's private, the government should screw those guys badly and make them pay.

Successive governments have been screwed by the Spanish and for other 99 years? We made the biggest mistake ever selling off our highway...common sense my butt.

[Sonbuster]

Successive governments have been screwed by the Spanish and for other 99 years? We made the biggest mistake ever selling off our highway...common sense my butt.

what does this refer to? i'm confused :confused:

[stanchua]

there is such a mechanism that flips your license plate, found it in a car mag. i'll post the link if i can find it again. there are sprays and shields that prevent camera (esp, redlight cameras) from picking up your license.

i saw it on the taxi 2 movie, they flipped their number plate into an email 1, lol

[B0000rt]

If you drive an early '90s Pathfinder, rides on the 407 are free.

[B0000rt]

what does this refer to? i'm confused :confused:
A Spanish company owns the 407ETR.

[spawnr]

Is 407 paying the government to: patrol the highway, plow the snow, and clear up any accidents that happen on it? Since it's private, the government should screw those guys badly and make them pay.

Yes they do pay for all that and probably still make money.

[Anessa]

what does this refer to? i'm confused :confused:

We leased the 407 to ETR (a Spanish firm) and our government can't do anything about it because of the iron clad lease. The Tories thought they got a good deal but they got screwed in the end considering tolls increase every year. The Liberals wanted to renationalize it but they got screwed.

[shawn99]

http://www.407etr.com/news/fast_facts.asp


Myth:
"People from outside Ontario get a free ride on the 407 ETR."

Fact:

Not true. All users of 407 ETR are billed, including out-of-province and U.S. drivers. We have agreements with many provinces and U.S. states to ensure that bills are sent to everyone who uses the highway.


Myth:

"The government sold the highway at a loss."

Fact:

Not true. The government built the highway for about $1.6 billion and 407 ETR bought it in 1999 for $3.1 billion. In short, the Ontario government earned a profit of over $1.5 billion from the sale of the highway. With the money gained from the sale of 407 ETR, the Ontario government balanced its budget and increased spending on health care and education.

[Anessa]

Then why was the Tory Ontario government in a deficit? And why were wait times and education still being cut during the sale of the 407? And why was there a 5 billion dollar deficit when the Tories left power? Yes, they made money but they robbed Peter to pay Paul for short term gains.

[rfdrfd]

Well of course the Facts on ETR would not say Govern. sold 407 at a loss.

But the terms of the sale was bad for Ontario. eg. they can raise rates on teh 407 whenever they like and how much they liked. Remember that big rumble last time they increased the rates?

[joey3k]

Is 407 paying the government to: patrol the highway, plow the snow, and clear up any accidents that happen on it? Since it's private, the government should screw those guys badly and make them pay.


407 pays OPP to patrol highway...that's why you don't see many OPP on it! :)

[ratface]

Myth #1 should be a good indication of the misinformation is that 407 puts on their own website. They truly make no effort to collect from out of province drivers. So yes, they are legally liable for the charges, but since it is never collected, effectively those drivers get to use the highway for free. Ask anyone with out of province plates how much they have paid. I did it too when I moved to Ontario, until I got Ontario plates. Never heard a peep from 407 for the dozens of times I used the highway. Too much effort to collect from those drivers compared to increasing the tolls another few cents.

[MkmBandit]

isnt there a speed factor involved in avoiding the cameras? I dont drive 407, but i remember when it first opened people were saying it you do above 140km/h on the onramp/offramp, the cams dont pick up your plates?

[Sylvestre]

not that I advocate this in any way, but I have a trunk mounted bike rack, and occasionally I'll have my bikes on there. Usually the cameras cant read the plates.

Another "observation". If you are taking a very long trip, (say from 404 to hamilton), if you enter with a transponder, and exit without oneyou are charged the shortest trip (once on the transponder and once on the video toll system) since the exit reads the plates. Even with the video toll charge, it's still cheaper than the entire trip length costs.

[GTAdiscountStudent]

2 ways to cheat the system as i know it.

1) - buy a reflective licence plate cover (illegal but hard to tell) that prevent cameras from taking a picture of the licence plate. the plates look normal when you're just looking at it. http://www.photoblock.com/photoblock.html

2) - i've seen this one in the news (silverman helps). add some tape to your licence plate to letters that can easily be changed. ie, if your licence plate reads "747 JFJ", you can add a piece of tape to the "F" so that it reads "747 JEJ".

[Bullseye]

A while ago, there was a case in the news about someone with a pickup truck with a cap on it that was using the 407 daily. He had a fishing rod rigged up through the cap to the drivers compartment, and he lifted the plate every time he entered or exited the highway.

He got away with it for awhile, but the 407 investigates persistent abusers. The cameras took a picture of the truck every day entering and exiting, so they knew what the vehicle was and where it got on and off. They just notified the OPP, who sat near the entrance one day and nailed him when they saw the truck. They then found the fishing rod set up.

[NorthYorker]

http://www.407etr.com/news/fast_facts.aspOh sure, you gonna see "we got incredible deal because of our connection in Mike Harris's government and you slackers are to pay for it in next 99 years". Yeah, right.

[Fragle]

If you drive an early '90s Pathfinder, rides on the 407 are free.

One of my friends takes advantage of this every day, and there's nothing that can be done about it.

Mind you, what he pays in gas every month almost outweighs the free travel

[MkmBandit]

If you drive an early '90s Pathfinder, rides on the 407 are free.
why is that?

[akito925]

why is that?
the big spare tire that blocks the licence plate in the back. and you can't do noting about it.. lol.

[B0000rt]

One of my friends takes advantage of this every day, and there's nothing that can be done about it.

Mind you, what he pays in gas every month almost outweighs the free travel
I guess he should swap out the V6 for the I4 KA24DE engine :D

[Andro]

2 ways to cheat the system as i know it.

1) - buy a reflective licence plate cover (illegal but hard to tell) that prevent cameras from taking a picture of the licence plate. the plates look normal when you're just looking at it. http://www.photoblock.com/photoblock.html

2) - i've seen this one in the news (silverman helps). add some tape to your licence plate to letters that can easily be changed. ie, if your licence plate reads "747 JFJ", you can add a piece of tape to the "F" so that it reads "747 JEJ".

where can you buy these covers/sprays in t.o or area? with no shipping involved.

[AzNCrAzYcOoLeR]

I always thought the transpnder isnt needed during entrance, but need during exit?

[gilboman]

where can you buy these covers/sprays in t.o or area? with no shipping involved.

they dont work for 407 only work for redlight cameras and photo radar

[AK47]

isnt there a speed factor involved in avoiding the cameras? I dont drive 407, but i remember when it first opened people were saying it you do above 140km/h on the onramp/offramp, the cams dont pick up your plates?

This is a myth..i've tried it and I won't say how fast I was going

[JAGpilot]

Don't risk it. If you can afford all the stupid mufflers and body kits you can afford to pay for the 407. Its not THAT expensive considering the convience you get.


2) - i've seen this one in the news (silverman helps). add some tape to your licence plate to letters that can easily be changed. ie, if your licence plate reads "747 JFJ", you can add a piece of tape to the "F" so that it reads "747 JEJ".

And then Mr. 747 JEJ would get the bill, but of course you don't give a **** because it's all about yourself eh? :evil:

[P90Puma]

Don't risk it. If you can afford all the stupid mufflers and body kits you can afford to pay for the 407. Its not THAT expensive considering the convience you get.



And then Mr. 747 JEJ would get the bill, but of course you don't give a **** because it's all about yourself eh? :evil:

Its the most expensive toll route in the world.

[JAGpilot]

Its the most expensive toll route in the world.

No, it's actually not. Look on google.

[DragonZealot]

Its the most expensive toll route in the world.

I think toll roads in Japan are more expensive. Anyon from Japan to confirm this?

[ES_Revenge]

What kind of thread is this anyway? How to cheat the 407? Asking it "hypothetically" or not, is seems a little out of place on the RFD. Sure we're looking for deals here but [most of us are] not trying to do it illegally. :rolleyes:

Anyway I use the 407 nearly everyday for travelling to different sites with work vehicles.

I have strangely seen cops sitting at the exit ramps of various 407 exits on several occasions. Right at the overhead railing that catches your plates/reads the transponder. I'm unsure why exactly they sit there, but I'm pretty sure it's to catch people who have their license plate obscured.

I'm unsure if they are there looking for specific perpatrators (as was seemingly the case with the guy whose father was tracked down after getting on the 407 without a transponder with a truck/trailer or whatever) but they are certainly there at times.

As someone else mentioned, sure there are probably ways to cheat the system but if you do it all the time you're going to get caught... I.e. if you drive a red Honda Civic with covered plates, always getting on at a certain exit and always getting off at another, guess who is going to be waiting for you at that entrance or exit, after a few days of that? LOL.

[Andro]

What kind of thread is this anyway? How to cheat the 407? Asking it "hypothetically" or not, is seems a little out of place on the RFD. Sure we're looking for deals here but [most of us are] not trying to do it illegally. :rolleyes:

Anyway I use the 407 nearly everyday for travelling to different sites with work vehicles.

I have strangely seen cops sitting at the exit ramps of various 407 exits on several occasions. Right at the overhead railing that catches your plates/reads the transponder. I'm unsure why exactly they sit there, but I'm pretty sure it's to catch people who have their license plate obscured.

I'm unsure if they are there looking for specific perpatrators (as was seemingly the case with the guy whose father was tracked down after getting on the 407 without a transponder with a truck/trailer or whatever) but they are certainly there at times.

As someone else mentioned, sure there are probably ways to cheat the system but if you do it all the time you're going to get caught... I.e. if you drive a red Honda Civic with covered plates, always getting on at a certain exit and always getting off at another, guess who is going to be waiting for you at that entrance or exit, after a few days of that? LOL.

yeah but if you get one of those flip down fake plates like in Taxi movie, if there is such a thing, then they wouldn't bother to run your plates......since you are driving at speeds of 80km/h+ on ramp and they are standing.

[ES_Revenge]

yeah but if you get one of those flip down fake plates like in Taxi movie, if there is such a thing, then they wouldn't bother to run your plates......since you are driving at speeds of 80km/h+ on ramp and they are standing.

Wait you think the cops won't chase you just because they are at zero km/h and you are doing 80km/h on an on or off ramp? LOL. LMAO. That's the funniest thing I ever heard. Tell that to all the people that have gotten speeding tickets at that speed with the police officer getting them from a standstill position.

Plus if you are on an off ramp that is maybe 100m long with a traffic light at the end? LOL. It doesn't take much for them to catch you. And if your license plate is apparently not there, you can bet they are going to chase you 407 or not...

[ES_Revenge]

they dont work for 407 only work for redlight cameras and photo radar
Really eh? I didn't know that... Ahh the difference money makes eh? The redlight/photo radar cameras probably can't catch the plate with those covers because they aren't as advanced and are relatively cheaper. 407 stuff is pretty advanced then I guess.

It's amazing how making money (the main purpose of the 407 really, let's be honest) takes precedent to safety (redlight cameras). Good ol' Ontario. :rolleyes: (I know the 407 is privately owned now, but Ontario government originally constructed it.)

[Andro]

Wait you think the cops won't chase you just because they are at zero km/h and you are doing 80km/h on an on or off ramp? LOL. LMAO. That's the funniest thing I ever heard. Tell that to all the people that have gotten speeding tickets at that speed with the police officer getting them from a standstill position.

Plus if you are on an off ramp that is maybe 100m long with a traffic light at the end? LOL. It doesn't take much for them to catch you. And if your license plate is apparently not there, you can bet they are going to chase you 407 or not...

no, what i mean is that they will c that your plate is not covered so rarely would they follow random car just to check plates......

[Ben31]

Ofcourse you can cheat the 407, not only that but most, if not, all cameras....just use the Photoblocker (http://www.photoblockercanada.com/)..don't worry it ain't illegal... :D


Anti-flash license plate SPRAY &Anti-PhotoRadar products proven to make your license plate unreadable to red-light and photo radar cameras

..google video of photoblocker (http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-4386809784538951327)

[ES_Revenge]

no, what i mean is that they will c that your plate is not covered so rarely would they follow random car just to check plates......
Oh okay, I get it. But still if your car matches the description of a car they are "looking for" (if they do look for specific people which isn't unreasonable), I'm sure they will pull you over and investigate...

[ES_Revenge]

Ofcourse you can cheat the 407, not only that but most, if not, all cameras....just use the Photoblocker (http://www.photoblockercanada.com/)..don't worry it ain't illegal... :D [/URL]

Yeah "don't worry it ain't illegal" :rolleyes:

RSO, 1990 c. H.8 (Highway Traffic Act of Ontario):



Obstruction prohibited

(3) The number plates shall not be obstructed by any device that prevents the entire number plates including the numbers from being accurately photographed using a photo-radar system. 1993, c. 31, s. 2 (5).

Same

(3.0.1) The number plates shall not be obstructed by any device that prevents the entire number plates including the numbers from being accurately photographed using a red light camera system. 1998, c. 38, s. 2 (1).

Same

(3.1) The number plates shall not be obstructed by any device or material that prevents the entire number plates including the numbers from being identified by an electronic toll system. 1996, c. 1, Sched. E, s. 2 (1).

Offence

(4) Every person who contravenes subsection (2), (3), (3.0.1) or (3.1) is guilty of an offence. 1993, c. 31, s. 2 (5); 1996, c. 1, Sched. E, s. 2 (2); 1998, c. 38, s. 2 (2).
Emphasis Added.

Yep, "don't worry" :rolleyes:

[Mems]

I have a mechanism like the guy in The Transporter. Revolving license plates. :)

-Mems

[Sylvestre]

I recently saw a thing on one of the local (TO) news stations about those "reflective paints". long story short, they worked less than 50% of the time. The only way it really worked was when there was a flash or direct light shining on the plate, and the camera was at a certain angle. Otherwise, pics came through clearly.

[Desalex]

I seem to recall reading a story by Jim Kenzie of the Star that the only legal way of perhaps avoiding charges on the 407 is to drive a 1988 Nissan Pathfinder (first generation). Apparently their license plates are recessed in the bumper in such a way so as to block the license plate from being read.
Alternatively, you can climb the camera structure on your favourite onramp, take a picture of the onramp from each camera's vantage point, develop the photos, and mount it in front of each camera so it appears like the onramp is empty (kinda like what they do in spy movies with surveillance cameras)....
However, I don't condone such actions....

[Fragle]

This is a myth..i've tried it and I won't say how fast I was going

Not only does speed not matter, I've tried going through the turn leaning heavy on my motorcycle, figuring the camera wouldn't recognise the tilted license plate.

I had also heard that driving outside the white road margin would be outside the camera's range. Not so anymore.

The result? Not only was I charged but was dinged extra for the 'video toll' fee.

[Anessa]

Alternatively, you can climb the camera structure on your favourite onramp, take a picture of the onramp from each camera's vantage point, develop the photos, and mount it in front of each camera so it appears like the onramp is empty (kinda like what they do in spy movies with surveillance cameras)....
However, I don't condone such actions....

Now that's a RFD extreme way to save money

[frogger]

Friend has a Harley (Road King) and the plate is not caught by the 407 cameras.

[Ben31]

Yeah "don't worry it ain't illegal" :rolleyes:

RSO, 1990 c. H.8 (Highway Traffic Act of Ontario):


Emphasis Added.

Yep, "don't worry" :rolleyes:

:lol: ..I spray it all over the car....they will never see me..... :lol:

[ReFuGeE]

http://www.pic-nix.com

Looks like this is the product you'd need to cheat the 407, its angle oriented as opposed to flash.

[rfdrfd]

http://www.pic-nix.com

Looks like this is the product you'd need to cheat the 407, its angle oriented as opposed to flash.


CFTO news did a test on these things once. Also the Spray as well. THese only worked on certain angles (depends on your speed, and angle of the car as it is being photographed). They concluded they are highly unreliable.

[gilboman]

Yeah "don't worry it ain't illegal" :rolleyes:

RSO, 1990 c. H.8 (Highway Traffic Act of Ontario):


Emphasis Added.

Yep, "don't worry" :rolleyes:

if you notice under photo radar and redlight camera ..its says device ... spraying your plate doesnt constitute a device. ;)

[cal653]

I feel sorry for the fools that actually believe in this garbage. If you aren't using Ontario plates, it's basically free.


http://www.407etr.com/news/fast_facts.asp

Quote:
Myth:
"People from outside Ontario get a free ride on the 407 ETR."

Fact:

Not true. All users of 407 ETR are billed, including out-of-province and U.S. drivers. We have agreements with many provinces and U.S. states to ensure that bills are sent to everyone who uses the highway.

[module]

your asking to break the law, just take the free highway.

[Narci]

Wasn't there a Liquid Crystal license plate cover where you add some electricity and it would cover up the plate?

Like this...

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/63b29c4b-19ee-4d94-b002-980a00ee0a41.htm