The E-ZPass express lanes are a great way to zip through congested Twin Cities traffic, but to use those lanes during peak traffic times, drivers need a valid E-ZPass transponder, or need to carpool.
Data from MnDOT shows that between October and December of 2025, 46% of drivers used the lanes illegally across the Twin Cities.
On I-35W, the violation numbers are even higher. According to MnDOT, the violation rate heading into downtown at Lake Street during evening rush was 64.9%…