With congestion pricing now in effect in New York City, officials announced Tuesday a crackdown on drivers who try to obscure their license plates, or use "ghost plates,"  to get out of paying the new toll.

If you're taking a taxi or Uber in the congestion pricing zone, the rules aren’t exactly the same as they are for drivers. FOX 5 NY’s Richard Giacovas breaks down what you should know before you call your next ride.

The toll, known as congestion pricing, is meant to reduce traffic gridlock in densely packed Manhattan while also raising money to help fix the city’s ailing public transit infrastructure. It formally took effect Sunday.

Driving into the heart of New York City just got more expensive thanks to a long-anticipated congestion pricing plan that went into effect this week.

New York City drivers who obscure or cover their license plates to skirt automated tolls and tickets are in for a rude awakening, the city transportation department warned on Tuesday.

Anticipating a rise in so-called "ghost vehicles" with the advent of congestion pricing, New York City officials are looking to give police more leeway to go after drivers who hide or obstruct their license plates.

One day after New York City completed its first full weekday of the new congestion pricing tolling program, police are cracking down on motorists trying to bypass the system. Assisting the MTA, the NYPD stopped several drivers who tried to cover up parts of their license plates to avoid being charged as they entered the congestion zone.

The NYPD is warning drivers not to fake or cover their license plates before entering the congestion pricing zone in Manhattan. The agency’s Transportation Bureau posted two photos to X on Tuesday of two license plates – both showing tape covering one letter.