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New Pa. Driver And Vehicle Fees To Take Effect April 1

By Jan Carabeo

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- No one likes to pay more for anything, but come tomorrow, visit a PennDOT center and expect a bigger bill.

Seven new fee increases are taking effect April 1.

PennDOT says they'll fund projects in desperate need, like bridges, public transportation and most noticeably these days, the roads.

On clear days like today, you'll find up to 25 PennDOT crews patching potholes throughout the Philadelphia region.

They started early this year, in January, and have been trying to keep up ever since.

It seems like every driver has a horror story.

Morton Goren says, "I had my car, all four wheels aligned. Then I drove out and hit three potholes and that was the end of the alignment."

Funds raised by new driver and vehicle fees will go right back into the roads.

Eugene Blaum of PennDOT says, "The pavement damage that we have sustained on our state highway system here in the five county Philadelphia region is the worst in 20 to 30 years."

The state expects to raise $2.3 billion over five years through these increases and many are sizable.

The cost of a duplicate driver's license and an ID will increase from $13.50 to $27.50.

Certificates of title will jump from $22.50 to 50 bucks. And certified records will cost you $20.00 more.

PennDOT says many of these fees haven't increased since 1997.

"Seventeen years is a long time without an infusion of additional dollars."

Public opinion is split. Many Pennsylvania drivers understand, especially in light of this winter, but some still find the new fees hard swallow.

Lewanda Watty says, "I think it's a pain to pay more."

James O'Neill is more understanding, saying, "It was a rough winter, it'll be a rough spring and summer with all the construction but it's definitely needed."

PennDOT asks drivers to be patient with that added construction this summer too.

The increases won't end now, there are 24 other increases starting in July.

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