Can a car with ETC pass through the manual lane?
2 Answers
Vehicles equipped with ETC can choose to use the highway manual lane. Since the manual lane is not equipped with an ETC sensor, it is naturally possible to take a card and pay manually. There are two methods of obtaining the card in the manual lane: one is receiving the card from a professional staff member, and the other is the driver self-serving the card from the card dispenser. When passing through the toll station, it is essential to slow down and proceed in an orderly manner, avoiding any congestion caused by cutting in line. ETC stands for Electronic-Toll-Collection, which means electronic toll collection system. To apply for ETC, the vehicle owner must provide valid identification and the original and photocopies of the vehicle registration certificate. If the application is made by a non-owner, the agent's valid identification must also be provided. The photocopy of the vehicle registration certificate should include the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp. Additionally, a bank card for deducting highway toll fees is required. Applicants must be between 18 and 60 years old, and the vehicle must be registered under an individual's name. For companies or organizations, the business license (or industrial and commercial license) and official seal are necessary. How ETC works: The onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield communicates with the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station. Through computer networking technology, the system settles the payment with the bank in the background, allowing vehicles to pass through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping to pay the toll. Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by allowing vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping; Cost-saving: Reduces wear and tear and fuel consumption by minimizing the frequency of vehicle starts and stops, and users can enjoy toll discounts; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase traffic efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC more advanced, faster, and high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous.
As an experienced veteran driver, I know that vehicles equipped with ETC can fully use manual lanes. Having driven for decades, I've encountered many situations: for example, occasional ETC device failures where it doesn't recognize, or when manual lanes have shorter queues and I just go through. In such cases, you just need to stop and inform the toll collector to pay with cash or by scanning a QR code, which won't affect your passage. Remember, this design is to provide flexibility for car owners, avoiding delays in automatic lanes if issues arise. Regularly check your ETC card and device status, and using manual lanes is quite convenient if needed. In short, the rules are compatible, so feel free to use them.
