Can a non-owner apply for ETC for a vehicle?

[LeAubree]

Non-owners can also apply for ETC. According to the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application Service of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) on Highways" issued by the Ministry of Transport, the original valid ID card of the vehicle owner, the original and a copy of the vehicle registration certificate (the page with the latest annual inspection stamp) are required. If applying on behalf of someone else, the original and a copy of the proxy's valid ID card are also needed. If applying for ETC through major bank branches, a debit card or credit card from the corresponding bank is also required. Some banks only support ETC binding with credit cards, while others may require freezing a portion of the amount as a deposit when binding ETC with a debit card. ETC Deduction Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through microwave short-range communication between the on-board electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with the bank, the purpose of paying tolls without stopping at the toll station is achieved. All of this is based on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Save time: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line. Green and eco-friendly: Low-carbon, vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution. Reduce wear and tear: Saves costs, reduces the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, and lowers wear and fuel consumption. Improve efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC updates faster and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council clearly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, the interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will be significantly increased." It also set a target in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators: "By 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles will reach 50%." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and the ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC usage for trucks in the future. There will also be exploration of deep integration between the ETC system and smart transportation development directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-road coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC usage. ETC Usage Notes: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. When encountering a vehicle in front that has stopped, to prevent the ETC device of the vehicle in front from malfunctioning or not having an ETC device at all, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters to avoid automatic sensing and paying for the vehicle in front. The recognition speed for ETC lanes is 20 km/h. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle device information cannot be read, leading to deduction failure. Unauthorized disassembly or movement of the OBU device, or detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag, will cause the electronic tag to fail. It can be sent to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service office for testing. If the loosening or detachment is not due to human factors, it only needs to be reactivated. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance will also cause deduction failure. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pass by cash or card. Excessive thickness of the car windshield may cause poor sensing. Special attention is needed for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or for those who have modified their front windshields.

[OAngelo]

I saw someone asking this, and I think it's quite common. In theory, you can apply for an ETC for a car that's not under your name, but you need the owner's authorization. I've seen friends handle it on behalf of others—the owner needs to provide a letter of authorization or accompany the applicant to the service point in person, bringing the vehicle registration certificate and copies of both parties' ID cards. You can handle it at a bank or an ETC service outlet, and the process isn't as complicated as you might think. The key is to ensure the owner is aware and consents; otherwise, if there are unpaid fees or issues, the responsibility might fall on the owner. ETC itself is quite convenient—for example, you don’t have to queue at highway toll stations, saving time and money—but it's still safer to apply under your own name. If you only occasionally drive a friend's car, I’d recommend using a temporary solution instead of rushing to apply for a fixed ETC. In short, it's fine to do it legally and properly, but don’t skip this step out of laziness.

[LaRuby]

I have experience with this situation. Even though the car isn't registered under your name, you can still apply for ETC, but you need to follow the proper procedures. The vehicle owner must either appear in person or sign a power of attorney, and all required documents must be prepared, such as a copy of the owner's ID card and the vehicle registration certificate. After completing the formalities, remember to go to the ETC device installation point for proper setup and debugging. The issue is that if you handle it casually on your own and problems arise—like the ETC card being fraudulently used—the owner might end up being held responsible, which could damage trust. That's why I generally don't recommend it unless absolutely necessary. If you really want to proceed, choose official channels like bank apps, as some online services can simplify the process. ETC is a great tool for automatic toll collection and efficiency, but safety comes first. Always communicate openly with the car owner to avoid misunderstandings when driving.

[VonRemington]

It is indeed feasible to apply for an ETC for a vehicle not under your name. The basic requirements are the owner's authorization and bringing the necessary documents to an ETC service point or a cooperating bank. The entire process takes about 20 minutes to complete. Once the ETC is installed, driving on the highway becomes very smooth, saving a lot of time. However, if the owner is unaware, there may be legal risks. It is recommended not to take the risk and to follow the proper procedures. This is not a big problem.