Can an ETC from another vehicle be used?
3 Answers
An ETC cannot be used if the vehicle information it is bound to does not match. Different vehicle models have different highway toll fees. According to the "Rules for the Use of the Non-Stop Fast Pass System," when applying for an ETC, the ETC card and OBU device are already bound to the vehicle, and the relevant vehicle information is imported, forming a one-to-one correspondence. If you switch to a new vehicle with a new license plate, you need to cancel the original ETC and reapply for the new vehicle. If it's a new vehicle with the old license plate, you can simply update the vehicle information at an offline service center. ETC is an electronic toll collection system that allows vehicles equipped with ETC devices to pass through dedicated ETC lanes without stopping. The electronic toll collection system is an automated toll system for highways or bridges. ETC billing principle: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, combined with computer networking technology for backend bank settlement, vehicles can pass through toll stations without stopping to pay tolls. All of this operates on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by avoiding idling at toll stations; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent starts and stops, lowering vehicle wear and fuel consumption; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase traffic flow by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, more advanced, and high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council explicitly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, key city clusters should achieve interoperability of transportation cards, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC should significantly increase." The plan also set a target of "50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, future efforts will promote ETC adoption for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, and other smart transportation developments. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC. ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. If the vehicle ahead is stationary, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters to prevent accidental toll payment for the wrong vehicle due to faulty or missing ETC devices. The recognition speed for ETC lanes is 20 km/h. Driving too fast may result in failure to read vehicle device information and billing failure. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or if the ETC electronic tag becomes loose or detached, may render the tag invalid. It can be taken to the bank where the ETC card was issued or a highway service center for inspection. If the issue is not due to human interference, reactivation may suffice. When using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may cause billing failure. Follow on-site staff guidance to use manual MTC lanes with cash or card payment. Thick or modified windshields, especially those replaced after accidents, may cause poor signal reception.
Having driven for over 20 years, my experience tells me you should never use someone else's ETC device. Each ETC unit is directly linked to a specific license plate. When toll station cameras scan your plate and cross-check it with the device ID, if they don't match, you won't get through. Last time, my buddy impulsively tried using his wife's ETC at the highway entrance - the barrier wouldn't open, alarms went off, and a line of angry drivers piled up behind him. Staff had to intervene and explain, forcing him to pay cash plus late fees - a total loss. If the system flags suspicious activity, it could affect your credit or escalate to traffic police. Getting your own ETC is super convenient - just apply at any bank with your plate registration for fast, worry-free toll passage. Remember: play it safe, because responsible driving starts with following the rules.
As a tech enthusiast, let me explain: The core of the ETC system is the binding between license plates and devices, with each device having a unique serial number corresponding to your license plate's database information. Toll stations use RFID and cameras for dual verification of license plate matching. Any inconsistency detected will immediately deny gate opening, may trigger alarms, and record anomalies in the backend. Having studied such technical documents, I can confirm that misusing someone else's ETC is not only ineffective but may also cause automatic payment failures, potentially locking the account or incurring erroneous charges. Prolonged misuse could result in the vehicle being flagged in the system's watchlist, complicating commutes. I recommend registering for your own ETC service—it's simple, can be applied for online, and is both cost-effective and reliable. Stay logical; in the era of connected vehicles, these small details affect the efficiency of the entire highway system.
