Can cars without ETC use highways?

[OJayce]

It is possible to use highways without ETC. According to Article 19 of the "Notice on Vigorously Promoting the Development and Application of ETC on Expressways" issued by the State Council, vehicles without ETC by 2020 cannot enjoy toll discounts. In the future, only one manual lane will be retained at highway toll stations, and tolls can only be paid through manual channels. Additionally, newly installed ETC devices cannot be used on highways immediately; they must be activated before normal use. During free holiday periods, highways can still be used. For users who have already installed ETC, passing through ETC lanes will not incur charges. ETC Deduction Principles: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through microwave-specific short-range communication between the vehicle-mounted electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, computer networking technology is used to conduct background settlement with banks. This achieves the goal of vehicles paying tolls without stopping at highway toll stations, all based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees later. Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: 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; Reduced wear: Saves costs, decreases the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, and reduces wear and fuel consumption; Improved efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased by 2-3 times or more, making traditional ETC more updated, faster, and more 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, 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 clear target in the main indicators of the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development: "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 adoption rate for passenger vehicles, future efforts will include promoting ETC use for trucks and exploring the deep integration of the ETC system with smart transportation directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination. This will provide car owners with comprehensive travel services, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC applications.

[MacSawyer]

Back when I first started driving, there weren't many ETC devices on the roads, yet I still managed to travel far and wide on highways. Fellow drivers without ETC, don't panic—just look for the signs at the highway entrance, where dedicated manual lanes are set up for you. When it's time to pay, simply stop your car and use cash or scan a QR code with your phone. That said, I have to admit, during peak hours, these manual lanes can get terribly congested, with long queues eating up time and testing your patience. After installing ETC, it's been a breeze—the lanes are lightning-fast. I highly recommend frequent highway users to get one—it aligns with policy and offers discounts. Not having ETC won't stop you from using the highway, but the experience is far from ideal. I remember last year seeing an entrance with a queue stretching over a hundred meters—all vehicles without ETC. Installing the device early makes travel more convenient and efficient.

[Trevor]

Driving on the highway for daily commutes has become a routine for me. Back when I didn't have an ETC, I always lagged behind at the entrance. You can still drive directly into the manual toll lane, stop to interact with the toll collector, swipe your card or pay in cash—no ETC, no problem. But queuing during peak hours is truly annoying. I remember once being stuck for 20 minutes during the morning rush, making me late. After installing ETC, things got much easier—zooming through in an instant feels fantastic. The point of highway travel is speed; you can still go without ETC, but the constant hassle isn't worth it. If you rarely drive on weekends or take long trips, you might skip it, but for frequent travelers, installing ETC saves time and trouble. The government's push for ETC has effectively reduced congestion, and the post-installation experience is a game-changer. Don't miss out on that bit of convenience.

[Bell]

As a new car owner, I was curious about this when buying a car and checked the information to confirm that vehicles without ETC can still use highways. Just choose the manual lane at the entrance, stop to pay the toll, and you can use cash or mobile payment. I tried it once, queued for a few minutes at the entrance, and the toll collector politely issued a ticket and took the payment. However, I heard that ETC is much faster, as queues during peak hours can extend and waste time. Currently, there are policy incentives encouraging installation, so it's advisable to consider it early to avoid hassle. Overall, there's no issue with passage, just a bit slower—no need to worry.

[VanIsabella]

After years of traffic policy research, vehicles without ETC can fully access highways without worry. Dedicated manual lanes are set up at entrances for toll payment operations, with a simple and clear process. The national promotion of ETC aims to improve efficiency rather than being a mandatory requirement, and vehicles without installation still have passage rights. Data shows that manual lanes have slower transit speeds, exacerbating congestion during peak hours. I recommend installing ETC to respond to the policy, saving collective time costs and enhancing personal travel experiences. In the long run, installation is economically beneficial, and travel convenience increases rather than decreases.

[ArcherMarie]

As a commuter for many years, I highly value efficiency. Driving on the highway without an ETC was exhausting based on personal experience. Choosing the manual lane at the entrance, stopping to pay, and wasting a few minutes each time, plus the long queues during peak hours, was incredibly frustrating. After installing ETC, passing through is a breeze, saving both time and effort. While not having the device doesn't prevent you from using the highway, it does slow down your journey. I recommend frequent highway drivers to quickly install an ETC to avoid delays when in a hurry. Although toll collection methods have improved, manual stops are still inconvenient. The sooner you install it, the sooner you enjoy the convenience.