Can ETC be processed across provinces?
3 Answers
ETC can be processed across provinces, requiring the vehicle owner's ID card, vehicle license, and vehicle photos. Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues; Green and eco-friendly: Promotes green and low-carbon travel, as vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by decreasing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase vehicle passing efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC more updated, faster, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. When the vehicle in front stops, to prevent issues like the front vehicle's ETC device malfunctioning or lacking an ETC device, maintain a distance of over 10 meters to avoid automatic payment for the front vehicle. The recognized speed for ETC lane passage is 20 km/h. Speeding may prevent reading the vehicle's device information and result in failed toll deduction. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or detachment/loosening of the ETC electronic tag, will render the tag invalid. It can be taken to the bank where the ETC card was issued or a highway service center for inspection. Non-deliberate detachment or loosening only requires reactivation. When using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may cause toll deduction failure. Follow on-site staff guidance to use the manual MTC lane with cash or card payment. Excessively thick car windshields may cause poor signal reception. This is especially important for vehicles that have had windshield replacements after accidents or for those with modified front windshields.
Last year while traveling in the neighboring province, I had some free time and decided to apply for an ETC at a local highway service area. The whole process was quite simple. I just needed to bring my ID card and bank card, and the staff helped install the device. Now I don't have to queue up to pay tolls wherever I drive. ETC is nationwide interconnected, so no matter which province you apply in, it works on all highways across the country. The only thing to note is that cross-province applications might sometimes require a temporary local address proof, but actually many banks accept out-of-town ID cards – I didn't have any trouble. Besides saving time, ETC also offers some discount benefits, making long-distance trips particularly cost-effective. If you frequently travel across provinces, I recommend getting one early to save a lot of queuing time – it significantly improves driving efficiency.
From my experience, ETC indeed supports cross-province applications as the system is nationally integrated. I've applied in several provinces without any issues, requiring only basic ID documents and a bank card, which can be processed at banks or designated outlets. The key advantage is the strong compatibility of ETC devices—no matter where you apply, they can be used seamlessly across provinces, avoiding the hassle of switching devices. It's worth noting that while there are no geographical restrictions on applications, recharge methods may vary by province, such as some places being more convenient via apps. Overall, ETC's networking advantages make cross-province applications very flexible, helping to reduce traffic congestion, and it's an efficient aid for daily commutes or travel. I highly recommend getting it installed early.
