Can ETC be removed after installation?

[DeEverett]

ETC can be removed after installation. However, removing the ETC device by yourself will render it invalid because the ETC device has an anti-tamper feature. There is a small switch on the back of the ETC electronic tag, and once it is peeled off from the windshield, the internal switch will automatically close. Therefore, you must take the vehicle's registration certificate to the ETC service provider for reactivation. ETC Billing Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle-mounted electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, the system uses computer networking technology to settle payments with the bank. This allows vehicles to pay tolls without stopping at the toll station, all based 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 allowing vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping, thereby lowering pollution. Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing vehicle acceleration and braking frequency, reducing wear and fuel consumption. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase traffic efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, more advanced, 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, intercity transportation cards will be widely used in key city clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also set a target in the "13th Five-Year Plan" for comprehensive transportation development: "By 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles should reach 50%." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC usage for trucks and explore deeper integration of the ETC system with smart transportation developments such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC. Precautions for Installing ETC: Avoid obstructing the driver's view; it is best to install it behind the rearview mirror. Many car models have windshields with steep angles, which can reduce the driver's field of vision. Installing ETC without considering this may increase blind spots. Installing it behind the rearview mirror on the right side can avoid obstructing the view. Do not interfere with charging: The ETC electronic tag requires power but generally does not need charging or battery replacement because it has a solar panel on the back for self-charging. Therefore, avoid installing it on the blackened areas of the windshield or positions that may block the solar panel. Do not remove it arbitrarily once installed: The button in the middle of the adhesive is an anti-tamper rod connected to a switch. Once installed on the windshield, the anti-tamper rod is pressed in. If removed arbitrarily, the rod will pop out and trigger the switch, locking the electronic tag and rendering it unusable. You will then need to visit an ETC service point to unlock it. This feature is designed to prevent multiple vehicles from sharing one device. Notes for Using ETC: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. To avoid paying for the vehicle in front due to its faulty ETC device, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters from the vehicle ahead. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 km/h; driving too fast may result in failed billing due to the system's inability to read the vehicle's device information. If using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may also cause billing failure.