Can ETC be uninstalled after installation?
4 Answers
ETC can be uninstalled after installation. However, if the ETC device is removed by the user, it will become invalid because the ETC device has an anti-tamper feature. There is a small switch on the back of the ETC electronic tag; once it is peeled off the windshield, the internal switch will automatically shut off. Therefore, the vehicle's registration certificate must be presented to the ETC service provider for reactivation. ETC Billing Principle: 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 the bank, achieving the goal of paying road and bridge tolls without stopping at the toll booth. All of this is 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, 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; Improved efficiency: The efficiency of vehicles passing through ETC lanes can theoretically increase 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 smart cards in key city clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also set a target in the main indicators of the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development plan: "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 adoption rate of ETC for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote the use of ETC 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-road coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC applications.
I used to wonder if ETC devices could be uninstalled by myself, but found out the hard way that it's impossible. There's an anti-tamper button on the back - the moment you move it, the device automatically locks and requires reactivation at a service outlet. When I tried repositioning mine on the windshield, it bricked immediately after removal, forcing me to queue at the bank for half an hour to fix it. Unless you're deliberately deactivating the entire device (like handling ETC account closure before selling a car), don't mess with it. Even though newer models claim to be detachable, always call customer service first to confirm - unless you want to make a pointless trip like I did.
When my dad first installed the ETC, he kept saying he wanted to remove it later. The experienced mechanic at the repair shop spent half an hour explaining it to him. The ETC adhesive may look ordinary, but it's actually industrial-grade double-sided tape. Forcibly removing it could damage the front windshield film. The most critical part is the spring-loaded anti-tamper button - any displacement will lock the device. If you really must remove it (like when the glass is broken or you need to relocate it), you must drive to an ETC service center with your ID card to apply for a transfer. Trying to do it yourself could damage the wiring or even affect the solar panel's charging function, which would be more trouble than it's worth.
As a ride-hailing driver who spends every day on the highway, I've replaced the ETC devices on three cars. Removal and installation must be done at authorized service points—personal removal triggers the protection lock 90% of the time. Pay special attention to two key points: First, if the device fails and needs reactivation, you must bring the contract to a service outlet. Second, removing the device while having unpaid fees will land you on the system's blacklist. Last year, a fellow driver pried off their ETC themselves, only to find the toll gate barrier wouldn't lift—ending up paying a 50-yuan penalty fee. While newer devices allow online unbinding, self-removal still carries risks.
