Can ETC be used directly after installation?
4 Answers
After ETC installation, the ETC device needs to be activated before it can be used normally. According to the regulations of the State Council, starting from 2020, vehicles without ETC will not enjoy toll discounts. In the future, only one manual lane will be retained at highway toll stations, and tolls can only be paid through the manual lane. During free holiday periods, vehicles can still use the highway. For users who have installed ETC, passing through ETC lanes will not incur charges. ETC charging principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on the highway. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the on-board electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane of the toll station, and using computer networking technology for background settlement with the bank, the vehicle can pay tolls without stopping at the toll station. All of this is based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees later. Benefits of installing ETC: Save time: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and environmentally friendly: Green and low-carbon, vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions, and minimizing pollution; Reduce wear and tear: Saves costs, reduces the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowers wear and fuel consumption. Discount policies vary by region, and users in some areas can enjoy a 5% discount on tolls; Improve efficiency: The efficiency of ETC lanes can theoretically increase by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC updates faster and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council clearly 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 target in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators: "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 passenger vehicle usage rate, the future will also promote the use of ETC for trucks and explore the deep integration of the ETC system with smart transportation development directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for car owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC applications. ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing area is 8 meters. When encountering a vehicle in front stopping, to prevent the ETC device of the vehicle in front from malfunctioning or not having an ETC device at all, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters from the vehicle in front to avoid automatic sensing and paying for the vehicle in front. The recognition speed for ETC lane passage is 20 km/h. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle device information cannot be read, which will also lead to charging failure. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag, will cause the electronic tag to fail. It can be sent to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service office for testing. If the loosening or detachment is not man-made, it only needs to be reactivated. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance will also lead to charging failure. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pay with cash or by swiping a card. If the car windshield is too thick, it may cause poor sensing. This is especially important for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or for those who have modified their front windshields.
I recently installed an ETC device and thought it would work immediately at toll stations, but got stuck on my first try—pretty embarrassing. Later I learned that post-installation, you need to activate the account and link a bank card first. I contacted my bank staff to bind a credit card to the ETC before the service was fully enabled. The installer reminded me to do a low-speed test run in the ETC lane afterward, checking if the display shows license plate info and balance to confirm normal operation. If the screen stays blank, the device might be misaligned or have weak signal, requiring readjustment. Never rush onto highways without testing, or you risk getting blocked by toll barriers. Also, new devices usually have solar charging, so no extra power worries. In short, installing ETC doesn’t equal instant usability—follow these steps to ensure smooth operation.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I've installed ETC devices multiple times. Can you use it immediately after installation? No, you must complete the activation process. Typically, at the installation point, they'll help you bind your bank card and activate the service; if you DIY, you'll need to handle it online or by calling your bank. After installing the device, I usually drive to the nearest ETC entrance for a test run, passing through slowly to see if the display responds, ensuring smooth passage. Common issues include low battery in new devices or misaligned installation blocking the signal, which can be resolved promptly. Also, regularly check your account balance or card binding status to avoid payment failures. Remember, an unactivated ETC will only trigger an alarm at toll stations, wasting time and posing risks. Taking care of these small details early makes driving much more worry-free.
When I installed the ETC, my son taught me that I couldn't use it directly. I had to handle the bank card binding first. Usually, the bank would send someone to my home or call to activate the account. After binding the credit card, it would work normally for toll passage. After installing the device, make sure its position is aligned with the upper middle part of the windshield—don't place it too far off-center, or the signal won't work well. The testing method is simple: drive slowly to the toll station entrance, and if the green light turns on, it means everything is working. The new device has a solar panel, so it rarely needs charging. If any issues arise, contacting the service provider will resolve them quickly. Accumulating these small bits of knowledge makes driving safer.
