Can ETC be used immediately after plugging in?
3 Answers
After 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 manual lanes. During free holiday periods, vehicles can still use the highways. For users who have installed ETC, passing through ETC lanes will not incur charges. ETC deduction principles: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with banks, the purpose of paying tolls without stopping at road and bridge toll stations is achieved. 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: Green and low-carbon, vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs, reduces the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, and lowers wear and fuel consumption; Improved efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased 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 explicitly set the goal of "achieving a 50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020" in the main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the "13th Five-Year Plan" period. More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and the ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles, 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 that more application scenarios will support ETC applications. ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing area is 8 meters. When encountering a vehicle in front that has stopped, 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's device information cannot be read, which will also result in a failed fee deduction. 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 due to human factors, it only needs to be reactivated. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance will also result in a failed fee deduction. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pay with cash or by swiping a card. Excessive thickness of the car windshield can 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.
As a frequent long-distance driver with a station wagon equipped with an ETC device, I initially thought it would work right after plugging in, only to be stopped at the toll gate on my first highway trip—super embarrassing! In reality, ETC isn't a plug-and-play gadget; you must first activate and link it to your bank account. The steps are: plug the device into the cigarette lighter socket and confirm the power light is on; then scan the device barcode or enter the activation code via your mobile banking app to associate your license plate with the payment method; wait for backend approval and notification. The whole process usually takes about half an hour—I forgot this step and caused a delay. After activation, a steady green indicator light confirms normal operation, with dynamic deductions for each pass, eliminating queue hassles. Post-installation, test at home or verify with your first toll receipt to ensure smooth operation. Don’t make the same reckless mistake I did.
From practical experience, after years of driving family cars, I tried installing an ETC but found it strange that it didn't work immediately after plugging in. Later, I learned that ETC devices consist of electronic tags and antennas, which require backend system authentication to function. Activation and binding are essential steps: after inserting the device, wait for the light to flash, then register the license plate via a WeChat official account or bank website, and link a UnionPay card by entering vehicle information. This ensures toll station sensors can recognize and deduct fees, preventing misuse or security risks. I've encountered several instances where the device failed due to dead batteries, necessitating regular checks or replacement of the built-in battery. Once activated, passing through tolls becomes lightning-fast, saving time and hassle. For beginners, I recommend keeping the manual or contacting the service point's customer support—they have professional tools to check the device's status, so don't overlook the activation process.
