Can ETC be used on another car?

[StKeegan]

ETC cannot be used if the vehicle information it is bound to does not match. Different vehicle types have different highway toll fees. According to the "Rules for the Use of Non-Stop Fast Pass System," when applying for ETC, the ETC card and OBU device are already bound to the vehicle, and the relevant vehicle information is imported, forming a one-to-one correspondence. If you replace your car with a new one and get a new license plate, you need to cancel the original ETC and reapply for the new car. If it's a new car with an old license plate, you can simply update the vehicle information at an offline service center. ETC is a non-stop electronic toll collection system. ETC lanes are set up for vehicles equipped with ETC onboard devices, using electronic tolling. The electronic toll collection system is an automated toll system for highways or bridges. ETC billing principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on the highway. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, computer networking technology is used to settle transactions with the bank in the background. This achieves the goal of vehicles not needing to stop at toll booths to pay highway or bridge fees, all 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 reducing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees; Improved efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can increase vehicle passing efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, newer, 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 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 "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators: "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 and increasing the ETC adoption rate among passenger vehicles, efforts will also be made to promote ETC usage for trucks. There will be exploration of deeper 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 car owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC usage. ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. If the vehicle in front stops, to prevent issues such as the front vehicle's ETC device malfunctioning or not having an ETC device at all, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters to avoid automatic sensing and paying for the front vehicle. The recognized speed for ETC lane passage is 20 km/h. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle's device information cannot be read, leading to billing failure. Unauthorized disassembly or movement of the OBU device, or detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag, will render the electronic tag invalid. It can be taken to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service center for inspection. If the loosening or detachment is not due to human interference, reactivation is sufficient. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance will also cause billing failure. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pass by paying cash or swiping a card. If the car's windshield is too thick, it may cause poor sensing. This is particularly important for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or for those who have modified their front windshields.

[LaStephanie]

As a long-time enthusiast studying automotive technology, I've found that ETC devices are designed to be bound to specific vehicle VIN codes and user account information during installation, making it absolutely impossible to transfer them to another car. The toll system scans license plates to match with device data, and any discrepancy can lead to minor issues like incorrect billing (overcharging or undercharging) or serious consequences like triggering alarms resulting in fines or access denial. A friend of mine ignored my advice and tried it, only to receive a hefty bill and have to visit the ETC service center to explain the situation—a real hassle. The correct procedure is to directly contact your service provider when changing vehicles; they offer transfer services that may involve a small fee but save major trouble. By the way, ETC device placement also matters—windshield angle affects signal stability, and improper installation in non-OEM vehicles is more prone to malfunctions. In short, don't try to outsmart the system—following regulations brings peace of mind, and always check official policies.

[SanHaley]

I've been driving on highways for many years. Once, I tried to move my ETC to a relative's car for convenience, but when exiting the highway, the barrier didn't open, and I was called to pay additional fees, which was quite embarrassing. Later, I learned that ETC is bound to the original vehicle's license plate. If placed on a new car with mismatched license plate information, the system will report an error. To transfer the device, you must go to an ETC service point for reactivation, where they will help pair it with the new license plate. It doesn't take much time and isn't expensive. I suggest everyone not to cut corners—before changing cars, call customer service to confirm the process to avoid unnecessary expenses. Additionally, the ETC device's card slot is fixed, and if the new car's windshield shape is different, it may cause weak signals and affect response speed. Proper installation is the most reliable.

[LaAva]

Youth Perspective: ETC devices shouldn't be arbitrarily transferred to other vehicles as it carries significant risks. The equipment is tied to the original vehicle's information, and moving it to a new car may cause scanning errors leading to billing chaos or card suspension. I once experienced an embarrassing queue due to a malfunctioning card reader caused by such misplacement. When changing vehicles, contacting the ETC company for device reinstallation is the quickest and most reliable solution, preventing follow-up issues. Pro tip: Choose ETC mounting locations based on windshield cleanliness - excessive dirt can affect sensor performance, so don't overlook this detail.