Can ETC be used on other vehicles?
2 Answers
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 the Non-Stop Rapid Passage System," when applying for ETC, the ETC card and OBU device are already bound to the vehicle, and the relevant vehicle information has been imported, forming a one-to-one correspondence. If you switch to a new vehicle with a new license plate, you need to cancel the original ETC and reapply for the new vehicle. If it's a new vehicle 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 and use electronic tolling. The electronic toll collection system is an automatic 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, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with the bank, the vehicle can pay the toll without stopping at the highway or bridge 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 eco-friendly: Low-carbon, as vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Reduce wear and tear: Saves costs by decreasing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption; Improve efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased by 2-3 times or more, 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 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 clear 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 for passenger vehicles, efforts will also be made to promote ETC usage for trucks in the future. There will be exploration of deep integration between the ETC system and smart transportation development directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle 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 is stationary, 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 recognition speed for ETC lanes is 20 km/h. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle device information cannot be read, leading to billing failure. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or the ETC electronic tag falling off or becoming loose, 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 factors, it only needs to be reactivated. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance can also cause billing failure. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pay with cash or card. Thick car windshields 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.
As a regular driver who frequently uses highways, I believe ETC devices generally cannot be directly transferred to another vehicle because they are bound to the original car's license plate information. If you forcibly move it to a new car, the system may misidentify it, leading to failed toll deductions or even fines. The correct approach is to first visit an ETC service center or bank to complete the unbinding procedure, providing your ID card and vehicle registration certificate, and then reinstall and reactivate it on the new car. The entire process typically takes about half an hour to an hour—don’t skip this step, as any malfunction could end up delaying your trip. Additionally, when installing, be careful not to place the device too close to the edge of the windshield, as it may obstruct your view. While ETC is convenient, following the rules ensures a hassle-free and safe experience.
