Can ETC continue to be used when changing cars but not license plates?

[DeArya]

ETC cannot be used if the vehicle information it is bound to is inconsistent. Different vehicle types have different highway toll fees. According to Article 9 of the "Rules for the Use of Non-Stop Rapid Passage Systems," 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 change to a new car with a new license plate, you need to cancel the original ETC and reapply for the new car. If it is a new car with the 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 deduction principles: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. 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 banks, the system achieves the purpose of vehicles not needing to stop at toll stations to pay road and bridge fees. 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: Green and low-carbon, vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Save on wear and tear: Reduces costs, decreases the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, and lowers 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 clearly 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 be significantly increased." It also explicitly set the goal in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators that "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 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 more application scenarios will support ETC applications. ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. When encountering a vehicle in front stopping, to prevent the vehicle in front from having a faulty ETC device or no ETC device at all, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters 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 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 center 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 lead to a failed fee deduction. 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 windshield is too thick, it may cause poor sensing. This is especially important for vehicles that have had accidents and had their windshields replaced or for those who have modified their front windshields.

[DiReese]

I found that when changing cars but keeping the same license plate, the ETC device can usually continue to be used, but some simple adjustments are required. The ETC is bound to the license plate and the original vehicle information. After the new car uses the old license plate, the device itself can still function, but you need to contact the ETC service provider to update the vehicle details. I personally went to a service point to handle this matter—bringing my ID card, the new vehicle's registration certificate, and the old device. The staff updated the new license plate and engine number in the system, which only took a few minutes. Failing to update may result in recognition issues during transit or the system mistakenly identifying it as an illegal new installation, wasting time and money. The ETC system was designed with such migrations in mind, allowing users to enjoy their rights as usual, and the device is compatible with most new cars unless it's a special model like a hybrid. I recommend checking the balance monthly to ensure seamless transit, which is much cheaper than opening a new account. The entire process is quite user-friendly, with no technical barriers.