Can ETC Pass If It Doesn't Match the License Plate?

[LaMatteo]

If the license plate number bound to the ETC does not match the actual license plate number, it cannot be used and will not pass. Different vehicle types have different highway toll fees. According to the "Rules for the Use of Non-Stop Rapid Passage Systems," when applying for an ETC, the ETC card and OBU device are already bound to the vehicle, and the vehicle's relevant information has been imported, forming a one-to-one correspondence. If you switch to a new car with 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 an electronic toll collection system that allows non-stop passage. ETC lanes are set up for vehicles equipped with ETC onboard devices and use electronic toll collection. The electronic toll collection system is an automated toll system for highways or bridges. ETC Deduction Principles: There will be one or more ETC lanes on the highway. Through microwave dedicated short-range communication between the onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, the system uses computer networking technology to perform backend settlements with the bank, achieving the goal of vehicles not needing to stop at toll stations to pay bridge or road fees. 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: Theoretically, ETC lanes can improve vehicle passage 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, intercity transportation cards will be basically interoperable in key city clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also clearly 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 adoption rate for passenger vehicles, the future will also promote the use of ETC for trucks and explore deeper 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 Notes: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. When 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 from the front vehicle to avoid automatic sensing and paying for the front vehicle. The recognition speed for ETC lane passage is 20 km/h. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle device information cannot be read, leading to failed fee deductions. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or if the ETC electronic tag falls off or becomes loose, 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 falling off 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 fee deduction failures. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pay with cash or card. If the car's 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.

[KiraAnn]

I encountered a similar situation on the highway just a couple of days ago! My friend had an ETC registered under their old license plate installed in their car, and they didn’t update it in time after getting a new plate. The barrier lifted when passing through the ETC lane, but the next day, they received a text message notifying them to pay the overdue toll. Those high-definition cameras at the toll booths are incredibly sharp—they automatically flagged the mismatch between the license plate and ETC info. I’d suggest updating your info at the bank immediately, or you might end up on the blacklist next time. My friend even had to pay a 50% penalty fee when settling the overdue toll—what a loss! Now, every time I pass through the gate and see the green light flash, I get nervous. Oh, and if you’re driving a rental car, remember to take the manual lane and get a physical ticket—it’s much less hassle.

[BrielleFitz]

I've researched this: ETC lanes are equipped with a dual-mode recognition system. First, the camera scans the license plate, and then the device reads the OBU tag. When the two don't match, although the probability of the barrier lifting exceeds 80% (to ensure smooth traffic flow), the system automatically flags the discrepancy. You'll receive a supplementary payment notice within 48 hours, requiring payment for the actual mileage plus an additional 20% administrative fee. The most troublesome part is that three consecutive errors will directly freeze the ETU device, requiring a visit to a service point for reactivation. Last week, Old Wang's truck next door had a recognition error due to a dirty license plate, costing him over 300 yuan extra in supplementary fees. It's recommended to check monthly if the OBU device on the windshield is loose or displaced.

[AveryMarie]

Once, I got into trouble with a colleague's new energy vehicle because of this. He had just switched to a green license plate but forgot to update the ETC. At the toll station, the beep sounded normal, but after the trip, the app showed 'license plate verification failed,' and the entire journey was charged at the highest mileage rate, costing an extra 180 yuan. Calling customer service revealed that such discrepancies prevent precise path tracking, and the system automatically applies the highest charge as a fallback. Now I’ve learned my lesson—before borrowing a car, I always ask the owner to send a photo of the ETC device for verification. If there’s a mismatch, removing the card and using the manual lane is the safest bet. Even though it means queuing, at least you won’t be overcharged.