Can ETC still be used when changing license plates but not the vehicle?

[CodyMarie]

ETC cannot be used if the vehicle information it is bound to is inconsistent. Different vehicle types have different highway toll fees. According to 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 vehicle with new license plates, you need to cancel the original ETC and reapply for the new vehicle. If it's a new vehicle with old license plates, you can simply update the vehicle information at an offline service center. ETC is an electronic toll collection system that allows vehicles to pass through without stopping. ETC lanes are designated for vehicles equipped with ETC onboard units, using 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 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, the system uses computer networking technology to perform backend settlement with the bank, achieving the goal of vehicles not needing to stop at toll stations to pay highway or bridge 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: 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; 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 smart 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 main indicators for the development of comprehensive transportation during the 13th Five-Year Plan: "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 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-road 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. When encountering a stationary vehicle ahead, to prevent issues such as the vehicle's ETC device malfunctioning or not having an ETC device at all, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters from the vehicle ahead to avoid automatic sensing and paying for the wrong vehicle. The recognized speed for ETC lane passage is 20 km/h. If the vehicle speed is too fast, the system may fail to read the vehicle's device information, resulting in failed fee deductions. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag, can cause the electronic tag to malfunction. In such cases, you can take it to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service center for inspection. If the detachment or loosening was not due to human error, reactivation may be sufficient. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance can also lead to failed fee deductions. In such cases, follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pay with cash or card. If the vehicle'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.

[Susan]

Changing the license plate while keeping the same vehicle may render the ETC unusable. I previously encountered a similar situation where, after the plate change, the ETC device failed to respond at the toll station. The system treated the new plate as a new vehicle, resulting in failed deductions. The ETC system is bound to the original license plate information for vehicle identification, so once the plate number changes, the device loses its connection. I recommend promptly contacting the ETC service provider to update the binding—for example, by scanning the ETC card via a mobile app or submitting the new plate number on the official website. Otherwise, during highway transit, it may be mistakenly flagged as unpaid. Additionally, delayed handling could trigger account anomalies, adding verification hassles. In most regions, traffic regulations require consistent vehicle information, so don’t delay in checking whether the device functions properly—prevention is the safest approach.