Can I apply for ETC if I am not the vehicle owner?
3 Answers
It is possible to apply for ETC even if you are not the vehicle owner. According to the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application of Electronic Non-stop Toll Collection Services on Highways" issued by the Ministry of Transport, the original valid ID card of the vehicle owner, the original and a copy of the vehicle registration certificate (with the page showing the latest annual inspection stamp) are required. If applying on behalf of someone else, the original valid ID card of the agent is also needed. If applying for ETC through major bank branches, a debit or credit card from the corresponding bank must be prepared. Some banks only support ETC binding with credit cards, while others may require freezing a certain amount as a deposit when binding ETC with a debit card. ETC Deduction Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through microwave short-range communication between the vehicle-mounted electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, computer network technology is used to conduct background settlement with the bank, achieving the goal of vehicles paying tolls without stopping at the toll station. All of this is based on the principle of "pass first, deduct 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: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, more advanced, 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 be significantly increased." 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 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 be made to promote ETC usage for trucks in the future. There will also be exploration of deep integration between the ETC system and smart transportation developments 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. ETC Usage Notes: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. If the vehicle in front stops, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters to prevent automatic payment for the vehicle in front in case of ETC device failure or absence. The recognition speed for ETC lanes is 20 km/h. Driving too fast may result in failure to read the vehicle device information and subsequent deduction failure. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag.
When I first learned to drive, I was also curious whether non-owners could apply for ETC, and it turned out to be completely possible. I once helped a colleague apply for it. You need to bring a copy of the owner's ID card, the vehicle registration certificate, and a simple authorization letter. You can download a template for this letter online, fill it out, and have the owner sign it. Just submit the materials at a bank or highway service point, and after they review them, they will mail the ETC device for you to install in the car. The benefits of ETC are too obvious—no need to queue at toll stations and you can save some money. For example, once on a long-distance drive, I saved half an hour. I recommend applying for it early, especially if you frequently drive on highways—it’s safe and hassle-free. Just remember that the owner must cooperate in providing the necessary documents; otherwise, it can be quite troublesome.
Non-owners can apply for ETC without issues. You'll need to prepare a copy of the vehicle owner's ID, the vehicle registration certificate duplicate, and an authorization statement, preferably in written form to avoid disputes. The process is simple: find an ETC partner institution like ICBC to submit the application, then wait for the device installation guide. I've seen many people handle it for relatives, saving a lot of cumbersome steps. The conveniences ETC offers include avoiding toll booth congestion, potential discounts, and more accurate toll calculations. From personal experience, booking an online appointment in advance speeds up the process significantly. This method works well for frequent business travelers or family-shared vehicles, ensuring smoother journeys.
