Can I apply for ETC if the car is not under my name?
4 Answers
It is possible to apply for ETC even if you are not the car owner. According to the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) Services on Highways" issued by the Ministry of Transport, you will need the original valid ID card of the car owner, the original and a copy of the vehicle registration certificate (the page with the latest annual inspection stamp), and if you are applying on behalf of someone else, you will also need the original valid ID card of the agent. If applying for ETC through major bank branches, you will also need to prepare a debit or credit card from the corresponding bank. Some banks only support ETC binding with credit cards, while others may require freezing a portion of the 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 dedicated short-range microwave communication between the onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane of the toll station, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with the bank, the vehicle can pass through the toll station without stopping to pay the toll. 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. Users can also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees. 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, intercity transportation cards will be basically interoperable in key city clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also set a target in the main indicators of the "13th Five-Year Plan" for comprehensive transportation development: "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 among passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC usage for trucks and explore deep integration of ETC systems with smart transportation directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination. This will provide comprehensive travel services for car owners, meaning 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 sensing and payment for the vehicle in front, in case its ETC device is faulty or nonexistent. The recognition speed for ETC lanes is 20 km/h. Driving too fast may result in failure to read the vehicle's device information and subsequent deduction failure. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or if the ETC electronic tag falls off or becomes loose, may render the electronic tag invalid. You can take it to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service office for inspection. If the loosening or detachment is not due to human factors, reactivation may suffice. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance may cause deduction failure. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pay with cash or by swiping a card. Thick windshields may cause poor sensing, especially for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or those with modified front windshields.
I had a similar experience when helping a friend apply for an ETC for a car not registered under his name. It's not difficult to handle, but you'll need to contact the vehicle owner for authorization or necessary documents. Generally, ETC applications require the vehicle's registration certificate, a copy of the owner's ID card, and preferably a signed power of attorney. You can process it via online platforms like bank apps by uploading these documents, or visit an ETC service center for manual submission. The advantage is that ETC saves on highway tolls and speeds up passage, especially during holiday traffic jams. Just make sure all information matches the vehicle details to avoid rejection or future hassles. After setup, my friend saved 30-50 yuan monthly, adding up to over a thousand a year. The whole process takes just a day or two with minimal effort.
Honestly, you can apply for an ETC even if the car isn't registered under your name, as long as the owner agrees to assist. From a practical perspective: if you frequently drive on highways, ETC is incredibly convenient as it eliminates the need to stop for toll payments. During the process, first communicate with the owner, obtain a copy of their ID and the vehicle information, then bring your own identification to a bank or apply online. Nowadays, many places offer shared ETC features, like Alipay mini-programs that allow binding different vehicles, which is super flexible. This avoids personal hassle while still enjoying a 5% discount. Once, I helped a family member apply and saved over a hundred yuan in monthly fees. I recommend handling it as soon as possible to avoid last-minute issues affecting your travel plans.
I know a bit about the policy, you can apply for ETC even if the car is not under your name. The rules are simple: bring the vehicle registration certificate and the owner's authorization letter to the ETC service counter for application, either at a bank or the highway management department. The application requires verification of vehicle ownership and cardholder identity to ensure safety and legality. The process is efficient and usually completed within 30 minutes. The benefit is that ETC deductions are straightforward, reducing the risk of congestion.
