Can I apply for ETC if the vehicle registration certificate is not under my name?

[LeJayce]

It is possible to apply for ETC even if the vehicle registration certificate is not under your name. According to the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application of Electronic Non-stop Toll Collection on Highways" issued by the Ministry of Transport, you need to bring the original valid ID card of the vehicle owner, the original and a copy of the vehicle registration certificate (the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp). If applying on behalf of someone else, you also need to provide 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 with a debit card. 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 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, thereby minimizing pollution; Cost-saving: Reduces vehicle wear and tear, lowers fuel consumption, and users can enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase vehicle passing efficiency 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 smart cards will be widely used in key city clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." The plan also sets a target of "achieving a 50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, future efforts will also promote ETC usage for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, and other smart transportation developments. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle 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 recognized speed for ETC lane passage 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 tag invalid. In such cases, you can take it to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service office for inspection. If the issue is not due to human error, 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 card. Poor sensing due to overly thick windshield glass, especially for vehicles that have had windshield replacements after accidents or modifications, should be noted.

[Rhonda]

Having driven for over a decade, I know that ETC must be linked to the vehicle license, which typically needs to be under the owner's name. If you try to apply using someone else's vehicle license, most banks and ETC service points won't approve it because the ETC system verifies the owner's identity and the bank card for fee deductions to ensure they belong to the same person. If they don't match, it might be mistaken for fraud, leading to serious trouble. My advice: if you're not the owner, it's best not to attempt it. Instead, have the owner go in person or bring their ID copy and a power of attorney to prove you're authorized to handle it on their behalf. This way, you can enjoy the convenience of express highway access while avoiding billing errors or legal disputes. ETC is a great tool for saving time, but rules must be followed—don't risk major losses for minor gains. Remember, safety comes first. Before applying, check official regulations or call customer service to clarify.