Can I Choose Not to Use ETC After Applying for It?
4 Answers
If you have applied for ETC, you can choose not to use it and instead take the manual lane on the highway. Since the manual lanes on highways are not equipped with ETC sensors, it is naturally possible to use the manual lane to take a card and pay the toll. There are two ways to take a card in the manual lane: one is to receive it from a professional staff member, and the other is for the driver to self-serve from a card dispenser. When passing through the toll station, it is essential to slow down and proceed in an orderly manner to avoid congestion caused by cutting in line. ETC stands for Electronic Toll Collection, which is an electronic toll system. To apply for ETC, you need to provide the original and photocopies of the vehicle owner's valid ID and driving license. If the application is not made by the owner, the agent must also bring their valid ID. The photocopy of the driving license must include the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp. Additionally, a bank card for deducting highway tolls is required, and the applicant must be between 18 and 60 years old, with the vehicle registered under their name. How ETC works: The vehicle-mounted electronic tag installed on the windshield communicates with the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station. Using computer networking technology, it settles the toll with the bank in the background, allowing the vehicle to pass through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping to pay the toll. Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and eco-friendly: Promotes low-carbon travel by reducing noise and exhaust emissions as vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping; Cost-saving: Reduces expenses by minimizing vehicle start-up and braking frequency, thereby decreasing wear and fuel consumption. Users can also enjoy toll discounts; Improved efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can increase passing efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC more advanced, faster, and high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous.
After driving for so many years, I can say that you can completely choose not to use the ETC after applying for it. Think back to when you applied—the bank or ETC service point installed a small device on your car window for automatic highway toll deduction, but that doesn’t mean you have to use it. I’ve tried several times: when approaching the toll station, there’s an ETC-only lane and a manual lane, and you can always choose the manual one to pay with cash or by scanning a QR code, just like before. However, I should mention that not using it might bring some minor inconveniences. On one hand, ETC often offers discounts, like holiday promotions or local policies, and you’ll miss out on savings if you don’t use it. On the other hand, if the device remains inactive for too long, it might trigger annual or management fees. I’ve heard some car owners complain that they forgot to use it and later had to visit a service point to cancel it. Overall, it’s your freedom not to use it after applying, but manually paying on the highway can sometimes mean long queues, which wastes time. It’s really more convenient to get used to ETC. If you’re worried about mistakes, just adjust the lane indicator in advance.
As an ordinary car owner who commutes daily, I've gone through the process of applying for an ETC. Of course, it's not mandatory to have one. When I applied, a friend recommended it for its convenience, but in actual driving, there was a period when I was busy with other things and didn't use the card at toll stations, manually paying the fees without any issues. The key point is, the ETC device is like a small electronic tag; if you don't activate it or choose ETC lanes, it's just a decoration and doesn't affect normal driving. A few small details to note: if unused for a long time, the device might go into sleep mode, and reactivating it might require contacting customer service, which can be a hassle; also, some service providers have hidden annual fees. I've checked my bills, and if you're not using it, it's best to verify if any fees are being deducted. In short, driving freedom comes first. ETC is a great feature that saves time and effort, especially during peak hours on highways, avoiding queues is super convenient. But if you're like me and only occasionally drive on city roads, you can completely ignore it.
As a long-time car enthusiast, I can confirm you absolutely have the option not to use ETC after application. The OBU device is essentially a receiver mounted on your windshield – you can simply bypass it at toll stations by manually taking cash lanes. Technically, the ETC system relies on RFID signals, so the device remains dormant if unactivated. However, consequences of non-usage include: potentially missing out on discounts (ETC users save considerably on cumulative toll fees) and needing staff guidance if accidentally entering ETC-only lanes at hybrid toll plazas (though safety remains unaffected). My advice: maintain regular device checks to prevent dust accumulation or battery issues, as cultivating this habit ultimately enhances travel efficiency. Rest assured, driving preferences remain entirely within your control.
