Can I choose not to use ETC after installation?
2 Answers
If you have applied for ETC, you can choose not to use it and take the manual lane on the highway. Since the manual lanes on highways are not equipped with ETC sensors, it is natural to take the manual lane to collect a card and pay. There are also two ways to collect cards in the manual lane: one is to receive the card from a professional staff member, and the other is for the driver to self-collect the card from the card dispenser. When passing through the toll station, it is necessary to slow down and proceed in an orderly manner. Do not cause congestion by cutting in line. ETC is the abbreviation for Electronic-Toll-Collection, meaning electronic toll collection system. To apply, you need to provide the original and photocopy of the vehicle owner's valid ID card and driving license. If the application is not made by the owner, the agent's valid ID card must also be provided. The photocopy of the driving license must include the page stamped with the most recent annual inspection. A bank card for deducting highway tolls is also required. Applicants must be between 18 and 60 years old, and the vehicle must be registered under an individual's name. For company vehicles applying for ETC, the following documents are required: company introduction letter, business license, duplicate of the business license, company seal, legal representative's ID card, vehicle driving license, and vehicle registration certificate. These documents can be submitted at various bank branches or the One-Card Company for processing. Business license or organization code certificate, original letter of authorization for ETC business processing stamped with the company seal, original and photocopy of the agent's ID card, and original vehicle registration certificate. How ETC works: Through the on-board electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield, it communicates with the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station. Using computer networking technology, it settles accounts with the bank in the background, allowing vehicles to pass through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping to pay. Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Avoid the hassle of queuing and waiting; Green and eco-friendly: Green and low-carbon, as vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and pollution; Cost-saving: Reduce costs by decreasing the frequency of vehicle starts and stops, minimizing wear and fuel consumption; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically improve passing efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC updates faster and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous.
I've been driving on city highways for over a decade, and installing ETC is mainly for convenience—just a quick scan to pass through toll stations, saving queuing time. Can you choose not to use it? Of course, you can. The system is installed in your car, and when you don't want to use it, you can simply take the manual toll lane and pay with cash or by scanning a QR code—the ETC device won't automatically deduct fees. However, I still recommend using it. After all, you've gone through the trouble of installing it, and not using it would be a waste. Plus, on some routes, ETC users can get small discounts, which can add up to savings over time for frequent highway drivers. If you really don’t want to use it, remember to switch lanes early at the toll station to avoid cutting into the wrong queue and causing congestion. Also, after installation, make sure to regularly check the device's battery or card insertion status to prevent expiration or failure, which would require reinstallation.
