Can I drive on the highway without installing ETC?

[ZoeDella]

You can drive on the highway without installing ETC by obtaining a toll card at the manual toll booth at the entrance and stopping to pay at the manual toll booth at the exit. The working principle of ETC is: through dedicated short-range communication between the ETC electronic tag installed on the vehicle and the ETC microwave antenna at the toll station, using computer networking technology to conduct background settlement processing with the bank, enabling vehicles to pay highway or bridge tolls without stopping when passing through highway or bridge toll stations. Precautions for installing ETC include: 1. Avoid obstructing the line of sight; 2. Avoid affecting device charging; 3. Avoid disassembling it arbitrarily.

[Easton]

You can still drive on the highway even without an ETC device. I often drive long distances, and there are multiple lanes at highway entrances: ETC-only lanes and manual toll lanes. If you don’t have ETC, just take the manual toll lane, stop, and pay the toll with cash, WeChat, or Alipay. Remember to prepare change or link your payment app in advance to save time at the window. ETC is indeed super convenient—once activated, it automatically deducts fees for instant passage, especially helpful during peak holiday traffic to avoid queues. But don’t worry, I have friends who travel weekly for work without ETC—they just spend a little extra time paying fees. Currently, ETC promotion is strong, with many provinces offering installation subsidies or discounts, so I recommend considering it for long-term savings. Safety first on the highway—just follow the signs when choosing lanes without disrupting normal driving.

[JoshuaLynn]

Of course you can take the highway, just use the manual lane if you don't have ETC. As a road trip enthusiast, highways are essential routes, and most toll stations across regions provide mixed lanes for cash or mobile payment users. Payment is simple - just scan a QR code or use cash, very convenient. The core advantage of ETC lies in efficiency - automatic deduction eliminates stops, reduces emissions, supports environmental protection, and saves time and fuel especially for long-distance multi-section tolls. Nowadays you can even apply for ETC devices through mobile apps with super convenience. But if you only occasionally use highways, it's fine to go without ETC temporarily and use manual lanes first. The key is to carefully observe signage at highway entrances and choose the correct lane to avoid mistakenly entering ETC-only lanes and getting fined.

[DeHeidi]

You can definitely drive on the highway without an ETC, as manual toll lanes remain open. I've been driving for decades, and back when ETC wasn't widespread, everyone relied on stopping to pay tolls to enter and exit the highway. The process is the same now: just choose the right lane, pay in cash or scan a QR code to pass through the gate. Having an ETC installed does speed things up, reducing queue time and making commutes more convenient, but not having one doesn't affect your right to drive. Just pay attention to the signs at the toll booth entrance to avoid mistakes.

[Daphne]

For highway access, you can simply use the manual lane without an ETC. For daily family trips, this method is completely sufficient. Just ensure to check the windows for safety when paying and parking, and prevent children from moving around. Installing an ETC allows for faster passage, reducing frustration, saving fuel, and avoiding long queues, making it cost-effective, especially for frequent long-distance travel. You can temporarily opt for manual payment by preparing cash or using an APP, without worrying about affecting travel safety.