Can I still drive on the highway without ETC?

[ChaseMarie]

It is possible to drive on the highway without ETC. According to the regulations of the State Council, starting from 2020, vehicles without ETC will not enjoy toll discounts. In the future, only one manual lane will be retained at highway toll stations, and tolls can only be paid through manual channels. Additionally, newly installed ETC devices cannot be used immediately on the highway; they must be activated first. During free holiday periods, highways can still be used. For users who have already installed ETC, passing through ETC lanes will not incur charges. ETC Deduction Principles: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through microwave short-range communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, coupled with computer networking technology for backend bank settlements, vehicles can pay tolls without stopping at toll stations. This is based on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues; Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by allowing vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping; Cost-saving: Reduces vehicle wear and tear and fuel consumption by minimizing frequent starts and stops. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on tolls; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase throughput 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 cards should be widely interoperable in key city clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC should significantly increase." The plan also set a target of "achieving a 50% ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles by 2020" in its main indicators for comprehensive transportation development. Future possibilities: Beyond improving the convenience of ETC installation and increasing its usage rate among passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC adoption for trucks. Future developments will explore deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, and other smart transportation initiatives, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC usage.

[AlejandroFitz]

Now you can still use highways without activating an ETC. As a retired driver with decades of experience, I've witnessed all kinds of changes on expressways. Without ETC, you'll need to enter the manual toll lane at the toll station, stop to take a card, and then stop again at the exit to pay—either with cash, mobile payment, etc. While this method works, it's less efficient, especially during peak hours when queues can add over ten minutes to your trip. I recommend getting an ETC if possible—it automatically deducts fees without stopping, often offers a 5% discount, and saves both time and money. In emergencies, like late-night travel, manual lanes remain open, ensuring no disruption to entry or exit. Highway management is quite user-friendly; ETC is never mandatory, just a recommended convenience. Of course, if you're concerned, keep an eye on ETC promotion policies—toll methods may become more efficient in a few years, but for now, everything stays the same.

[AlyssaAnn]

I certainly support the practice of being able to access highways without ETC, as I've driven this way for several years. You can simply enter the manual toll lane at the toll station, take a ticket, pay the fee, and continue on your way. The advantage of ETC is fast, contactless passage and fuel savings through discounts, but everything works fine without it. Comparatively, manual lanes may involve queuing and wasting time, especially adding an extra half-hour during long trips. I think it all comes down to personal choice: if you don’t use highways often or aren’t usually in a hurry, there’s no need to get ETC; but if you drive on highways daily, I recommend installing an ETC device to reduce the likelihood of traffic jams. Additionally, toll systems have been upgrading in recent years, with some entrances possibly having more ETC lanes and fewer manual lanes, but manual lanes will never be completely eliminated. Remember to bring cash or have mobile payment ready for a smooth and safe entry and exit.

[IsabelaLee]

As someone who drives for a living all day, I have to say you can still get on the highway without an ETC. You just stop at the manual toll booth to take a ticket and pay, either with cash or by scanning a QR code—it doesn't affect your passage. But honestly, this method is inefficient. Waiting in line for two or three minutes at each station adds up, costing you several trips a day and impacting your income. I recommend fellow drivers to get an ETC whenever possible—it allows automatic passage, saving both time and effort. If you don’t get one, there’s no policy forcing you to, but it’ll just be more troublesome. Highway toll stations always have enough manual lanes to ensure smooth entry and exit. Recently, there are discounts promoting ETC adoption, but there are no fines for not installing it—everything remains normal. The key is to remember to avoid peak-hour congestion or leave earlier to buffer your time.