Can I still drive on the highway without ETC?
2 Answers
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 remain at highway toll stations, and drivers can only pay the toll through the manual lane. Additionally, a newly installed ETC cannot be used immediately on the highway; the ETC device must be activated first. During free holiday periods, vehicles can still use the highway, and 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 the highway. Through microwave-specific short-range communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, the computer network technology is used to settle accounts with the bank in the background, achieving the purpose of paying tolls without stopping at the toll station. All of this is based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees later. Benefits of Installing ETC: Save Time: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and Eco-friendly: Green and low-carbon, vehicles pass through the toll station without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions, thereby decreasing pollution; Reduce Wear and Tear: Saves costs, reduces the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption; Improve Efficiency: The efficiency of passing through ETC lanes can theoretically increase 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. More Policy Support: The State Council clearly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, the interoperability of transportation cards in key urban clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase," and explicitly set the goal in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators that "by 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles will reach 50%." More Future Possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and the ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles, the future will also promote the use of ETC for trucks and explore the deep integration of the ETC system with smart transportation development directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC applications.
As a long-haul truck driver who frequently travels on highways, making three to four trips daily, I can confirm that not having an ETC doesn't prevent you from using the highway. Manual lanes are always available. For professionals like us, sometimes we forget or simply can't be bothered to apply for an ETC, so we just take the manual lane at the entrance, stop to pay with cash or scan a code. However, ETC is much more convenient—automatic toll deduction without stopping, especially during peak hours when manual lanes form long queues, wasting a good ten minutes or more and even affecting overall traffic flow. I recommend fellow drivers to get one—it saves hassle, time, and even some fuel. Safe driving is always the priority; don't let minor issues disrupt your journey. While policies don't prohibit vehicles without ETC from using highways, adapting to the new system early can significantly improve efficiency.
