Can I Use the Manual Lane with an ETC?

[DiElena]

You can use the manual payment lane with an ETC, but you need to remove the ETC card and hand it to the toll collector. When using the manual lane, you must stop the vehicle, take the card out of the OBU device, and let the toll collector swipe the card to obtain exit information. When passing through the toll station, proceed in an orderly manner and avoid cutting in line, which could cause congestion in the manual lane. ETC is an electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road toll system. It is a specialized method for collecting tolls on roads, commonly used on highways, toll bridges or tunnels, and certain urban road sections to alleviate traffic congestion. ETC Deduction Principle: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's electronic tag (installed on the windshield) and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, the system uses computer networking technology to settle payments with banks. This allows vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping, based on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line. Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by allowing vehicles to pass without stopping. Reduces wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent starts and stops, lowering vehicle wear and fuel consumption. Improves efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase passing efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More Policy Support: The State Council's "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Integrated Transportation System" explicitly states the goal of "achieving interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters by 2020 and significantly increasing the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC." It also sets a target of "50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020." Future Possibilities: In addition to improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, future efforts will promote ETC usage for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination for smart transportation. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC. ETC Usage Notes: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. If the vehicle ahead is stationary, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters to prevent accidental toll payment for the other vehicle due to ETC device failure or absence. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 km/h. Driving too fast may prevent the system from reading the vehicle's device information, leading to failed deductions. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or if the ETC electronic tag becomes loose or detached, may render the tag invalid. In such cases, take it to the bank where the ETC card was issued or a highway service center for inspection. If the issue is not due to human interference, reactivation may suffice. Using a debit card linked to ETC may result in failed deductions if the balance is insufficient. Follow the instructions of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane with cash or card payment. Thick or modified windshields may cause poor signal reception, especially for vehicles that have undergone windshield repairs or replacements after accidents.

[MatthewLee]

Of course you can use the manual lane. I've driven on highways several times and encountered similar situations. Last time my ETC card accidentally fell off, so I just went through the manual lane. The toll collector was quite helpful—they asked if I was an ETC user, and I explained there was an issue. They then used a scanner to record my license plate and had me pay in cash. The whole process was simple, with about a five-minute wait in line before passing through. However, I should remind you that if your ETC device is working properly, it's better to use the dedicated lane for faster passage, as manual lanes can get congested during peak hours. Maintaining proper ETC tag placement is important—don’t position it too close to the edge where it might affect signal reception. Occasionally using the manual lane won’t cause issues, but doing so frequently might lead to incorrect toll records, so it’s good to check your ETC battery and connection regularly. Highway management accounts for this flexibility, so feel free to use it without worrying about any hidden risks.

[MorganLee]

You can definitely choose the manual lane even if you have ETC. I occasionally do this myself on long drives, especially when the ETC device malfunctions or if I want to pay in cash. Just drive directly into the manual toll booth. The staff will use a handheld device to input your license plate number or scan your ETC card, then charge you the standard fee. I recommend slowing down and observing the lane signs before entering, choosing those marked "Manual" or "Mixed Payment" to avoid accidentally entering an ETC-only lane and causing trouble. Manual lanes are generally slower than ETC because you have to stop and wait for the staff to process your payment, so they're less efficient. But if you temporarily forget your ETC card, this is definitely a good backup. Remember, using the manual lane won’t damage your ETC system or account—it’s just a switch in payment methods. For maintenance, regularly wipe the ETC tag to prevent dust buildup from affecting its recognition.

[StDante]

As a newly licensed driver who just got my license, I used to worry about whether I could use the manual lane after installing an ETC. I tried it once during a recent highway trip, and it actually worked. When entering the toll station, I chose a lane marked with a manual sign. The toll collector asked about my payment method, and I said I had an ETC but wanted to pay via Alipay. They processed it manually and collected the payment. The whole process only took a minute or two without any issues. Later, I checked the information and found that ETC vehicles are completely allowed to use manual lanes, as the system has records. However, a reminder: ETC-exclusive lanes are usually faster and more suitable during peak hours. If your device works well, using the dedicated lanes more often saves time.

[VonMiguel]

From a technical perspective, ETC-equipped vehicles can fully enter manual lanes. Toll collectors will manually scan the license plate or ETC card information using a mobile terminal to complete the payment process. This does not interfere with the ETC account, as the system is already integrated with compatibility. The advantage is that manual lanes can handle exceptions that ETC fails to recognize, such as malfunctions caused by strong electromagnetic interference; the downside is slower passage speed, taking an average of several dozen seconds longer. Highway designs have accounted for this flexibility, so there's no need to worry about rule issues. However, in practice, it's advisable to keep the ETC tag clean and ensure correct installation to minimize malfunctions. Occasionally using manual lanes doesn't impact efficiency, but long-term reliance may waste resources.