Can I Use the Manual Lane with ETC Installed?
3 Answers
With ETC installed, you can use the manual payment lane, but you need to remove the ETC card and hand it to the toll collector. When using the manual lane, be sure to 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 to prevent 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 Principles: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Through microwave short-range communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with banks, the system allows vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping to pay tolls. This is based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees 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 through toll stations without stopping. Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent starts and stops, lowering vehicle wear and fuel consumption. Improved 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 Comprehensive 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, future efforts will promote ETC use for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with smart transportation directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. ETC Usage Notes: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. If the vehicle ahead stops, maintain a distance of over 10 meters to prevent accidental toll payment for the vehicle ahead. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 km/h. Driving too fast may result in failure to read the vehicle's device information and toll deduction failure. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or if the ETC electronic tag falls off or becomes loose, may render the tag invalid. It can be taken to the bank where the ETC card was issued or a highway service office for inspection. If the issue is not caused by human interference, reactivation may be sufficient. When using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may cause toll deduction failure. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane with cash or card payment. Thick windshields may cause poor signal reception, especially for vehicles that have had windshield replacements after accidents or modifications.
After installing ETC, of course you can still use the manual lane. I often do this myself, especially during holidays when there are long queues at toll stations - if the ETC lane is jammed, I just switch to manual. Before doing so, remember to turn off the OBU device in your car, otherwise the sensor might automatically deduct the fee, costing you money for nothing. Manual lanes usually require stopping to scan a code or pay in cash, which is slower but much more flexible. Once when my ETC malfunctioned, I temporarily used the manual lane without any issues - just needed to notify the toll station staff. This kind of operation is quite common on highways, so don't worry about your vehicle being locked or fined; it's just giving you an additional option. However, if you frequently switch between them, it's advisable to regularly check your device status to avoid accidental fee deductions. In short, having ETC doesn't prevent you from using manual lanes, allowing you to handle various situations with ease and travel more comfortably.
If you have ETC installed, it's no problem to use the manual lane. I tried it several times when I first started driving. Beginners tend to be flustered, so remember to press the OBU switch in your car to turn it off before passing through the manual toll station to avoid automatic scanning and deduction. At the manual lane, you need to stop and pay, usually with cash or Alipay, which is a bit slower than ETC but suitable for cash payment days. I've encountered ETC malfunctions before, and the staff at the manual lane handled it directly without any issues. If the ETC lane is too crowded, don't hesitate to switch to save time. Just be careful not to pass through the manual area with the device turned on, as you might get charged twice. Pay a little attention to these small details, and your car will function normally. Drive safely!
