Can non-owners apply for ETC?
3 Answers
Non-owners can also apply for ETC. According to the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application Service of Electronic Non-stop Toll Collection on Highways" issued by the Ministry of Transport, the original valid ID card of the vehicle owner, the original and a copy of the vehicle registration certificate are required. The page of the registration certificate with the most recent annual inspection stamp should be provided. For proxy applications, the original valid ID card of the proxy is also required. If applying for ETC through major bank branches, a debit or credit card from the corresponding bank must be prepared. Some banks only support ETC binding with credit cards, while others may require freezing a portion of the amount as a deposit when binding ETC with a debit card. ETC Deduction Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the on-board electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane of the toll station, computer networking technology is used for backend settlement with the bank. This achieves the purpose of vehicles not needing to stop at toll stations to pay tolls, all 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: Low-carbon, as vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by decreasing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption. Users can also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees; Improved efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can increase vehicle 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 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 interoperable in key city clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC should be significantly increased." It also set a target in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators: "By 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles should 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, efforts will be made to promote ETC usage for trucks and explore the deep integration of the ETC system with smart transportation directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination. 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 in front stops, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters to prevent automatic fee deduction for the vehicle in front, in case its ETC device is faulty or non-existent. The recognized speed for ETC lane passage is 20 km/h. Excessive speed may prevent reading the vehicle's device information and cause fee deduction failure. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag, will render the electronic tag invalid. It can be taken to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service office for inspection. If the detachment or loosening is not due to human factors, reactivation is sufficient. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance may cause fee deduction failure. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pass by cash or card. Poor sensing may occur due to overly thick car windshields. This is especially important for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or for those who have modified their front windshields.
As someone with years of experience borrowing cars, I can confirm that non-owners can apply for an ETC, but there are certain conditions. I often drive my friend's car for business trips and wanted to get my own ETC two years ago to avoid queuing for toll payments on highways. Later, I learned that the key is obtaining the owner's authorization, such as a written power of attorney or an electronic signature. For the application, you'll need a copy of the owner's vehicle registration, a copy of their ID card, and your own ID card. You can apply at a bank or an ETC service center. Some platforms, like WeChat mini-programs, even support online document uploads, making it very convenient. One major benefit is the 5% discount with ETC, which saves a lot of money over time. However, note that the ETC is linked to the license plate number, so if the vehicle information doesn’t match, the card may be frozen. It’s advisable for non-owners to discuss this with the owner first to ensure all documents are accurate, making the process smooth and hassle-free.
Having worked in the ETC business for many years, I know many people ask whether non-owners can apply. The simple answer is yes, but the process requires formal procedures. You need the vehicle owner's cooperation to provide relevant documents, such as the vehicle registration certificate, the owner's original or photocopied ID card. If you are not a relative, it's best to have a notarized power of attorney. Submit the application through a bank app or physical location, and once approved, the ETC card will be bound to the vehicle. The benefits include efficient passage and avoiding payment congestion. However, improper handling may cause delays, such as rejection due to incomplete documents. I recommend consulting local service point rules in advance, as requirements vary slightly by region. The ETC system is designed for convenience, and as long as you follow the rules, non-owners can also enjoy the benefits of smart travel.
