Can someone else apply for ETC on behalf of the vehicle owner?
2 Answers
It is possible to apply for ETC even if you are not the vehicle owner. According to the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) on Highways" issued by the Ministry of Transport, the following documents are required: the original valid ID card of the vehicle owner, the original and a copy of the vehicle registration certificate (showing the most recent annual inspection stamp), and if applying on behalf of someone else, the original valid ID card of the proxy applicant. If applying through major bank branches, a debit or credit card from the corresponding bank is also needed. Some banks only support ETC binding with credit cards, while others may require freezing a certain amount as a deposit when binding with a debit card. ETC Deduction Principle: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Using dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's on-board unit (OBU) installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, the system connects with the bank's backend for settlement, allowing vehicles to pass toll stations without stopping. This operates on a "pass first, deduct later" principle. Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the need to queue and wait. Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by avoiding idling at toll booths. Cost-saving: Reduces wear and tear, fuel consumption, and offers a 5% discount on toll fees. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically process vehicles 2-3 times faster than traditional methods, making them faster and more technologically advanced. Compared to license plate payment, ETC is more mature and advantageous. Policy support: The State Council's "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Integrated Transportation System" aims for widespread ETC adoption by 2020, targeting 50% usage among passenger vehicles. Future possibilities: Beyond increasing ETC convenience and adoption rates, future plans include promoting ETC for trucks and integrating ETC with vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication for smart transportation. ETC Usage Notes: The ETC sensing range is 8 meters. If the vehicle ahead stops, maintain a distance of over 10 meters to avoid accidental deductions for the wrong vehicle. The ETC lane recognizes vehicles at speeds up to 20 km/h. Excessive speed may cause reading failures. Tampering with or moving the OBU device, or if the ETC tag becomes loose or detached, may deactivate it. Non-intentional issues can be resolved by reactivation at the issuing bank or highway service center. Insufficient balance on a debit card linked to ETC may cause payment failure. Follow staff instructions to use cash or card in manual MTC lanes. Thick or modified windshields may interfere with ETC signal reception, especially after repairs or replacements.
It is perfectly acceptable for someone else to handle the ETC application on behalf of the vehicle owner, which is quite common in practice, especially when the owner is unavailable. Typically, the authorized agent needs to bring a copy of the owner's ID card, the original vehicle registration certificate, and a signed power of attorney specifying the entrusted matters, such as filling out the application form at the bank's ETC counter. Don’t overlook this small detail, as missing it may lead to rejection. There are many locations for processing, such as branches of China Construction Bank or Bank of China, and the process can often be completed on the same day if everything goes smoothly. From a convenience perspective, this saves the owner time, but it’s best to coordinate the required documents in advance to avoid multiple trips. I also recommend checking for ETC benefits simultaneously, such as free installation or toll discounts, to make the process more efficient and enhance the daily driving experience.
