Can the card on the ETC be removed?

[VonCollin]

The card on the ETC can be removed, but the ETC device will not work without it. According to the "Rules for the Use of the Non-stop Rapid Passage System," the ETC card must be inserted into the OBU device to function properly; otherwise, user information cannot be read. If the card is removed, you can use the manual lane and have the staff swipe the card. When the ETC card is inserted into the OBU device, a prompt sound will indicate that the device is activated. Without the card, the device remains in a dormant state and cannot recognize vehicle information at toll stations, so it should be inserted when needed. ETC is an electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road toll system. It is specifically designed for toll roads and is 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. Communication between the vehicle's electronic tag (installed on the windshield) and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane enables toll payment without stopping at the toll station. This is achieved through computer networking technology and backend bank settlements, operating on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the need to wait in queues. Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by allowing vehicles to pass toll stations without stopping. Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent starts and brakes, lowering vehicle wear and fuel consumption. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase traffic efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster and more advanced. 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 smart 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 adoption for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-road coordination, and other smart transportation developments. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC usage.

[LaMia]

The card on the ETC device is generally not recommended to be removed casually, as it works with the device to deduct fees. Improper removal may cause the device to fail detection, resulting in unrecognized passage at toll stations, delaying your trip and potentially causing safety issues. I've personally experienced this situation—forgetting the card in my pocket led to a long delay at the highway entrance and nearly caused an accident. The ETC card is designed to be fixed in place; random removal may lead to loss or damage to the contact points, making repairs troublesome and possibly incurring extra costs. From a safety perspective, keeping the card in its original position is more reliable, especially for those who frequently drive on highways—moving the card can cause much more trouble. For daily cleaning, just wipe the surface with a soft cloth, and never give in to the urge to pull it out for fun.

[BriannaDella]

The ETC card can theoretically be removed, but it is connected to the device via electronic contacts to store user information and toll data. If it is removed and accidentally damaged or improperly reinserted, the machine may fail to read it, resulting in passage failure. Technically similar to a chip card, frequent insertion and removal increases the risk of wear. I recommend only operating it when necessary, such as when replacing an expired card or when dust affects its function, handling it gently and placing it in a safe place to avoid loss. In short, for daily use, it's best to leave it securely in the ETC device to ensure stability and peace of mind.

[StLawson]

Taking the ETC card out does offer some convenience in certain situations, such as when washing the car or avoiding damage from high interior temperatures—I usually prefer keeping things simple. However, in practice, not having the card in the device means manual handling at every toll booth, which is quite troublesome and may even cause delays. Losing the card would also mean a time-consuming and costly replacement. Weighing the pros and cons, keeping it fixed in place proves more hassle-free in terms of daily convenience, minimizing unnecessary hassle.

[StAsher]

When maintaining the vehicle, the ETC card may occasionally need to be removed to clean the contacts or replace it with a new one. However, the operation should be gentle to avoid damaging the card slot or electronic components due to excessive force. I have performed such operations during maintenance myself. After correctly removing the card, ensure there is no oxidation on the contacts before reinserting it, otherwise it may cause malfunctions and affect passage. In short, avoid moving the card unnecessarily during normal driving, and handle it with care during maintenance for safety.