Can the ETC card be removed?
2 Answers
The ETC card can be removed, but the ETC device will not function without it. According to Article 9 of the "Rules for the Use of Non-Stop Rapid Transit Systems," the ETC card must be inserted into the OBU device for normal operation; 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 removing the card renders the ETC unusable. ETC is the Electronic Toll Collection system, also known as the Automatic Road Charging System. It is a dedicated road tolling method typically used on highways, toll bridges or tunnels, and certain urban road sections to alleviate traffic congestion. ETC Billing Principle: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's onboard 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, 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 hassle of waiting in queues. Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by enabling vehicles to pass toll stations without stopping. Reduced wear and tear: Saves fuel and minimizes vehicle wear by reducing frequent starts and stops. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically process vehicles 2-3 times faster, making traditional ETC systems more advanced and efficient. 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" in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators. More 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-to-infrastructure coordination, and other smart transportation developments. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC.
As a driver who frequently drives, I often get asked this. Yes, the ETC card can be removed from the OBU device, but you must ensure the car is turned off and not on the highway. If you pull it out randomly while driving, the toll system may malfunction, and you could be fined. When you want to clean the card or replace it, just give it a gentle pull—don’t use too much force to avoid damaging the card slot. From personal experience: once, I pulled it out in the garage to wipe off dust, and it worked fine, but a friend kept removing and inserting it, which led to poor contact and unnecessary repair costs. I recommend doing this only when necessary and not making it a habit. The card stores personal information, so keep it safe and don’t lose it. Regularly checking the device connection can prevent minor issues. Many people forget this these days, but driving safety is the top priority.
