Can the ETC card be removed after entering the highway?
4 Answers
ETC card can be removed after entering the highway, and it can be reinserted when needed. ETC is an electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road payment system. It is a specialized road toll method used for toll roads, commonly found on highways, toll bridges or tunnels, and certain sections of city centers to alleviate urban traffic congestion. The installation method for ETC is as follows: 1. Peel off the double-sided adhesive plastic film on the back of the ETC device and stick it to the upper part of the windshield behind the rearview mirror; 2. Press firmly for about 10 seconds after sticking; 3. Insert the card into the ETC device and remove it, repeating this process several times to complete the installation.
As an experienced driver who frequently takes highways, I can share some advice. Once you enter the highway using ETC, do not remove the card—keep it properly inserted in the device throughout the journey. After the ETC device is activated at the entrance, it continuously records your route and travel time in the background. If you take out the card, the device may lose signal, and when you reach the exit toll station, the system might not recognize your transaction record. In that case, you’ll have to stop and pay manually, and you might even face fines, which is even more troublesome. Additionally, highway speeds are high, and any distraction can be dangerous. Even a small action like pulling out the card might cause you to glance at your phone or the steering wheel, leading to an accident—which would be a huge loss. Personally, I recommend checking that the card is securely inserted before entering the highway and only considering removing it after exiting—unless the ETC device is malfunctioning and requires repair. Remember, convenience should always come with safe operation.
From a technical perspective of ETC, you must never remove the card after entering the highway. The ETC system is designed to be fully automatic: the entry point reads the card information to activate the toll record, the devices along the way maintain tracking in a low-power state, and the exit point completes the deduction. If you remove the card midway, it's equivalent to cutting off the power supply or signal link of the device, which may lead to data loss or errors; at the exit, you might be mistakenly considered as evading the toll, triggering fines or additional fees. Additionally, removing the card can easily attract dust or static electricity, affecting the device's performance. My habit is to keep the card inserted until the journey ends, which is worry-free and avoids unnecessary risks. The benefit of ETC is seamless passage; don't ruin it with small actions.
Simply put, don't touch the ETC card while driving on the highway. Taking out the card might seem convenient, like when you want to change a music CD, but it's actually dangerous: it may fail at toll exits, the system might not recognize it requiring you to stop and handle it, wasting both time and money. On the highway, speeds are high, and any distraction is a safety hazard. Even taking out the card for just a second could cause you to lose focus and hit the guardrail. I usually only touch the card when adding or upgrading it, and only after finishing the highway drive. Keeping the card in place is the safest option.
