Can the ETC card be removed after installation?
2 Answers
The ETC card can be removed, but the ETC device will not function without it. According to Article 11 of the "Electronic ETC Usage Rules": 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 for you. 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. Therefore, removing the card renders the ETC unusable. ETC is an electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road payment system. It is specifically designed for toll roads, commonly seen on highways, toll bridges or tunnels, and certain urban road sections to alleviate traffic congestion. ETC Deduction Principles: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's 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. This allows vehicles to pass toll stations without stopping, operating on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." 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. Cost-saving: Minimizes wear and fuel consumption by reducing the frequency of vehicle starts and stops. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase traffic flow efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, more advanced, 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 smart cards should be widely adopted in key urban clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC should significantly increase." It also set a target of "achieving a 50% ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles on roads by 2020" in the main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the 13th Five-Year Plan period. Future possibilities: Beyond improving the convenience of ETC installation and increasing its adoption among passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC usage for trucks. Future developments may explore deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, and other smart transportation initiatives, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC usage.
As a driver with years of experience, I must say it's really not advisable to casually remove the ETC card once it's installed. That card is the 'ID card' of the device, storing your account information and payment data. Once removed, the device won't recognize your vehicle, and the next time you pass through a toll station, it might not work at all, forcing you to manually pay and waste time. I once tried removing the card, only to end up in an embarrassing situation on the highway, with dust getting into the card slot and affecting the contact. In the long run, frequent removal can easily damage the card slot or the card's chip, leading to costly and troublesome repairs. Unless you're replacing the card or repairing the device, it's best to leave it inserted. The key to ETC's convenience is stability—don't risk major issues for a bit of curiosity. Regularly keeping the device clean and avoiding exposure to high temperatures can help extend its lifespan.
