Can the ETC card be removed at will?

[ChristopherAnn]

The ETC card can be removed, but the ETC device will not function without it. According to the "Rules for the Use of the Non-Stop Rapid Transit System," the ETC card must be inserted into the OBU device to operate normally; 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 disables ETC functionality. ETC is an electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road toll system. It is specifically designed for toll roads, commonly found 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. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's windshield-mounted electronic tag and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, the system connects with banking networks for backend 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 hassle of waiting in queues; Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by eliminating stops at toll booths; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent starts and stops, lowering vehicle wear and fuel consumption; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase traffic flow by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC 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 smart cards in key urban 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: Beyond improving ETC installation convenience and passenger vehicle usage rates, 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, providing comprehensive travel services for car owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC usage.

[Miles]

Regarding whether the card on the ETC device can be casually removed, I have some practical advice to share. As someone who frequently drives on highways, I've learned to leave the card in place once it's inserted. The card is tightly secured in the OBU unit inside the car, and pulling it out carelessly might cause device malfunctions or reading errors. Out of curiosity, I once tried removing it, and at the toll gate, the system didn't respond, resulting in an error that left me stuck at the entrance, nearly facing a fine. During normal driving, the card should remain fixed unless you're replacing it or the device requires maintenance. The card itself is quite fragile; frequent insertion and removal can wear out the metal contacts, shortening its lifespan. Keeping it as is saves hassle, ensuring smooth toll collection on highways without unnecessary trouble. In short, avoid unnecessary tampering—developing good habits benefits everyone.

[DeJude]

Let's talk technically about whether the ETC card can be removed casually. The card is inserted into the OBU unit in the car, connected to the motherboard via precise contact points. Frequently removing it while driving can damage these contact points—mild cases may cause data transmission interruptions and toll collection failures, while severe cases could short-circuit and render the entire device useless. The internal voltage of the device is stable, but human errors, such as inserting metal objects, may cause a short circuit. It's recommended to replace the card only during device updates or when the card expires, handled by professionals. Keep the card stable during daily use, as loosening on bumpy roads may affect signal reception efficiency, causing additional toll delays. The key is prevention: don’t frequently remove or insert the card for convenience, as it will only lead to extra repair costs.

[MacAshlyn]

From a safety-first perspective, can the ETC card be removed at will? Absolutely not! The card is fixed in the car to ensure a smooth toll collection process. If you remove the card on the highway, the system may malfunction and fail to recognize you, resulting in being stuck at the exit, having your vehicle impounded or fined, and even causing accidents. A friend of mine took it out and put it in his wallet for convenience, but later forgot to reinsert it. When passing through the toll station, the barrier wouldn't open, and he had to get off the car—fortunately, no one was hurt. The card is designed to be permanently placed in the device to prevent dust and water ingress and reduce misoperation. When driving daily, ensure the device is intact and periodically check that the card is securely positioned without shaking. In case of an emergency, handle it only after safely parking the car—never fiddle with it while driving. This is about everyone's driving safety and cannot be taken lightly.