Can the ETC card be removed when not in use?

[LaGage]

When the ETC is not in use, 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 Passage System," 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 disables the ETC function. ETC is an electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road toll system. It is a specialized method for toll roads, commonly seen on highways, toll bridges or tunnels, and certain urban road sections to alleviate traffic congestion. ETC Charging Principle: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's on-board 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 through toll stations without stopping, all based 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 allowing vehicles to pass toll stations without stopping. Cost-saving: Reduces vehicle wear and fuel consumption by minimizing frequent starts and stops. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase traffic flow 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's "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive 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 main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the 13th Five-Year Plan. Future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC usage for trucks and explore deeper integration of the ETC system with smart transportation directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-road coordination. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC usage.

[VonKathryn]

I personally think this is a pretty common issue, as I often hear fellow car enthusiasts asking about it when working in the garage. You can definitely remove the ETC card when not in use, just like a regular bank card. If you're driving long-distance without needing to pay tolls, simply take it out and store it safely. However, be aware that frequent insertion and removal may damage the card slot or the metal contacts on the card, leading to the device failing to read the card and affecting future use. From my experience, if you don’t use the highway for several months, it’s safer to remove the card and store it in the glove compartment or a fixed location to avoid it getting dislodged by bumps. Just remember, the device can only deduct fees properly when the card is inserted—otherwise, you might run into issues at toll stations and cause delays. It’s best not to insert or remove the card while driving; find a safe place to do so. Additionally, regularly checking the card and device status can prevent unexpected issues, especially for older vehicles prone to wiring problems. I’ve seen cases where drivers forgot to remove the card, leading to poor contact and unnecessary repair costs.