Can the ETC card be unplugged when not in use?

[JoelAnn]

The card can be unplugged, but the ETC device will not function. According to the "Rules for the Use of Non-Stop Rapid Passage 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. If the card is not inserted, the device remains in a dormant state and cannot recognize vehicle information at toll stations. Therefore, the ETC cannot be used without the card inserted. Simply insert the card when needed. ETC is an electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road toll system. It is a specialized method for toll roads, commonly used 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 microwave short-range communication between the vehicle's windshield-mounted electronic tag and the toll station's ETC lane antenna, the system uses computer networking technology to settle payments with banks, allowing vehicles to pass toll stations without stopping. This operates 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 avoiding stops at toll stations; 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 efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster and more advanced. 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 "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators. Future possibilities: Beyond 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-road coordination, and other smart transportation developments. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC usage.