Can the ETC card still be used after being removed?
4 Answers
The ETC device cannot be used when the card is removed. According to the "Rules for the Use of the Non-Stop Fast 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, there will be a prompt sound, indicating that the device is activated. Without the card inserted, the device remains in a dormant state and cannot recognize vehicle information when passing through toll stations. Therefore, the ETC cannot be used if the card is removed. ETC is a non-stop electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road toll system. It is a dedicated road toll method typically used 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 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 in the background. This allows vehicles to pay tolls without stopping at toll booths, 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, thereby minimizing pollution. Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent starts and brakes, lowering vehicle wear and fuel consumption. Improved efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can increase traffic 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, key city clusters should achieve interoperability of transportation smart cards, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC should significantly increase." It also set a target in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators: "By 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles should reach 50%." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously 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 the ETC system with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, and other smart transportation developments. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC usage.
After removing the ETC card, the card itself can usually still be used as long as it hasn't suffered physical damage. However, the key issue lies in how the ETC system operates. When the card is taken out of the onboard unit (OBU), the system cannot read the card's data and binding information at toll stations, leading to payment failures. This might result in being stopped on the highway to pay in cash, adding unnecessary hassle. From my driving experience, many friends believe removing the card protects it from theft, but ETC cards are designed to be secure, and keeping them fixed inside the OBU actually lowers the risk. If you genuinely need to replace the card, remember to first visit a service point to unbind it; otherwise, reinserting the old card might be rejected, causing unnecessary delays. In short, avoid frequent removal and insertion—keeping it in place is the most hassle-free approach.
As a driver, I've been curious about the impact of removing the ETC card. The fact is that the card can be reinserted and used after being pulled out, but during this period, the ETC function is completely disabled, and automatic toll deduction is impossible. The system relies on the card stored in the OBU to hold vehicle ID and account information. Removing it is like unplugging a power cord—the toll station sensors won't recognize your vehicle. Occasionally, minor issues like poor contact may be fixed by removing and reinserting the card to reboot, but this mostly occurs with aging devices. For safety, it's best to keep the card in place to avoid data loss or synchronization errors. Other methods, such as checking indicator lights or testing via an app, can verify ETC device functionality.
After removing the ETC card, the physical state of the card is generally normal and can be reinserted into the same or a new device for operation. However, the system may malfunction at the moment of removal, potentially causing missed toll deductions or even double charges when driving through toll stations. I once tested this on the highway - after removing the card, the device reported an error and required pulling over to address the issue. The solution is to ensure the contacts are clean before reinserting the card; if the metal contacts are oxidized, clean them with alcohol. This method proves more effective than card removal testing, especially for older vehicle models where OBUs tend to accumulate dust.
