Can the ETC debit card be removed when not in use?
2 Answers
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 specifically designed for toll roads and is commonly used on highways, toll bridges or tunnels, and certain urban roads to alleviate traffic congestion. ETC Deduction Principles: 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, coupled with computer network technology for backend bank settlements, vehicles can pass through toll stations without stopping to pay tolls. This is 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 lowering pollution. Cost and wear reduction: Saves fuel and reduces vehicle wear by minimizing frequent starts and stops. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase vehicle throughput by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, more advanced, and more efficient. 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." Future possibilities: Beyond improving the convenience of ETC installation and increasing its usage among passenger vehicles, future efforts will focus on promoting ETC for trucks and exploring deeper integration of ETC systems 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.
As a young driver, I think the ETC rechargeable card can be safely removed when not in use. For example, I take it out and put it in my pocket after long-distance commutes to prevent forgetting it in the car or unauthorized use by others. The card itself is designed like a credit card, supporting occasional insertion and removal without affecting toll collection. However, frequent handling may wear out the card slot, especially with older devices where loose interfaces may cause poor contact upon reinsertion, leading to toll collection failure. A friend of mine experienced this and had to reinsert it several times before it was recognized. So, I recommend removing it only during long-term disuse or infrequent highway trips, avoiding daily repetition since replacing the device is troublesome and costly. Overall, as long as you handle it gently without excessive force, it should be fine. I've been doing this for a year—saving money and staying worry-free.
