Can the ETC device be used with a different card?
2 Answers
ETC devices cannot be used with a different card. Here is more relevant information: 1. Reasons why it cannot be used with a different card: Because the ETC device and the electronic tag are bound to each other. The electronic tag refers to the OBU box. If the card information does not match the OBU box, it will result in the device being unusable. The card information must match the electronic tag and vehicle information. 2. How to change ETC: If you need to change the ETC due to a vehicle replacement, you can go to the bank to unbind the ETC first and then reapply for a new ETC. If you change the vehicle but keep the same license plate number, you can go to the bank to update the ETC information and then reinstall the OBU device.
I've dealt with similar situations before. ETC device card replacement is actually quite common, especially for frequent highway drivers like me. When the card inside your ETC device is damaged or expired, you can indeed replace it with a new one. The key is identifying the correct card type - most devices nowadays use removable RFID cards that can be simply pulled out and replaced, but don't attempt disassembly yourself if the device has a built-in card; you'll need professional service for that. After replacement, you'll need to rebind it to your bank account or ETC platform account. Last time I did it through a mobile app - just entered the new card number and license plate, and it was activated within minutes, super convenient. One important note: make sure your account information matches during the replacement, especially the license plate number, otherwise you might encounter payment issues at toll gates. I recommend regularly checking your card status to avoid last-minute panic when problems arise.
