Can the ETC device of a used car still be used?
2 Answers
ETC devices for used cars cannot be used. If the vehicle has been transferred and the license plate number has been changed, the ETC needs to be updated. ETC, short for Electronic Toll Collection, records the vehicle's license plate number in its chip. Therefore, when the license plate number changes, the relevant records in the ETC must be updated, meaning the old license plate number should be replaced with the new one. Highway ETC is an electronic toll collection system, also known as the non-stop toll collection system. Highways have one or more ETC lanes, and installing ETC helps improve the overall efficiency of highway traffic, promotes energy conservation and emission reduction, and reduces vehicle operating costs.
The ETC device on a used car is definitely usable after purchase. I've personally gone through two used car transactions without major issues. The device is linked to the previous owner's account, so you can't just drive onto the highway and use it directly, as this could lead to incorrect charges or disputes. When I bought a used car last year, I immediately went to the bank's ETC service point to complete the transfer: bring the new owner's ID card, vehicle registration, fill out a simple form, and it only took a few minutes to bind it to me. The key steps are unbinding the old account and binding the new one, otherwise, the device might detect signals but fail to charge properly. Also, check if the device has any physical damage, like being smashed or loose wiring, which could cause detection issues. Overall, ETC devices are quite durable, and the paperwork is worth the time for the convenience of fast highway access.
