Can the installed ETC card be removed?
5 Answers
The ETC card can be removed, but the ETC device will not function without it. 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 for you. 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 functionality. 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 sections to alleviate traffic congestion. ETC Deduction Principles: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Communication between the vehicle-mounted electronic tag on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane enables toll payments without stopping at toll booths. This is achieved through computer networking technology and backend bank settlements, operating on a "pass first, deduct later" principle. Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the need to queue and wait. Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by avoiding idling at toll booths. Cost-saving: Lowers wear and fuel consumption by reducing frequent starts and stops. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes theoretically increase throughput by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster and more high-tech. 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 urban clusters by 2020 and significantly increasing the adoption rate of ETC in vehicles." 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 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-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.
Last month I just took out my ETC card, and the toll booth failed to recognize it immediately. A banker friend told me that although the card can be physically removed, the device has a built-in anti-tamper mechanism. Once detached from the windshield, that small button pops up and locks the device. To use it again, you have to go to the bank for reactivation, which is a real hassle. Moreover, repeatedly inserting and removing the card can easily scratch the chip contacts. Nowadays, highway toll stations rely on dual verification of license plate and card number via chip reading—if the chip is damaged, it becomes unusable. Even when washing the car or cleaning the windshield, I avoid the ETC device for fear of loosening it. Switching cars is even more troublesome—you have to deregister the old device and apply for a new one. So, unless absolutely necessary, it's best not to remove it once it's installed—just leave it where it is.
Last time at the repair shop, I saw a guy break his ETC device while trying to remove it himself. The back of the device has double-sided tape connected to a spring switch. While it's easy to pull out the card, even a slight shift of the entire base can trigger the lock mechanism. ETC devices need to stay attached to the windshield to receive solar charging – leaving it in the glove box for a few days will completely drain the battery. Now, replacing the device costs 180 yuan for materials, plus reactivation requires resubmitting vehicle license photos and waiting 2-3 days for system approval. It's especially awkward if the device happens to be in sleep mode when passing through a toll gate – the barrier won't lift. For temporary vehicle changes, consider mobile ETC options that directly link to payment apps for seamless passage.
ETC devices are designed for long-term fixed use. Repeatedly inserting and removing the card more than three times can easily cause contact oxidation, potentially leading to recognition failure by highway gantries and missed toll charges. Once, I removed the card for refueling convenience, but the device got displaced by vibration and locked. Bank tellers mentioned that each reactivation requires re-verification of vehicle information, and new regulations now mandate facial recognition authentication. If changing vehicles, it's better to apply for a new device directly, as deactivating the old one can refund the deposit. When applying windshield film, remind the technician to avoid the ETC mounting area.
When removing the ETC card, three key points require special attention: First, if the anti-tamper button pops up, the locked device must be sent back to the factory for repair. Second, frequent insertion and removal can cause chip wear. Third, if the device is disconnected from the solar power source, it will drain the backup battery. Nowadays, many car models have metal-coated windshields, and improper installation positioning can also affect signal reception. If removal is necessary, it's recommended to first apply an electrostatic sticker before securing the device to facilitate later relocation. However, cancellation policies vary by region—my colleague was charged a 200-yuan service fee for an inter-province transfer.
