Can the owner apply for ETC without a driver's license?

[CameronRose]

The owner can apply for ETC even without a driver's license. According to the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application of Electronic Non-stop Toll Collection on Highways" issued by the Ministry of Transport, the owner needs to provide the original valid ID card, the original and a copy of the vehicle registration certificate, and the page of the registration certificate with the most recent annual inspection stamp. If someone else is handling the application on behalf of the owner, they also need to provide their original valid ID card. If applying for ETC through the business offices of major banks, a debit card or credit card from the corresponding bank is also required. Some banks only support ETC binding with credit cards, while others may require freezing a portion of the amount as a deposit when binding ETC with a debit card. ETC deduction principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on the highway. Through the dedicated short-range microwave communication between the on-board electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane of the toll station, the computer network technology is used to settle accounts with the bank in the background, achieving the purpose of paying road and bridge tolls without stopping at the toll station. All of this is based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees later. Benefits of installing ETC: Save time: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and environmentally friendly: Green and low-carbon, vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Reduce wear and tear: Saves costs, reduces the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, and lowers wear and fuel consumption; Improve efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC updated, faster, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council clearly stated in the "Development Plan for the Modern Comprehensive Transportation System during the 13th Five-Year Plan" that "by 2020, the interoperability of transportation cards in key urban agglomerations will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will be significantly increased." It also clearly stated in the main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the "13th Five-Year Plan" that "by 2020, the ETC usage rate of road passenger vehicles will reach 50%." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and the ETC usage rate of passenger vehicles, the future will also promote the use of ETC by trucks and explore the deep integration of the ETC system with the development direction of smart transportation, such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination, to provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means that more application scenarios will support ETC applications. Precautions for using ETC: The ETC transaction sensing area is 8 meters. When encountering a vehicle in front that has stopped, to prevent the ETC device of the front vehicle from malfunctioning or not having an ETC device at all, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters from the front vehicle to avoid automatic sensing and paying for the front vehicle. The recognition speed for ETC lane passage is 20 km/h. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle device information cannot be read, which will also lead to deduction failure. Unauthorized disassembly or movement of the OBU device, or detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag, will cause the electronic tag to fail. It can be sent to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service office for testing. If the loosening or detachment is not man-made, it only needs to be reactivated. When using a debit card to bind ETC, insufficient balance will also lead to deduction failure. You can follow the guidance of on-site staff to the manual MTC lane and pass using cash or card. Excessive thickness of the car windshield can lead to poor sensing. This is especially important for vehicles that have been repaired after an accident and had their windshields replaced, or for friends who have modified their front windshields.

[MacCorbin]

I usually help my family manage car-related matters, and I found that applying for an ETC doesn’t require a driver’s license at all. The main documents needed are the vehicle owner’s ID card, the vehicle registration certificate, and a bank card. For example, I don’t have a driver’s license myself, but I installed an ETC for our family car—the process was super simple: just go to a bank or an ETC service point, fill out a form, provide the required documents, and it’s done on the spot. The ETC is linked to the vehicle itself, not the driver, so I often remind my friends: even if you’re a bad driver, getting an ETC early is totally worth it to save time queuing at toll booths. After installation, you also get discounted toll fees, saving dozens of yuan on fuel each month. Maintenance is hassle-free too—just keep some money in the card and check the battery regularly to avoid draining it. In short, not having a driver’s license is no obstacle at all; the key is ensuring you have all the documents ready for the application.