Can the previous ETC still be used if the license plate number remains unchanged after changing cars?
3 Answers
The ETC cannot be used if the vehicle information it is bound to is inconsistent. Different types of vehicles have different highway toll fees. According to the "Rules for the Use of Non-Stop Rapid Passage Systems," when applying for an ETC, the ETC card and OBU device are already bound to the vehicle, and the relevant vehicle information has been imported, forming a one-to-one correspondence. If you switch to a new car with a new license plate, you need to cancel the original ETC and reapply for the new car. If it's a new car with the old license plate, you can simply update the vehicle information at an offline service center. ETC is a non-stop electronic toll collection system. ETC lanes are set up for vehicles equipped with ETC onboard devices, using electronic tolling. The electronic toll collection system is an automatic toll system for highways or bridges. ETC Deduction Principles: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with banks, the system achieves the goal of vehicles not needing to stop at toll stations to pay road or bridge fees. All of this is based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees later. Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line. Green and eco-friendly: Low-carbon, as vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution. Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by reducing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees. Improved efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can increase vehicle passage efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, newer, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council explicitly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, the interoperability of transportation smart cards in key city clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also set a clear target in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators: "By 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles will reach 50%." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and increasing the ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC use for trucks in the future. There will also be exploration of deep integration between the ETC system and smart transportation development directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-road coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for car owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC applications. ETC Usage Notes: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. When the vehicle in front stops, to prevent issues such as the front vehicle's ETC device malfunctioning or not having an ETC device at all, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters to avoid automatically paying the toll for the front vehicle. The recognition speed for ETC lane passage is 20 km/h. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle's device information cannot be read, leading to failed toll deductions. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag, will cause the electronic tag to fail. You can take it to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service center for inspection. If the detachment or loosening is not due to human factors, reactivation is sufficient. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance will also cause toll deduction failures. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pass by paying cash or swiping a card. If the car's windshield is too thick, it may cause poor sensing. This is especially important for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or for those who have modified their front windshields.
I also got a new car last year but kept the same license plate number, so I tried directly transferring the old car's ETC device to the new one. However, the system reported an error when entering the highway. The staff explained that ETC doesn't just bind to the license plate—it also records the vehicle's specific model and chassis number. Since the new car's parameters were different, the information needed updating. I immediately went to a nearby ETC service point with my new car's registration and ID card. They re-entered the data into the system and reactivated the device, and the whole process took just over ten minutes. Now it works perfectly. I suggest you handle this promptly too—don’t take risks like I did. If the toll station deducts the wrong amount or the device malfunctions, it could disrupt your trip and cost more than it's worth. Also, remember to check your ETC device regularly for looseness to ensure stable signals and smoother travels.
Got a new car but kept the old license plate. I checked the info – the ETC device should theoretically work but needs re-binding. Same plate number doesn't mean everything's fine, the system's vehicle identification data must be updated. I applied online via the official ETC app, uploaded the new car's documents, submitted the request, and the system automatically activated it after verification, saving me a trip to the service point. The process was simple and quick. If it seems troublesome, just visit a service center and let them handle it – don't delay. It makes highway passing much faster, with less traffic congestion being the biggest benefit. After changing cars, pay more attention to the device status and maintain it promptly to avoid malfunctions.
