Can vehicles equipped with ETC use the manual lane to get a card?

[AshleyLee]

Vehicles with ETC can choose to use the manual lane. Since the manual lanes on highways are not equipped with ETC sensors, it is natural to use the manual lane to get a card and pay. There are two ways to get a card in the manual lane: one is for a professional staff member to hand over the card, and the other is for the driver to self-serve the card from the card dispenser. When passing through the toll station, it is necessary to slow down and proceed in order, avoiding congestion caused by cutting in line. ETC is the abbreviation for Electronic Toll Collection, meaning electronic toll system. To apply for ETC, the owner must provide valid ID and the original and photocopy of the vehicle registration certificate. If the application is made by a non-owner, the agent's valid ID must also be provided. The photocopy of the vehicle registration certificate must include the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp. A bank card for deducting highway tolls is also required. Applicants must be between 18 and 60 years old, and the vehicle must be registered under a personal name. How ETC works: Through the onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield, it communicates with the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station. Using computer networking technology, it settles transactions with the bank in the background, allowing vehicles to pass through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping to pay tolls. Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions and pollution by allowing vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping; Cost-saving: Reduces vehicle start-up and braking frequency, minimizing wear and fuel consumption, and users can enjoy toll discounts; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase traffic efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC more updated, faster, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous.

[McJustin]

Last time I was driving on the highway with an ETC-equipped car, I encountered a long queue at the ETC lane of the toll station, so I directly took the manual lane. The staff naturally handed me the pass card, and there was no problem at all. However, remember to take the ETC card out of the device and put it in your pocket, otherwise the system will automatically sense and deduct the fee, causing the trouble of duplicate charges. This is exactly what happened to my friend—the ETC was scanned at the entrance, and then he had to pay cash at the manual lane at the exit, which was quite a hassle.

[LeFinn]

As a logistics driver with years of experience, our fleet runs on highways every day. Vehicles equipped with ETC can pass through manual lanes without any issues, but it's crucial to cooperate with the staff. It's best to roll down your window in advance and inform the toll collector that you want to use the manual lane, while also removing the ETC card. When you reach the exit, handing over the card and paying the fee will go smoothly. However, be careful not to switch lanes arbitrarily during peak hours. Some drivers change lanes to the manual lane when they see it's moving faster, which can easily lead to collisions with the guardrails of the toll booth.

[EverlyLynn]

Just yesterday, I applied for an ETC card for our company's new car and specifically consulted the highway management department. The official reply was clear: vehicles equipped with ETC can freely choose any lane. If you need to take a card at the manual lane, it's best to remove the card from the back of the OBU device in advance and place it in the glove box. The most hassle-free method is to remove the card before setting off, which avoids accidental scanning. In fact, many accidents are caused by sudden lane changes, so planning your lane in advance is crucial.

[CooperMarie]

My SUV has had an ETC installed for five years, and here’s my experience sharing about using manual lanes: Before entering the highway, decide which lane to use in advance and avoid changing lanes at the toll booth. When using a manual lane, remember to take out your ETC card and keep it safe, then inform the toll collector that you’ll pay in cash. At the exit, just hand back the pass card and pay—it even saves you a 0.5 yuan service fee compared to the ETC lane. But be careful not to wave the card near the device, as the sensing area can read it within 5 meters.

[IvanLynn]

Recently, I participated in a car club event where over twenty ETC-equipped cars went on a group trip. The leader instructed us to uniformly use the manual toll lanes and simply tell the toll collector to take a card for passage. The only requirement was to remove the ETC card in advance or use insulating tape to cover the device slot. When handing in the card at the exit, the system directly settled the payment, which was even more efficient than individual ETC vehicles passing through. However, remember that on mountainous highways in places like Yunnan and Guizhou, manual lanes are generally narrower, so be extra cautious about the lane width when making turns.