Can vehicles without ETC go on the highway?
2 Answers
Vehicles without ETC can still access highways, as the development of ETC has not completely eliminated manual toll stations. Vehicles without ETC can continue to use the method of stopping at the entrance toll station to collect a card and stopping at the exit toll station to hand in the card and pay the fee when driving on the highway. The installation and use of ETC is a policy requirement of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council to deepen the reform of the toll road system, abolish provincial boundary toll stations on highways, and achieve non-stop fast toll collection on highways. It is a livelihood project to facilitate the majority of car owners. Vehicles without ETC can continue to use the method of stopping at the entrance toll station to collect a card and stopping at the exit toll station to hand in the card and pay the fee when driving on the highway. However, these vehicles may have lower traffic efficiency, because at toll stations with heavy traffic, queuing may often occur.
I've been driving for many years without an ETC and often take the highway without any issues. I usually go through the manual toll lanes, paying with cash or mobile payment methods like Alipay QR code scanning, which is quite convenient. Occasionally, there's a bit of a queue, especially during holidays when it's busier, but it's never more than a few minutes' wait. I'd suggest new drivers keep some spare change handy, as some toll booths only accept cash—don't get stuck there. Having an ETC is indeed faster and comes with a small discount, but not having one isn't a problem either; it just means spending a bit more time. If you're going on a long trip, check the toll station information in advance to avoid peak hours when entering or exiting, ensuring a smooth journey.
