Can you drive on highways without ETC installed in 2021?

[DelTanner]

It is possible to drive on highways without ETC. According to the regulations of the State Council, starting from 2020, vehicles without ETC cannot enjoy toll discounts. In the future, only one manual lane will be retained at highway toll stations, and tolls can only be paid through manual lanes. Additionally, newly installed ETC devices cannot be used on highways immediately; they must be activated before normal use. During free holiday periods, highways can still be used. For users who have already installed ETC, passing through ETC lanes will not incur charges. ETC charging principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through microwave dedicated short-range communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with banks, the purpose of paying tolls without stopping at road and bridge toll stations is achieved. 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 queues; Green and eco-friendly: Green and low-carbon, vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions, and minimizing pollution; Cost-saving: Reduces expenses, decreases the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, and lowers wear and fuel consumption. Improved efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC updates 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 "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 be significantly increased." It also explicitly set the goal of "achieving a 50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020" in the main indicators of the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development plan. More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and the ETC passenger vehicle usage rate, the future will also promote the use of ETC for trucks and explore the deep integration of the ETC system with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-road coordination, and other smart transportation development directions, providing comprehensive travel services for car owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC applications.

[LukeMarie]

I've been driving for many years. Back in 2021, you could still get on the highway without an ETC, no need to worry unnecessarily. There are manual toll lanes at highway entrances—just drive up and stop briefly. The staff will accept cash or scan a QR code for toll payment, and the process is very simple. ETC lanes are more convenient, allowing automatic fee deduction without queuing, plus a 5% discount. In 2021, the government strongly promoted ETC but didn’t make it mandatory. I’ve experienced peak-hour queues at manual lanes, waiting over ten minutes, but with ETC, it’s much faster. I recommend getting a free ETC card from a bank and binding it to your car—installation takes just minutes. In short, you can still use highways without ETC, though it costs more time and money, but it doesn’t affect legal access. Remember to check your lights and tires for safe driving.

[AdalynnMarie]

Hey bro, didn't install ETC in 2021? No worries, you can still hit the highway as usual! There are always manual toll lanes at the entrance - just drive up and pay with cash, WeChat or Alipay. ETC offers a 5% discount and queue-free benefits, but it wasn't mandatory in 2021. I didn't have it installed back then either, and got stuck a few times in manual lanes during trips. After installation, passing through becomes lightning fast - highly recommend getting one with free installation. Nowadays there are fewer manual lanes at toll stations, waiting can be annoying but tolerable. Key point to remember: highway access is no problem, just less efficient. Safety first - don't speed, okay?

[Herbert]

In 2021, vehicles without ETC can still use highways, as toll stations provide manual lanes for cash or electronic payment. The ETC system is not mandatory, offering a 5% discount and efficient passage but not required for installation. Policies allow all vehicles normal access without prohibition. Not having ETC may lead to longer queues and additional time and costs. Considering ETC is recommended to optimize travel experience, but the choice remains optional.

[Matilda]

As a driver who often travels with family, we had no problem using the highway in 2021 without an ETC. The manual toll booths are simple—just stop, pay with cash or scan a code, and go. However, during holidays, long queues can easily lead to motion sickness and affect the mood. ETC offers discounts, eliminates the need to stop, and saves time and effort—it's worth installing, especially since banks offer it for free. The policy encourages but does not force installation, and you can still travel safely without it. It’s recommended to install it early for convenience. Always pay attention to road conditions and prioritize safety when traveling.

[ClaireMarie]

In the long run, not having ETC installed in 2021 does not affect highway access as manual lanes remain open with flexible payment methods. ETC saves time and money, offering higher efficiency—recommended installation for discounts and future convenience. The 2021 policy is not mandatory, allowing normal passage, but post-installation benefits are numerous with simple card application and binding. Not installing is also an option, though requiring more effort—remember to prioritize safe driving and vehicle condition checks.