Can you still drive on highways without ETC in 2020?

[VanRebecca]

It is possible to drive on highways without ETC. According to the "Notice on Vigorously Promoting the Development and Application of ETC on Highways" issued by the State Council, vehicles without ETC in 2020 will not enjoy toll discounts. In the future, only one manual lane will remain at highway toll stations, and tolls must be paid manually. Additionally, newly installed ETC devices cannot be used immediately on highways; they must be activated first. 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 toll deduction principle: Highways will have one or more ETC lanes. 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 bridge and road fees. 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 eco-friendly: Low-carbon, as vehicles pass toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Reduce wear and tear: Saves costs by decreasing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption; Improve efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase vehicle passing 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. 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, intercity transportation cards will be interoperable in key city clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also set a 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, the future will also promote ETC usage for trucks and explore deep integration between the ETC system and smart transportation directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination. This will provide car owners with comprehensive travel services, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC applications.

[SanRuby]

I remember back in 2020 when I drove back to my hometown, I could still use the highway without having ETC installed in my car. At that time, toll stations maintained manual lanes where I'd just take a paper toll card at the entrance and pay with cash or by scanning a QR code at the exit. However, manual lanes often had long queues—once I was stuck for almost twenty minutes. Actually, there's never been a mandatory policy requiring ETC installation. Last year, my friend lent his car to someone temporarily, and since the ETC card wasn't properly inserted, they still passed smoothly through the manual lane. If you're worried, preparing some small change in advance is the safest bet. Nowadays, some toll stations even support mobile payments, which is much more convenient than dealing with change.

[Earl]

After a decade in the transportation business, I know all the ins and outs of highway toll stations. Even without an ETC device in 2020, you could definitely use the rightmost manual lane. When taking the entry card, pay attention to the staff's hand signals—they sometimes direct passenger cars to specific lanes. At the exit, it's wise to have cash ready, especially on remote routes. Last year in Guizhou's mountainous areas, I encountered a toll booth that only accepted cash. While ETC lanes are indeed faster, policies have never banned non-ETC vehicles from highways—electronic signs at toll stations always display 'Manual Lane' indicators.

[OAniyah]

When I first got my driver's license earlier this year, I was also confused about this and specifically asked my driving instructor. He said that cars without ETC can simply use the manual lane with traffic lights, just like when we enter a parking lot to take a ticket. However, there are fewer manual lanes now. Last time I went to Hangzhou, I had to circle around the toll station twice before finding one. A reminder for new drivers: Don't follow large trucks too closely when passing through, as you might accidentally enter an ETC lane. If you're driving a family car without ETC installed, remember to keep a transportation card in the car, as some gates support card payment.

[DeJosie]

When traveling on highways with elderly and children at home, extra caution is needed. Last week, I took my parents to a neighboring city for medical treatment in our old car without ETC. At the entrance, I had my child hand me the toll card, which was both safe and taught him to recognize toll station signs. Manual lanes allow vehicles to stop briefly, making them particularly suitable for situations like feeding infants. The Ministry of Transport clearly stated last year that manual lanes would be retained, and this policy can still be found on their official website. Old Zhang from our fleet always pays in cash, saying that getting invoices at the window makes reimbursement easier.

[SanKatherine]

A car repair shop mechanic taught me a trick: Before entering the highway without an ETC, lower the sun visor for easier access to the toll card. When you see the 'Mixed Lane' sign at the entrance, drive through it. Since 2020, many toll stations have combined manual and ETC lanes into this type. Remember to keep the toll card safe. Once I casually put it in my pocket and lost it, ending up paying an extra 80 yuan based on the longest distance. If you frequently use highways, it's advisable to install an ETC. Nowadays, banks offer free ETC installation, and passing through the toll gate is at least three times faster.