Do I need to remove the card when not using ETC?
3 Answers
It can be removed, but the ETC device will not function without the card. According to the "Rules for Using the Non-stop Rapid Passage System," the ETC card must be inserted into the OBU device for normal operation; otherwise, user information cannot be read. If the card is removed, you can use the manual lane and have the staff swipe the card. When inserting the ETC card into the OBU device, there will be a prompt sound, indicating that the device is activated. Without the card, the device remains in a dormant state and cannot recognize vehicle information at toll stations, so you need to reinsert the card when you want to use it. ETC is an electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road toll system. It is a specialized method for collecting tolls on roads, commonly used on highways, toll bridges or tunnels, and certain urban sections to alleviate traffic congestion. ETC Deduction Principles: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle-mounted electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, computer networking technology is used for backend settlement with banks, allowing vehicles to pass toll stations without stopping. This operates on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues. Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by eliminating stops at toll stations. Cost-saving: Reduces wear and tear, fuel consumption, and offers a 5% discount on toll fees. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically process vehicles 2-3 times faster, making traditional ETC more advanced and efficient. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council's "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" explicitly states the goal of "achieving interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters by 2020 and significantly increasing the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC," with a target of "50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020." Future possibilities: Beyond improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, future efforts will promote ETC use for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, and other smart transportation developments, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC usage.
As a driver who frequently travels long distances, I'm very familiar with ETC. No need to take a card at all! That small device on the windshield is the electronic tag, which automatically senses and deducts fees when passing through toll stations. Two important reminders: first, keep the card inserted in the device and don't remove it randomly, otherwise it won't be recognized; second, if you encounter a malfunction in the ETC lane, you can reverse and change lanes or switch to a manual lane. Last time at the highway entrance, I saw someone trying to pull out the card to swipe it, which was actually unnecessary—the electronic tag and the card are part of the same system, and moving them apart can cause signal loss. Nowadays, even many parking lots support ETC, making it much more convenient than taking a card, especially when carrying items and not having to free up a hand to grab a card.
Last year, I installed an ETC on my old car, and it's been incredibly convenient. No need to stop at toll booths, let alone take a ticket. The principle is simple: when passing through an ETC lane, the roadside sensor and the OBU device in the car automatically communicate to deduct the toll. It's crucial to ensure the ETC card is firmly inserted in the device—some people mistakenly think they need to insert and remove it, which can lead to poor contact. Last time, a driver in the next lane yanked out the card in front of the toll booth, causing the system to fail to recognize it and forcing them to reverse, causing unnecessary delay. Nowadays, ETC can also be linked to payment platforms, and the billing details are clear.
