Do I Need to Turn on Bluetooth for ETC on Highways?
3 Answers
When using ETC on highways, there is no need to turn on the car's Bluetooth or mobile phone Bluetooth. The ETC junction box installed in our vehicles has a short-range communication response system inside, which automatically communicates with sensors on the road, and our vehicles and mobile phones do not need to turn on Bluetooth. ETC is currently provided by 8 domestic manufacturers, and some ETC terminals can only be installed via mobile Bluetooth during installation, but Bluetooth does not need to be turned on during use. ETC is the abbreviation for Electronic-Toll-Collection, meaning electronic toll collection system. To apply for ETC, you need to provide the original and photocopy of the vehicle owner's valid ID card and vehicle registration certificate. If the application is not made by the owner, the agent's valid ID card is also required. The photocopy of the vehicle registration certificate should include the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp; a bank card for deducting highway tolls; the applicant must be between 18 and 60 years old; the vehicle must be registered under the applicant's name. Documents required for company vehicles: Introduction letter from the vehicle owner (with official seal); photocopy of the organization code certificate or business license (with official seal); original ID card of the agent; original vehicle registration certificate; the vehicle for which ETC is to be applied. How ETC works: The on-board electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield communicates with the microwave antenna in the ETC lane of the toll station, and uses computer networking technology to settle accounts with the bank in the background, allowing the vehicle to pay highway or bridge tolls without stopping when passing through highway or bridge toll stations. Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: eliminates the hassle of queuing and waiting; Green and environmentally friendly: green and low-carbon, vehicles passing through toll stations without stopping can reduce noise and exhaust emissions and pollution; Cost-saving: reduces costs, decreases the frequency of vehicle starts and stops, reduces wear and fuel consumption, and users can enjoy toll discounts; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase traffic efficiency by 2-3 times or more, making traditional ETC updates faster and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous.
When I first started driving on the highway, I also wondered about this issue. The ETC device automatically charges at toll stations through radio frequency technology and does not require turning on the phone's Bluetooth. Bluetooth is mainly used to activate the device, check the balance, or upload data via the mobile app. When actually driving through the toll gate, the built-in antenna of the device and the roadside system will connect wirelessly—as long as the device is properly installed, it will work. It's recommended for beginners to use Bluetooth to pair the app when installing the ETC card for easy initial setup. During regular use, turning off Bluetooth doesn't matter at all; it won't affect the efficiency of highway tolling—in fact, it simplifies the operation and saves time. Remember to regularly check the device's battery to prevent it from running out of power and affecting recognition.
Having driven for over a decade, ETC is incredibly convenient. It allows direct passage through toll gates on highways, with the device automatically communicating with antennas—no manual intervention needed. As for the Bluetooth function? It's only required during initial setup or when checking app data, such as updating balances or error codes. Even with your phone's Bluetooth off while driving, toll collection still works. However, from my experience, keeping Bluetooth on daily enables software updates, enhancing device reliability. If issues arise, Bluetooth diagnostics can speed up troubleshooting. Overall, just ensure your ETC card is properly inserted before hitting the highway, and handle any other operations when parked—it's that simple.
