Does ETC have to be handled by the vehicle owner?

[Blakely]

Non-owners can also apply for ETC. According to the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application Service of Electronic Non-stop Toll Collection on Expressways" issued by the Ministry of Transport, the original valid ID card of the vehicle owner, the original and a copy of the vehicle registration certificate (the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp) are required. For proxy applications, the original valid ID card of the proxy is also needed. If applying for ETC through major bank branches, a corresponding bank debit or credit card must be prepared. Some banks only support ETC binding with credit cards, while others may require freezing a portion of the amount as a deposit when binding with debit cards. Documents required for company vehicles: Introduction letter from the vehicle owner (with official seal); Copy of the organization code certificate or business license (with official seal); Original ID card of the proxy; Original vehicle registration certificate; Vehicle for which ETC is to be applied. ETC billing principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on the expressway. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with the bank, the purpose of paying tolls without stopping at toll stations is achieved. All 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 line; Green and eco-friendly: Low-carbon, as vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Cost-saving: Reduces wear and fuel consumption by decreasing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes; Improved efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can increase vehicle passing efficiency 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 explicitly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, the interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also set a target in the main indicators of the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development: "By 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles should reach 50%." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, the future will also promote the use of ETC for trucks and explore deep integration of ETC systems with smart transportation directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC applications. ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. When encountering a stationary vehicle ahead, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters to prevent automatic fee deduction for the vehicle in front due to ETC device failure or absence. The recognized speed for ETC lane passage is 20 km/h. Excessive speed may prevent reading of vehicle device information and lead to billing failure. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag, will render the tag invalid. It can be sent to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service office for inspection. Non-deliberate loosening or detachment only requires reactivation. Insufficient balance when using a debit card bound to ETC may cause billing failure. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use manual MTC lanes for cash or card payments. Excessive windshield thickness may cause poor sensing, especially for vehicles that have had windshield replacements after accidents or modifications to the front windshield.