Does the ETC application require the vehicle owner to be present?
3 Answers
Non-owners can also apply for ETC. According to the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) on Highways" issued by the Ministry of Transport, the following documents are required: 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 must be provided). If applying on behalf of someone else, the original valid ID card of the proxy applicant is also required. If applying for ETC through major bank branches, a debit or credit card from the corresponding bank is needed. Some banks only support ETC binding with credit cards, while others may require freezing a certain amount as a deposit when binding with a debit card. ETC Billing Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the on-board 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 the bank, the system achieves the goal of allowing vehicles to pay tolls without stopping at the toll booth. All of this operates on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line. Green and eco-friendly: Promotes low-carbon travel by reducing noise and exhaust emissions since vehicles do not need to stop at toll stations. Reduces wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent starts and stops, thereby reducing vehicle wear and fuel consumption. Improves efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can improve traffic flow efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC systems faster and more technologically advanced. 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 smart cards in key city clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." The plan also sets a target of "achieving a 50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020" in the main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the 13th Five-Year period. More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, the future will also promote ETC usage for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with smart transportation directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC. ETC Usage Notes: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. If the vehicle in front stops, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters to prevent automatic sensing and payment for the vehicle in front, especially if it has a faulty or no ETC device. The recognized speed for ETC lane passage is 20 km/h. Driving too fast may prevent the system from reading the vehicle's device information, leading to billing failure. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or if the ETC electronic tag falls off or becomes loose, may cause the tag to malfunction. In such cases, the device can be taken to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service office for inspection. If the issue is not due to human interference, reactivation may suffice. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance may cause billing failure. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pay with cash or card. Thick windshields may cause poor sensing, especially for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or modified front windshields.
I often help friends handle various vehicle procedures, and ETC application doesn't require the vehicle owner to be present in person. Just bring the original ID card of the vehicle owner, the vehicle registration certificate, and prepare your own ID card. Most banks support proxy services. Last time I did it at Agricultural Bank of China, just filling out a power of attorney was enough to complete the whole process of installing the OBU device, which was super fast. Don't forget to make an appointment in advance to avoid queues. It saves time and effort when passing through highway toll gates, with automatic deduction being so convenient. It's an essential service for upgrading to safe driving. Now with higher ETC coverage and more relaxed policies, proxy handling has become easier. It's recommended to go through official channels to prevent errors, save valuable time, and enjoy a smart travel life.
As a busy office worker, I just completed the ETC application without the car owner needing to be present. Simply bring copies of the owner's ID card, vehicle license, and vehicle information documents to China Construction Bank, and it was done within half an hour. The staff helped install the device with a smooth and efficient process. Automatic toll deduction on highways saves hassle and money while reducing congestion. If you're usually busy, just find time to apply when you can. Filling out a power of attorney adds extra security and greatly enhances the driving experience.
