Does the ETC installation require the vehicle owner to be present?
4 Answers
ETC can be installed even if the applicant is not the vehicle owner. 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 (showing the most recent annual inspection stamp page). If applying on behalf of someone else, the original valid ID card of the proxy applicant is also needed. For ETC applications processed at major bank branches, a debit or credit card from the respective bank is required. Some banks only support ETC binding with credit cards, while others may require freezing a portion of the debit card balance as a deposit when binding with a debit card. ETC Deduction Principles: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Using 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 toll stations, coupled with computer network technology for backend bank settlement, vehicles can pass through toll stations without stopping to pay tolls. This process 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 allowing vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping, contributing to lower pollution. Cost and wear reduction: Minimizes vehicle wear and fuel consumption by reducing the frequency of starts and stops. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees. Efficiency improvement: ETC lanes can theoretically increase vehicle throughput by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC systems faster and more advanced. 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 Integrated Transportation System" explicitly states the goal of "achieving interoperability of transportation smart cards in key city clusters and significantly increasing the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC by 2020." It also sets a target of "50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020" in the main indicators for comprehensive transportation development during the 13th Five-Year Plan. Future possibilities: Beyond improving the convenience of ETC installation and increasing its usage rate among passenger vehicles, future efforts will promote ETC adoption for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with smart transportation developments like vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, indicating more application scenarios supporting ETC. ETC Usage Notes: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. To avoid paying for the vehicle ahead in case its ETC device is faulty or absent, maintain a distance of over 10 meters from the preceding vehicle. The ETC lane recognition speed limit is 20 km/h. Exceeding this speed may prevent the system from reading the vehicle's device information, leading to failed deductions. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or if the ETC electronic tag becomes loose or detached, will deactivate the tag. It can be tested at the bank where the ETC card was issued or at highway service centers. Non-deliberate loosening or detachment only requires reactivation. Insufficient balance on a debit card linked to ETC may cause deduction failures. Follow on-site staff guidance to use manual MTC lanes for cash or card payments. Thick or modified windshields, especially those replaced after accidents, may cause poor ETC signal reception.
From my years of experience in auto repair, the car owner doesn't necessarily have to personally install the ETC device. Many customers entrust friends or family to handle it. For proxy processing, you'll need to bring a copy of the car owner's ID card, the original vehicle license, and bank card information, plus the original ID of the proxy person. It's best to prepare a power of attorney to avoid future issues. After installing the ETC device, it can significantly save highway transit time and reduce waiting in queues. After installation, it's recommended to immediately test its sensitivity when entering and exiting highways to prevent signal interference affecting usage. I've also seen some agency services offering on-site installation, which is both convenient and safe. In short, it can be done without the owner being present, but choosing a trustworthy proxy channel is crucial.
When I first bought my car last year, I was extremely busy and had no time to go to the bank to install the ETC device. So, I asked my dad to handle it for me. He brought copies of both his and my ID cards, the vehicle license, and a bank card. The service point completed the process in just 20 minutes without any long queues. Now, driving on the highway is much more convenient with automatic deductions saving the hassle of cash payments, and there are even discounts on toll fees, making it very cost-effective. It's quite common to delegate such tasks to family members, as the procedures are simple and secure. After installation, it's important to regularly check the device for any looseness or battery issues, and keeping the front windshield clean ensures more accurate recognition. While using a proxy is a time-saving solution, it's essential to have all the necessary documents ready to prevent any unexpected issues.
From an experienced driver's perspective, personal presence for ETC installation is not absolutely mandatory but highly recommended. When it involves binding bank cards and sensitive vehicle information, handling it yourself is safer to avoid potential errors or data leaks by others. The process is straightforward—just bring all required documents and visit the designated service point for delegation. Once installed, ETC enhances driving efficiency, reduces congestion, and ensures both safety and cost-effectiveness.
