How many days can ETC be in arrears?
2 Answers
ETC can be in arrears for 30 days. According to the regulations issued by the Ministry of Transport, commercial banks and non-banking institutions are allowed to submit the information of users who have not paid their dues for more than 30 days from the transaction date to the credit information database, provided they have obtained authorization from the information subject and fulfilled the obligation of notification. The retention period of the information shall be executed in accordance with relevant regulations. If the arrears are not settled within 30 days, the information will be automatically reported to the credit bureau. As an intelligent toll collection system, ETC automatically deducts fees. If there is a case of arrears, it is necessary to check whether the credit card bound to the ETC has incurred annual fees due to prolonged inactivity, leading to the arrears. If the ETC system itself malfunctions, resulting in incorrect deductions, it is necessary to promptly file a complaint with the highway management department.
As a frequent ETC user and seasoned driver with years of experience, I’ve learned that ETC arrears should never be taken lightly. Typically, for ETC accounts linked to a bank card, there’s a grace period of 3 to 5 days after a failed payment—meaning a few days of overdue balance won’t cause major issues. The system will send SMS reminders urging you to top up and settle the dues. However, if the arrears persist beyond the grace period, say for over 7 days, trouble arises: you risk being blacklisted on expressways, which could tarnish your personal credit record and potentially hinder future loans for cars or homes. I once narrowly avoided this myself when my account ran low; thankfully, I topped up in time via my mobile banking app. A word to the wise: make it a habit to regularly check your ETC balance, set up payment alerts, or enable auto-debit to avoid disruptions during highway travel. Safety first!
