How many ETCs can one person apply for?
2 Answers
One person can apply for multiple ETCs. According to the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application Service of Electronic Toll Collection on Highways" issued by the Ministry of Transport, the application for ETC is related to the vehicle's driving license. If you own multiple vehicles, you can use different driving licenses to apply for ETC. Documents required for ETC application: You will need the original valid ID card of the vehicle owner, the original and a copy of the vehicle's driving license (the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp). If applying on behalf of someone else, you will also need the original valid ID card of the agent. If applying through major bank branches, you will need to prepare a debit or credit card from the corresponding bank. Some banks only support ETC binding with credit cards, while others may require freezing a certain amount as a deposit when binding ETC with a debit card. ETC deduction principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the 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 vehicle can pay tolls without stopping at the toll station. 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: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by allowing vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping; Cost-saving: Reduces wear and tear and fuel consumption by minimizing frequent starts and stops, and users can enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase vehicle passing efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC more updated, faster, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council clearly 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 be significantly increased." It also set a target in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators: "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 and increasing the ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote ETC usage for trucks and explore the deep integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, and other smart transportation development directions, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC. ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. If the vehicle in front stops, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters to prevent automatic sensing and payment for the vehicle in front, in case its ETC device is faulty or nonexistent. The recognized speed for ETC lane passage is 20 km/h. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle's device information cannot be read, leading to failed deductions. 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 taken to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service office for inspection. If the detachment or loosening is not due to human factors, reactivation is sufficient. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance will also cause deduction 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. This is especially important for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or those with modified front windshields.
I've been driving for over 20 years and know it's completely feasible for one person to apply for multiple ETC cards, as long as each card is separately bound to different vehicles. For example, my family has three cars, each with its own ETC card applied through the bank app. Just input the vehicle information and license plate number, and once successfully bound, you're all set to drive on the highway. Remember, each license plate can only correspond to one ETC device to avoid duplicate charging confusion. It's advisable to apply for the number of cards based on the actual number of vehicles to avoid wasting resources. The application process is simple: fill out the form online or at a branch, confirm, and once the card is delivered, activate the device and attach it to the front windshield. Regularly check the card status to ensure normal sensing, making your trips time-saving, effortless, and safe.