How to Check if a Vehicle Has ETC Installed?
3 Answers
Owners can bring their ID card, vehicle license, and other documents to an ETC service outlet and consult the staff to find out whether their vehicle has ETC registered. Relevant information is as follows: 1. Cancellation: If the vehicle has already been registered with ETC, the previous owner needs to go to the bank where the ETC was originally processed to cancel it. 2. Introduction: ETC is the English abbreviation for Electronic Toll Collection system. It allows vehicles to pass through toll stations without stopping, using onboard equipment for vehicle identification, information writing, and automatic deduction of corresponding funds from a pre-bound IC card or bank account. It is an electronic toll collection system for roads, bridges, and tunnels that is being actively developed and promoted internationally.
Last time I helped my neighbor Uncle Wang check his ETC, here's what I did: I directly peered at the small black box installed near the interior rearview mirror by pressing against the windshield. Some are so discreetly placed that you need a flashlight to spot them. If that doesn't work, start the engine and listen for a beep – ETC devices usually emit a 'beep' sound and flash a green light when active. Oh, and I recently discovered a lesser-known trick: send a photo of the vehicle registration to the WeChat official account 'ETC Assistant', which can automatically detect whether the device is registered or not, even digging up previously cancelled records. If still unsure, just test it by driving into the ETC lane at a toll station – if the barrier lifts, that's your confirmation. But don't actually go through! Just make a U-turn and come back.
I remember once borrowing a friend's car for a business trip and wanting to confirm the ETC before getting on the highway. First, I rummaged through the glove compartment looking for the ETC card, but it might have been put away. Then I checked the upper left corner of the windshield—there was a credit card-sized metal piece which was the ETC antenna, with a textured feel when touched. If the windshield had been replaced, it might have been removed, which would be the most troublesome situation. Later, I had a sudden idea to log into mobile banking, found the ETC service under 'Life Payments', and entered the license plate number to retrieve the contract information. Alipay can also check it: search for 'ETC Owner' in city services, bind the license plate, and instantly view the status. If it's really too bothersome, just drive to the bank's ETC counter, where the clerk can scan with a barcode gun against the car window for immediate results.
