How to Check if ETC is Activated?
2 Answers
Methods to check if ETC is activated: 1. Open WeChat, go to City Services, find Vehicle Services, click on ETC to view; 2. Bring the vehicle owner's driving license, driver's license, and ID card to the service outlet to inquire about ETC information. ETC is an Electronic Toll Collection system, which is an automatic toll collection system for highways or bridges. It uses a dedicated short-range 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. Through computer networking technology, it processes background settlements with banks, allowing vehicles to pay highway or bridge tolls without stopping when passing through toll stations.
After buying a car, if you want to check whether ETC is activated, the easiest way is to look for that small box-like device on the windshield, usually on the driver's side—if it's not there, it might not be activated. Then, take out your phone, open your bank app or Alipay/WeChat mini-program, log in, search for ETC services, and check the status—if it shows "activated," then it's set up. You can also directly try the ETC lane at a highway toll station; if it recognizes and lets you pass, then you're good to go. Last time I checked, I also found that you need to confirm whether the linked bank card is valid to avoid payment failures. Regularly checking the app can also remind you of renewal dates, preventing expiration from disrupting your trips. Making it a habit to check these small details before driving saves money, time, and keeps things efficient.
