How to Check If Your Vehicle Has an ETC Account?
2 Answers
Vehicle owners can bring their ID card, vehicle license, and other relevant documents to an ETC service outlet and consult the staff to check whether their vehicle has an ETC account. More related information is as follows: 1. Canceling ETC: If the previous owner is from the same province, canceling the ETC can be completed in about a week. If the ETC was processed in another province, since each province's ETC operates independently, the local institution will need to contact the relevant provincial authority, making the process more time-consuming, typically around 45 days. If the new owner and the previous owner used the same bank for their ETC, the bank also has the authority to cancel the previous owner's information. Different banks cannot view or modify each other's user data. 2. Inadequate service: Such loopholes exist because departments like the vehicle management office have not perfected their services. When processing ETC, banks claim they lack the authority to cancel the previous owner's information, and the ETC department requires cumbersome procedures. New owners end up paying for the previous owner's negligence without reason, which reflects an unhealthy service model. Cooperation between relevant departments and banks should be strengthened, with mutual opening of some permissions, so consumers are not passed around like a ball.
I drive quite often, and checking if my car has ETC is pretty straightforward. First, look for a small black box attached to the inside of the windshield—that's the ETC OBU device. If you don't see one, it might not be installed yet. Alternatively, try to recall whether you've applied for an ETC card through a bank, as many banks offer installation services when issuing the card. Last time, I forgot about this and ended up stuck at a toll booth on the highway, waiting in a half-hour-long queue. After installing ETC, the automatic fee deduction saves time and even offers a 5% discount. Nowadays, smartphones make it even easier—just download the official ETC app, link your license plate, and check the status or apply online with a single tap. If you haven't set it up yet, I recommend visiting a bank or ETC service center soon. The process usually takes no more than 15 minutes and is often free. Also, check the device regularly to avoid battery failure, which could cause issues during travel. Since installing ETC, I've found highway trips much more convenient and smoother.
