
Due to various reasons, if the ETC card was not swiped when entering the highway, the ETC barrier will not automatically lift when exiting. In this case, the vehicle will be stuck in the ETC toll lane. The toll station staff will proactively approach the driver and ask for the bank card inserted in the ETC device. The toll station staff will also inquire about the entry point of the highway. It is important to provide accurate information and not to falsify the details. The toll station staff will manually deduct the toll fee from the bank card and then return the card to the driver. The ETC barrier will then lift to allow the vehicle to pass.

Last time I encountered this situation, I impulsively drove onto the highway without taking the toll card. When I reached the exit, I had no choice but to drive through. I simply stopped and informed the toll booth staff. They usually check my license plate number in their system since all highway entrances now have cameras that record entry points, allowing them to trace the most likely starting point. The toll might then be calculated from a default entry point, such as the nearest station's base fare, or the longest possible distance, which could be slightly more expensive. But don't worry, it's not a big issue. The staff deal with similar situations daily, so just explain politely and clearly. The important thing is not to attempt reckless maneuvers like reversing or turning around on the highway to retrieve the card—that's extremely dangerous and could cause an accident. Now, I've developed a habit of checking the card slot before entering the highway or setting a reminder. After getting home safely, I review the toll details carefully, and if there are any discrepancies, I can always call the highway customer service to address them.

If your car is equipped with an ETC device, even without taking a manual card, the ETC will automatically capture the entry signal and deduct the fee directly at the exit, saving communication hassle. However, if you don't have ETC, the toll station system will retrieve the entry record based on license plate recognition and calculate a reasonable fee to charge. I recommend car owners check if their ETC is functioning properly, and those without one should apply for it early for convenience and to reduce the risk of omissions. Modern intelligent transportation technology is quite reliable—entry license plate photos are saved, so even if a card is lost, the system can retrieve historical data. Regularly checking highway trips on apps like 'China ETC' service can prevent such issues. But remember, stay calm and queue normally at the exit; technology helps a lot, but keeping calm is the key step.

Don't panic if you forget to take the toll card when entering the highway. Just proceed directly to the exit and queue normally for payment. When you reach the toll booth, park your car calmly and explain the situation to the staff. They will scan your license plate with electronic devices or ask for the name of the entry station, then charge you according to standard rules, such as the starting fare or the maximum distance fee. There's nothing to worry about—the cost might be slightly higher, but safety comes first. I particularly want to remind everyone not to attempt reversing or turning back to the entrance on the highway, as it violates traffic regulations and is dangerous, potentially causing rear-end collisions or fines. Just develop the habit of checking for your card before driving, and you'll easily avoid such minor hassles in the future.

According to the highway toll rules, if you exit without taking a card, you will be charged based on the default entry point, which may be calculated from the farthest possible location, resulting in higher fees than the normal range. When driving to the exit, I directly reported to the staff, who entered my license plate for verification before collecting the fee. This process is transparent and standardized, avoiding disputes. If there are any doubts about the charges, you can later file a complaint or inquire about the entry time point through the highway hotline or official website to prevent overcharging. I recommend everyone follow the procedures, take the card in time to reduce costs, and drive safely without distractions.

I've had this embarrassing experience too. Once, I was drowsy when entering the highway at dawn and forgot to take the toll card. At the exit, I smiled and said to the toll collector, 'Sir, I forgot to take the card.' They just smiled and handled it, charging me the minimum fee directly. I paid a bit more, but it went smoothly. Nowadays, highway is intelligent. License plate recognition at the entrance records the information, and the exit automatically matches the data to calculate the fee, so there's not much to worry about. The key is to relax and not blame yourself—it's just a small matter. Remember to put a small reminder note next to the card slot in the car and develop the habit of checking when starting the car. This way, your future trips will be smoother and worry-free.


