How to Handle ETC After Selling a Car?
2 Answers
After selling a car, if the original license plate number will continue to be used, you need to remove the ETC device and install it in the new car, then reactivate it once. If the license plate number will no longer be used, you need to cancel the original ETC device. How many ETCs can one person apply for: If a person owns only one car, they can only apply for one ETC. If a person owns multiple cars, they can apply for multiple ETCs. ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing area is 8 meters. When encountering a stationary vehicle ahead, to prevent the vehicle in front from having a faulty ETC device or no ETC device at all, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters to avoid automatic sensing and paying for the vehicle ahead. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20km/h. If the vehicle speed is too fast, the vehicle device information cannot be read, which will also result in a failed fee deduction. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag, will cause the electronic tag to fail. It can be sent to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service office for testing. If the loosening or detachment is not caused by human factors, it only needs to be reactivated. When using a debit card to bind the ETC, insufficient balance will also result in a failed fee deduction. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pass through by cash or card. An excessively thick car windshield may cause poor sensing. This is especially important for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after an accident or for those who have modified their front windshields.
Last month, right after I sold my old car, I encountered this issue. The ETC device definitely shouldn’t be left for the new car owner—it must be removed and taken away. Remember to contact the issuing bank to complete the cancellation procedures; otherwise, if the next owner uses it on the highway, the charges will still be deducted from your account. If you’re getting a new car, you can continue using this device, but you’ll need to visit an ETC service center to reactivate and rebind it to the new license plate. A friend of mine learned this the hard way—they forgot to handle the ETC when selling their car and ended up receiving a highway toll bill of over 1,000 yuan three months later. Now, I always remove the device immediately and take a photo as proof for the buyer. Finally, make sure the bank confirms the account deactivation—the whole process usually takes about two to three days to complete.
