How to handle ETC after selling the car?
2 Answers
After selling the car, the ETC can be either transferred or canceled. Here are the specific details: 1. After the vehicle ownership is transferred, the original owner can apply to cancel the ETC. Currently, there are two main ways to cancel ETC: Phone cancellation: Before cancellation, ensure the ETC card is unbound and there are no outstanding fees on the bank card. Call the corresponding customer service number and follow the voice prompts to cancel. Note that some banks do not support phone unbinding; In-person cancellation at a service center: The owner needs to bring their ID card, vehicle license, ETC pass, driver's license, and the bank card bound to the ETC to a bank branch or ETC management department. Fill out a highway non-stop toll ETC agreement, check the cancellation option, and the ETC will be canceled. 2. If the original owner has a new car and wishes to continue using the original ETC device after selling the car, they can go to the original ETC service point to complete the vehicle transfer procedure.
After selling my car, the biggest headache was dealing with the ETC. I immediately contacted the bank's ETC service hotline, and they instructed me to bring my ID card, vehicle license, and the ETC device to a nearby branch to complete the cancellation process. The procedure was quite simple—just filling out a form—and it took no more than twenty minutes in total. I also consulted with the customer service representative, who warned that if I didn't cancel promptly, the new owner might continue to use my ETC account for toll deductions, which would then appear on my bill. That would be a real hassle. I've heard stories of people forgetting about their ETC when selling their cars, only to be wrongly charged and spending months resolving the dispute. My advice is to plan ahead before selling the car or go through the process together with the buyer to ensure a clear handover. After returning the ETC device, it's best to check the binding status to make sure the card isn't being misused—better safe than sorry.
