How to Identify Temporary License Plates at Highway Toll Stations?
3 Answers
Temporary license plate identification method at highway toll stations: 1. Affix the temporary license plates as required, one on the lower left or right corner of the front windshield, and the other on the lower left corner of the rear windshield inside the vehicle; 2. When entering the highway toll station, use the manual lane where staff will issue a toll card. Similarly, when exiting the highway, use the manual lane, hand the card to the staff, complete the payment, and then exit. Whether at a manual card collection window or using a self-service card dispenser, always ensure the gear is in neutral and the handbrake is engaged. Many drivers forget to shift to neutral when taking the card, and with a slight press on the accelerator, the vehicle may lurch forward, potentially hitting the barrier arm, which is highly dangerous.
I recently drove through a highway toll station with temporary license plates, which was quite an interesting experience. At the manual lane entrance, the toll collector would personally lean out to carefully read the printed numbers on the plate and manually enter them into the computer system. Since temporary plates are paper-based and lack an electronic chip, they can't use the ETC fast lane and must queue for manual processing. The recognition process relies on human eyes, and if the plate is blurred by dust or rain, the toll collector might ask you to present your ID and vehicle purchase documents for verification. The entire process could take a few minutes, so I recommend cleaning the temporary plate before traveling to avoid obscured numbers. Once the system records the plate, it automatically matches the owner's information to prevent illegal use. Temporary plates have a short validity period, so it's best to apply for permanent plates immediately after passing the toll station to avoid further hassles. Also, be aware of minor policy differences between provinces—some areas have started piloting QR code scanning for temporary plates.
At highway toll stations, the recognition of temporary license plates relies entirely on toll collectors manually completing the process. Upon seeing the plate, they note down the number and input it into the toll terminal system. The system connects to a database to verify the plate's validity, preventing fraudulent use. Temporary plates lack integrated electronic tags, so entering an ETC lane will trigger an alarm and fail, necessitating a switch to a manual lane. Cameras may also take photos for archival purposes to assist verification. Recognition accuracy depends on the clarity of the license plate; users are advised to ensure the paper is undamaged and the numbers are clearly legible. On windy or rainy days, it's best to protect the temporary plate from damage in advance. After recognition, fees are automatically calculated and recorded, with a very low error rate. Carrying extra identification documents can make the process smoother. Future improvements may introduce digital scanning to enhance efficiency.
