How to Transfer ETC from an Old Car to a New One?
3 Answers
Steps to transfer ETC from an old car to a new one: 1. The car owner should bring their vehicle license and ID card, fill out a change form. There is a button on the back of the ETC device; pressing it will pop out the device, rendering it inactive. 2. The owner needs to go to the original purchase location for re-matching and visit an ETC service point to update the data. Whether changing cars or selling the old one, cancellation is required first, so bring the ID card and vehicle license. 3. Take the ETC card and OBU device to an ETC customer service center for removal. With the removal receipt issued by the ETC center, cancel the contract at the bank where it was originally signed. 4. The old license plate must be under the owner's name and used for at least three years. First, complete the vehicle transfer and cancellation procedures for the old car, then proceed with the external inspection and registration for the new car. 5. Simultaneously, apply to use the original vehicle license plate and submit the request to the handling officer. The name and ID number on the new car's invoice must match those of the old car.
I recently got a new car and transferred the old car's ETC system over—it was super convenient! The whole process started with the official ETC app, where I selected the vehicle change function and uploaded photos of the new car's registration and my ID. The system reviewed it in just a few minutes, and I received a message to pick up the new tag at a nearby service point. There, the staff helped remove the old tag and install it on the new car's windshield—the whole thing took less than two hours. The key is to prepare the old and new license plate info in advance to save time. When driving on the highway with the new car, the ETC still recognized it automatically, and toll payment was just as hassle-free as before. I also found that keeping the original account saved me the trouble of reactivating the card and avoided unnecessary extra costs. Overall, it was a great experience—fellow drivers, give it a try!
Having driven for many years, I think transferring an ETC requires careful attention to avoid mistakes. First, contact the institution where you applied for the ETC, such as a bank or highway company, and provide proof of the old vehicle and new license plate number. They usually arrange for you to visit a service point to remove the old device and install the new one. Bring your ID card and the original vehicle registration certificate of the new car, and ensure the tag isn’t damaged during the staff’s operation. When I helped a friend with this before, someone forgot to unbind the old vehicle, which later caused issues with ETC card deductions. After the process, be sure to test it at a toll station to confirm it reads the card properly. Don’t overlook privacy—ensure the old vehicle’s details are fully processed before transferring. The entire process is free and takes less than half an hour, ensuring peace of mind for highway driving.
