Is ETC Installation Mandatory for Vehicle Inspection?

[StHazel]

Annual vehicle inspection can be conducted without ETC as it is not mandatory. ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) is merely a fast-pass payment method at highway toll stations designed to alleviate pressure on manual toll collection. According to State Council regulations, vehicles without ETC in 2020 would not enjoy toll discounts, and in the future, only one manual lane will remain at highway toll stations where drivers must pay tolls manually. Therefore, ETC has no direct correlation with vehicle inspection. Vehicle Inspection Items: Exterior Inspection: Bring the exterior inspection form to the designated station. First, verify relevant documents and check if the compulsory third-party insurance is valid. After document verification, the exterior inspection begins, focusing on checking lights for damage, ensuring the vehicle's appearance matches the original, verifying no modifications to the suspension, and inspecting the sunroof, tires, etc. Emission Testing: Queue up and wait for testing. Before testing, staff will conduct a preliminary check, mainly verifying if the engine number matches the vehicle registration certificate, briefly inspecting the exterior and condition, and then filling out the emission test form. During testing, an inspector drives the vehicle onto the testing line. New vehicles usually pass easily, and upon receiving a qualified emission test result, you can proceed to the payment window to collect the emission compliance label. If the vehicle fails, it must be adjusted at a repair shop and retested, requiring another testing fee. On-Line Testing: If the exterior inspection passes, queue up for on-line testing. The testing line checks brakes, headlights (high beam), chassis, etc., taking about 5-10 minutes. After completion, you receive a computer-printed form indicating pass ("0") or fail ("X") for items like brakes, lights, and horn. Typically, lights and brakes may fail, but testing centers have adjustment stations for these. Brake adjustments require retesting, while light adjustments only need a stamp after correction. Traffic Violation Check: At the query window, obtain and fill out the "Motor Vehicle Regular Inspection Registration Form" using your vehicle registration certificate. Submit the form to staff to check for violations. If no violations exist, the form will be stamped "Verified, Eligible for Inspection." If violations are found, handle them promptly using the violation notice. ETC Deduction Principle: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Communication between the vehicle's onboard electronic tag (on the windshield) and the toll station's microwave antenna enables automatic toll deduction via computer-bank backend settlement, eliminating the need to stop at toll booths. This operates on a "pass first, deduct later" principle. Benefits of ETC Installation: Time-Saving: Eliminates waiting in queues. Green & Eco-Friendly: Reduces noise and emissions by avoiding idling at toll stations. Cost & Wear Reduction: Minimizes frequent starts and stops, lowering fuel consumption and wear. Efficiency Boost: ETC lanes can process vehicles 2-3 times faster than manual lanes, making ETC more advanced and efficient. Compared to license plate payment, ETC is more mature and advantageous. Policy Support: The State Council's "13th Five-Year Plan for Modern Integrated Transport System Development" aims for "50% ETC usage rate among road passenger vehicles by 2020" and promotes interoperability of transport cards in key city clusters. Future Potential: Beyond improving ETC convenience and passenger vehicle adoption, future plans include expanding ETC to trucks and integrating ETC with vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-infrastructure coordination for smart transport, offering comprehensive travel services and broader application scenarios.