Is ETC Mandatory for Highway Travel?

2 Answers
Elise
09/04/25 8:04am
It is possible to travel on highways without an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) system. ETC is not mandatory for installation. Starting from January 1, 2020, vehicles without ETC are no longer eligible for various toll reduction benefits and can only pass through toll stations via manual lanes, which might be inconvenient during holidays. ETC is merely a different method of toll collection and does not affect the ability to use highways. There are two toll collection methods on highways: manual toll collection and ETC toll collection. ETC stands for Electronic-Toll-Collection. To apply for ETC, the following documents are required: the original and photocopy of the vehicle owner's valid ID card and vehicle registration certificate. If the application is made by someone other than the owner, the agent's valid ID card is also required. The photocopy of the vehicle registration certificate should include the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp. Additionally, a bank card for deducting highway tolls is needed. Applicants must be between 18 and 60 years old, and the vehicle must be registered under their name. How ETC works: The system uses an onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield to communicate with microwave antennas in the ETC lanes at toll stations. It then settles the toll with the bank through computer networking technology, allowing vehicles to pass through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping. Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the need to queue and wait; Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions as vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping; Cost-saving: Reduces vehicle wear and fuel consumption by minimizing starts and stops, and users can enjoy toll discounts; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase traffic efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC more updated, faster, and more high-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous.
Was this review help?
11
0
Share
XavierMarie
09/17/25 2:05am
A friend asked me about highway ETC, which is quite common. Simply put, it's not mandatory! You can use the manual toll lanes to pay with cash or scan a QR code. However, the government has been heavily promoting ETC lately, and many toll stations only keep ETC-exclusive lanes open, leaving the manual lanes with long queues, which is super annoying. I once got stuck for half an hour during peak hours without ETC and regretted it big time. After installing ETC, it's just a quick beep to pass through, super fast and often with small discounts. Legally, it's not compulsory—it's entirely voluntary. For frequent highway users, I’d recommend considering ETC—it saves time and hassle, and installation is free at banks; just link a card. But if you only hit the highway a few times a year, skipping it is fine—you’ll just spend more time waiting in line. In short, choose based on your needs, no need to overthink it.
Was this review help?
7
0
Share
Expand All
More Forum Discussions

What maintenance is needed for a car at 30,000 kilometers?

At 30,000 kilometers, car maintenance requires changing the engine oil, replacing the oil filter, replacing the air filter, replacing the cabin air filter, cleaning the throttle body, replacing the brake fluid, replacing the coolant, replacing the spark plugs, and changing the brake fluid. Generally, for the first maintenance of a new car, only the engine oil and oil filter need to be replaced, followed by some routine inspections. Changing the engine oil and oil filter is a mandatory task because the oil's shelf life is significantly shortened under the harsh conditions of high temperature and high pressure inside the engine, leading to a substantial decrease in performance. Over time, the oil can no longer protect the engine effectively. The oil filter is used to prevent impurities from mixing with the oil, which can cause oxidation, leading to the formation of sludge and clogging the oil passages.
8
3
Share

What is the principle of foam fire extinguishers in extinguishing fires?

Foam fire extinguishers primarily work on the principles of cooling and suffocation. They form a continuous foam layer on the surface of the burning material, cooling it through the foam itself and the released mixed liquid, while also isolating the burning material from oxygen via the foam layer's coverage, thereby achieving fire suppression. Foam fire extinguishers are categorized into portable foam fire extinguishers, cart-type foam fire extinguishers, and air foam fire extinguishers. They should be stored in a dry, cool, well-ventilated, and easily accessible location, away from high temperatures or areas prone to direct sunlight to prevent the decomposition of carbonates and loss of effectiveness. In winter, anti-freezing measures should be taken to prevent freezing, and regular dust removal and nozzle cleaning are necessary to ensure smooth operation.
13
2
Share

How to Turn Off Mazda's Auto Start-Stop?

Method to turn off Mazda's auto start-stop: 1. First, power on the car; 2. Locate the 'istop' button on the vehicle's center console, which represents the auto start-stop function; 3. Press and hold this button until the dashboard light turns yellow, indicating that the auto start-stop system is turned off. Pressing the button again will turn the auto start-stop system back on. Mazda's auto start-stop system employs a combustion-based restart method, which is significantly different from traditional auto start-stop systems. This means that when the vehicle restarts after stalling, the starter motor only plays an auxiliary role, while the main starting force comes from the pre-compressed cylinder before the engine stalls.
3
4
Share

Is the CFMoto 250SR a Single-Cylinder or Twin-Cylinder?

Single-cylinder engine. Here are the relevant details: Single-cylinder engine: This motorcycle is equipped with a 249cc single-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled engine. Most low-end motorcycles use single-cylinder engines due to their lower cost and simpler structure. However, single-cylinder engines are not as smooth in operation as twin-cylinder or four-cylinder engines. Four-stroke engine: Most motorcycles use four-stroke engines. A four-stroke engine operates through four strokes: intake stroke, compression stroke, power stroke, and exhaust stroke.
2
0
Share

What is the validity period of a motorcycle driving license?

The validity period of a Motorcycle Driving License is long-term, but it must be inspected according to the specified intervals. Below are the relevant details: Inspection periods for various vehicle types: Passenger vehicles for commercial use must be inspected once a year within 5 years, and once every 6 months after 5 years; Trucks and large or medium-sized non-commercial passenger vehicles must be inspected once a year within 10 years, and once every 6 months after 10 years; Small and micro non-commercial passenger vehicles must be inspected once every 2 years within 6 years, once a year after 6 years, and once every 6 months after 15 years; Motorcycles must be inspected once every 2 years within 4 years, and once a year after 4 years; Tractors and other motor vehicles must be inspected once a year. Expired driving license: If a motorcycle driving license is not inspected for three years after expiration, it will be revoked.
19
1
Share

Can Regular Quotas Be Used to Purchase New Energy Vehicles?

Yes. Units or individuals holding regular passenger car quotas can purchase and register new energy passenger cars. Here are the relevant details: Regulations: According to the "Beijing Municipal Measures for the Promotion and Application of New Energy Commercial Vehicles," new energy commercial vehicles that meet the city's technical, safety, and after-sales service requirements and complete the filing process can apply for municipal financial subsidies after obtaining local vehicle registration plates and central subsidy funds. Definition: Beijing encourages the purchase and use of new energy vehicles, with relevant financial subsidy policies to be separately formulated in accordance with the "Notice on Adjusting and Improving Financial Subsidy Policies for the Promotion and Application of New Energy Vehicles." Additionally, new energy vehicles are defined as pure electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles legally permitted for sale in China. This means plug-in hybrid vehicles are still not classified as new energy vehicles in Beijing.
7
3
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.