Is ETC mandatory to apply for?

[DeAddyson]

It is not mandatory to apply for ETC. Vehicles without ETC can still use highways. According to the regulations of the State Council, starting from 2020, vehicles without ETC will not enjoy toll discounts. In the future, only one manual lane will be retained at highway toll stations, and tolls can only be paid through manual lanes. Additionally, newly installed ETC devices cannot be used on highways immediately; they need to be activated first. During free holiday periods, vehicles with ETC can still use highways, and ETC users passing through ETC lanes will not be charged. ETC Deduction Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the on-board electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, the computer network technology is used to settle accounts with banks in the background. This achieves the purpose of vehicles not needing to stop at toll stations to pay tolls, all based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees later. Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and environmentally friendly: Green and low-carbon, vehicles passing through toll stations without stopping can reduce noise and exhaust emissions, minimizing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs, reduces the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowers wear and fuel consumption, and users can also enjoy a 5% discount on tolls; Improved efficiency: The efficiency of vehicles passing through ETC lanes can theoretically increase 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. More policy support: The State Council clearly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, the interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will be significantly increased." It also explicitly set the goal of "achieving a 50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020" in the main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the "13th Five-Year Plan" period. More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and the ETC usage rate for passenger vehicles, efforts will be made to promote the use of ETC for trucks in the future. The deep integration of the ETC system with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-road coordination, and other smart transportation development directions will be explored to provide car owners with comprehensive travel services. This means more application scenarios will support ETC applications.

[MacNolan]

After driving for so many years, I feel that while ETC isn't legally mandatory, it's practically a must-have in real-world usage. Back when I didn't have ETC, I often got stuck in long queues at highway toll stations, wasting time—holidays were even worse. After getting it, things became so much easier—just drive through to pay, plus you get a 5% discount, which adds up to significant savings over time. Another relevant point is that nowadays, many places prioritize ETC lanes, with fewer and fewer manual lanes available. If you don't have ETC, you'll likely end up stuck in traffic. Installation is also very simple—just visit a bank or service point, and it's done in about ten minutes, linked to your bank card for automatic deductions. My personal advice: if you frequently use highways, whether for commuting or travel, don't hesitate—get it done ASAP! If you rarely drive on highways, occasionally using cash lanes is still an option, but the convenience just doesn't compare.

[XavierRose]

As a tech enthusiast, I recently installed an ETC device, and it's awesome! It's not mandatory, just an additional option for you. The device automatically processes payments via the onboard OBU and card without stopping in queues, and its technical principle is quite smart. Benefits include saving money (with discounts), saving time, and being able to check bills and track trips online. When installing, make sure not to place it on the windshield where it blocks your view—just adjust the position properly. It's related to the future direction of smart transportation, as many toll stations plan to phase out manual lanes, so getting it early avoids falling behind. I recommend frequent highway users to install it—it's convenient, fast, and eco-friendly. If you only use the highway once or twice, skipping it is fine, but the experience is significantly worse.

[DeAmir]

When I first learned to drive, I heard friends discussing whether to get an ETC or not. Actually, it's not mandatory—it's just a toll collection tool for highways, and you can still use the manual lanes if you don't have one. The advantages are quite obvious: once set up, you don’t need to stop on the highway, saving time and hassle by driving straight through the toll gate, plus there’s a small discount. I think it’s good for beginners to get it early to reduce driving stress—new drivers can easily get nervous and make mistakes while queuing. A useful tip is that the setup is convenient; just visit a bank or vehicle service center for a free installation that takes only a few minutes. If you rarely drive on highways, you can wait, but overall, I recommend giving it a try—there’s no downside anyway.