Is ETC Mandatory to Install?

[JulietteLynn]

It is not mandatory but encouraged for vehicle owners to install ETC. According to the State Council's regulations, vehicles without ETC after 2020 will not enjoy toll discounts, and in the future, only one manual lane will remain at highway toll stations, requiring manual fee payment. Additionally, newly installed ETC devices cannot be used on highways immediately; activation is required before normal use. During free holiday periods, ETC users can still use highways without being charged when passing through ETC lanes. The principle of ETC charging: Highways will have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, combined with computer networking technology for backend bank settlement, vehicles can pass toll stations without stopping to pay bridge and road fees. This is all based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees later. Benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues; Green and eco-friendly: Promotes low-carbon travel by reducing noise and exhaust emissions since vehicles don't stop at toll stations; Reduced wear: Saves costs by decreasing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase passing efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC 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, intercity transportation smart cards should be basically interoperable in key city clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC should significantly increase." It also set a target in the main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the "13th Five-Year Plan" to "achieve a 50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020." More future possibilities: Besides continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, future efforts will promote ETC use for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, and other smart transportation developments. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC usage.

[DelilahLynn]

This question is quite common. ETC is an electronic toll collection system, and it's not mandatory, but it's highly recommended. If you frequently use highways, having ETC saves a lot of time, especially during peak hours when toll booths have long queues—just a quick scan and you're through. Personally, I saved 30% on toll fees after installing it, and the national discounts are significant, leading to long-term fuel and cost savings. Additionally, without ETC, you have to stop and pay with cash or scan a QR code each time, which can distract from driving. However, if you only occasionally drive on highways, you can skip it and pay manually without issues. But overall, with highways becoming smarter, ETC offers greater safety and convenience. Installation is simple—just get a free device from a bank or ETC service point, but be careful not to block the windshield position.

[DelJaxon]

Installing ETC is not mandatory, but you should consider convenience and cost. I drive frequently and found that without ETC, I have to deal with toll booths, wasting fuel and increasing exhaust pollution every time I stop and start. After installation, highway tolls get a 5% discount, saving dozens of yuan on a single long-distance trip. In the long run, it's cost-effective and eco-friendly. In terms of safety, ETC reduces the risk of sudden braking and avoids rear-end collisions. If you live in a big city with many highway toll gates, installing ETC is definitely worthwhile. New drivers should especially consider it to avoid distracted operation. If you rarely drive on highways, you can skip it, but it's recommended to check the device periodically to prevent aging. Don’t worry about installation difficulty—it takes just minutes at an authorized service center.

[VonOwen]

From a safety perspective, installing an ETC is not mandatory but highly recommended. As someone who has been driving for years, I know that manually paying highway tolls can make novice drivers nervous and lead to accidents. ETC automatic toll deduction is hassle-free and convenient. It improves traffic efficiency, ensures smoother vehicle flow, and helps avoid congestion delays. Economically, the accumulated discounts can save a significant amount of money, especially for long-distance drivers. If you choose not to install it, that’s fine, but be sure to maintain a safe distance when switching lanes at toll booths. Based on my personal experience, having an ETC makes driving much more pleasant, and I recommend every car owner consider getting one.