Is it mandatory to cancel ETC?
2 Answers
It is not mandatory to cancel, but it is recommended that car owners cancel it if they no longer use it. ETC is an electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road toll system. It is a road toll method specifically designed for toll roads, commonly seen on highways, bridges or tunnels with toll policies, and certain sections of urban centers to alleviate traffic congestion. The impact of not canceling: According to the regulations of various banks and ETC management departments, a vehicle can only be bound to one ETC. Therefore, if the original ETC is not canceled, a new ETC cannot be processed. If the vehicle is sold to someone else without canceling the ETC and the device remains in the vehicle, the toll station will recognize the ETC device. As long as the original owner's bank card still has a balance, the toll fees will continue to be deducted from the original owner's bank card. The principle of ETC fee deduction: There will be one or more ETC lanes on the highway. Through the dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane of the toll station, the computer network technology is used to settle accounts with the bank in the background, achieving the purpose of vehicles not needing to stop at toll stations to pay road and bridge fees. All of this is based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees later. The benefits of installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and environmentally friendly: Low-carbon, vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and 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 toll fees; Improved efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC updates 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 urban clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will be significantly increased." It also clearly stated in the main indicators of the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development that "by 2020, the ETC usage rate of road passenger vehicles will reach 50%." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage and the usage rate of ETC passenger vehicles, the future will also promote the use of ETC for trucks and explore the deep integration of the ETC system with the development directions of smart transportation such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination, providing car owners with comprehensive travel services. This means that more application scenarios will support ETC applications.
When I first installed the ETC, I didn't think it was urgent to cancel it. But after two years of use, I found that service fees were deducted from my idle account. Now I understand that although ETC doesn't require mandatory cancellation, it's best to apply for cancellation through the bank app or highway service points if you don't drive for a long time or change vehicles, to avoid additional fees or affecting your credit record. Like last time, I was almost wrongly charged because I didn't cancel the ETC for my old car after selling it, and the new owner used my information, which made the process troublesome. The cancellation process is actually super simple, taking only a few minutes with all the documents ready. Plus, the ETC device can be kept as a backup and reactivated when needed, which is quite convenient.