Is it mandatory to install ETC in cars?

[JulietAnn]

It is not mandatory to install ETC. 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 channels. 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 Principles: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through microwave dedicated short-range communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the 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 road and bridge fees, 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 eco-friendly: Green and low-carbon, vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs, decreases the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, and reduces wear and fuel consumption. Improved efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased by 2-3 times or more, 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 set a clear target in the main indicators of comprehensive transportation development during the "13th Five-Year Plan" period: "By 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles will reach 50%." 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 ETC usage for trucks in the future. There will also be exploration of deep integration between the ETC system and smart transportation development directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for car owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC applications.

[SanThomas]

Whether to install an ETC mainly depends on your driving habits. I commute on the highway every day, and having an ETC really saves a lot of time—no need to queue at toll booths, and automatic fee deduction is convenient. However, if you only drive in the city on weekends, there’s no need to install one, as manual lanes are still available. Currently, policies encourage installation but don’t mandate it, and toll stations usually keep one or two manual lanes as backup. In my opinion, if you use the highway at least twice a month, then consider getting an ETC; otherwise, it’ll likely just sit there collecting dust.

[RowanDella]

Actually, installing ETC is not mandatory, and many car owners now have the freedom to choose. Quite a few of my friends haven't installed it, and they find it quite convenient to use manual toll lanes when occasionally returning to their hometowns, with holiday queues taking at most a dozen minutes. The key is to consider your own usage frequency—if you frequently drive long distances on highways, it's still recommended to install one, as ETC lanes offer faster passage and a 5% discount. However, special attention should be paid: if you link it to a credit card, annual fees may apply, making it less cost-effective if unused for several years.

[DelLondyn]

I installed an ETC but only used it once in six months, and now I regret it a bit. Nowadays, parking lots in the city all use QR code payments, and the manual toll lanes on highways are also quite fast. Unless you drive on highways every day, there's really no need to go out of your way to install one. Many people mistakenly think that ETC is mandatory, mainly because they see so many ETC lanes at toll stations. In reality, traffic authorities have never enforced ETC installation—it's entirely a personal choice. However, it is quite convenient when you occasionally encounter an ETC-only parking lot, as the barrier automatically lifts without needing to pull out your phone.

[DiAdaline]

ETC does improve traffic efficiency, but it's not a mandatory device. The government promotes ETC primarily to alleviate highway congestion, as automatic toll deduction is over three times faster than manual processing. However, many toll stations still retain manual lanes, making it convenient for occasional highway users to take a ticket and pay manually. The biggest benefit I've found with ETC installation is actually the 5% discount on highway tolls. For sales professionals like us who frequently travel across provinces, this can save hundreds in fuel costs annually.

[AndrewAnn]

From my experience, ETC is most practical for commuters. Taking the ETC lane during morning and evening rush hours can save seven or eight minutes daily, especially on rainy days when you don't need to roll down the window to pay tolls. However, my retired parents' car doesn't have one installed—they only use highways two or three times a year at most. When installing, remember to compare bank policies—some require freezing a deposit, while others charge an annual fee. A small reminder: ETC devices typically run out of battery in about three years and need replacement at service points, which might feel inconvenient for those who dislike hassle.