Is the highway free during holidays without ETC?
3 Answers
During legally designated free holidays, passing through highway toll stations is free for all vehicles, regardless of whether they have ETC or not. How ETC works: Through dedicated short-range communication between the onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, the system uses computer networking technology to process backend settlements with banks. This allows vehicles to pass through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping while still paying the required fees. 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 need to stop at toll stations; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent starts and stops, lowering vehicle wear and fuel consumption. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees; Improved efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can process vehicles 2-3 times faster, making traditional ETC more advanced, faster, and higher-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous.
I've been driving for over ten years, and the highway toll-free policy during holidays is always the happiest thing for me. This policy applies to all small passenger vehicles, whether they have ETC or not. Owners without ETC don’t need to worry—just take the manual lane, get a pass card at the entrance, and return it at the exit to enjoy completely free passage, just as simple as usual. Of course, ETC is more convenient since it saves time by avoiding queues, but that doesn’t mean the free policy excludes non-ETC vehicles. I once drove a friend’s car without ETC on a trip, and the entire journey was free. The key is to plan your time well, avoid peak hours, and ensure a smooth trip. In short, this benefit covers everyone, so travel with peace of mind.
As a new driver, I did a lot of research after buying a car and found that toll-free highways during holidays don't require ETC as a prerequisite. Small passenger vehicles can enjoy free highway access during holidays like Spring Festival and National Day. Without ETC, you can simply use the manual lanes—take a card when entering and return it when exiting, without spending a penny. ETC is indeed convenient, offering faster entry and exit to avoid traffic jams, but it's not mandatory. My experience is that all lanes are open during free periods—just drive your car. Installing ETC can get you discounts during regular times, but don’t stress if you don’t have it; the policy is designed to make driving easier. Just remember to check the free dates so you don’t miss out on the benefits.
