Must the ETC be registered under the vehicle owner's name?

[VonZoe]

ETC can also be applied for by non-owners. According to the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application of Electronic Non-stop Toll Collection on Highways" issued by the Ministry of Transport, the original valid ID card of the vehicle owner, the original and a copy of the vehicle registration certificate (the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp) are required. If applying on behalf of someone else, the original valid ID card of the agent is also needed. If applying for ETC through major bank branches, a corresponding debit or credit card from the bank is required. Some banks only support ETC binding with credit cards, while others may require freezing a portion of the amount as a security deposit when binding with a debit card. Online application is also available: Since various banks have their own online services and sections, they have launched online ETC application services to facilitate vehicle owners, allowing applications to be made without leaving home. ETC charging 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 of the toll station, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with banks, the purpose of paying tolls without stopping at the toll station is achieved. All of this is based on the principle of passing first and deducting fees later. Benefits of installing ETC: Save time: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and eco-friendly: Low-carbon, vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions, and minimizing pollution; Reduce wear and tear: Saves costs, decreases the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption; Improve efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased by 2-3 times or more, 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," and explicitly set the goal in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators that "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, the future will also promote the use of ETC for trucks, explore the deep integration of the ETC system with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-road coordination, and other smart transportation development directions, providing vehicle owners with comprehensive travel services. This means that more application scenarios will support ETC applications.

[DiJake]

I've been driving long-distance for over a decade and have installed ETC devices for several vehicles. Here's what I can tell you: The ETC doesn't necessarily have to be processed by the vehicle owner personally. For example, last year when I installed an ETC for my wife's car, she didn't have time to visit the service point. I managed to get it done by bringing a copy of her ID card and the original vehicle license. The staff asked if I needed a power of attorney for the proxy service, but I declined - just filled out a form directly. The whole process took half an hour, the key is having complete documentation. This proxy approach saves time and effort, allowing automatic toll deduction at highway stations without frequent stops in queues. I've seen some people mistakenly think the owner must be present, but actually policies allow proxy processing - it just requires preparing some extra documents. Just remember not to lend your car to others for random toll passages, otherwise the account might get charged incorrectly, which would be troublesome.

[TravisLee]

When I first started learning to drive on the road, I was curious whether the ETC had to be handled by the car owner in person. Later, I asked the driving school instructor and the customer service at the service outlet, and found out it wasn't that strict. Others can also do it on behalf of the owner, such as your friends or family members who can apply with the owner's documents. The process usually includes filling out an application form, providing a copy of the vehicle license and the owner's ID. I once tried to have my mom handle it for me, and she got it done with just one phone call. The service outlet mentioned that a power of attorney is optional but recommended to prevent disputes. After installing the ETC, highway travel became much faster. Before, it took several minutes to queue for toll payment, but now it's just a quick pass. Beginners are recommended to get it done early to avoid letting small matters delay the travel experience.

[MacRhett]

As a car enthusiast, I often tinker with aftermarket parts and have even DIY installed an ETC device. It doesn't require the vehicle owner to be present during installation, making the binding process very flexible. I once installed an ETC for my buddy's car as his proxy - he was too lazy to go out. I prepared copies of his vehicle license and ID card, mounted the device on the windshield, and linked it to his account by swiping the card. The ETC system uses wireless technology to automatically deduct tolls when the vehicle passes through, making it convenient for non-owners to handle maintenance or system upgrades. Quick tips: just make sure the device is securely mounted to prevent signal loss.

[Braylen]

Our family shares one car. The car is registered under my father, who doesn't travel long distances, so I manage the ETC. Our child also uses the same ETC account when driving. The service center said we just need to provide proof of ownership and family relationship documents, such as a household registration photo, and fill out an authorization form. The installation location should be above the windshield to ensure good signal reception. This way, anyone in the family can conveniently use the highway, saving time in queues and money. Be careful not to let outsiders misuse it, as it may cause billing confusion.