Must the vehicle owner apply for ETC?

[StMiles]

Non-owners can also apply for ETC. According to the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application Service 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 copy of the vehicle registration certificate, and the page of the registration certificate with the most recent annual inspection stamp are required. If applying on behalf of others, the original valid ID card of the agent is also required. If applying for ETC through major bank branches, a debit card or credit card from the corresponding bank must be prepared. Some banks only support ETC binding with credit cards, while others may require freezing a portion of the amount as a deposit when binding ETC with a debit card. The principle of ETC deduction: There will be one or more ETC lanes on the highway. Through the dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle-mounted electronic tag installed on the vehicle's 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 paying road and bridge tolls without stopping at the toll station. 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 environmentally friendly: Low-carbon, vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution; Save on wear and tear: Reduces costs, decreases the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowers wear and fuel consumption, and users can enjoy a 5% discount on tolls; Improve efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, more advanced, 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 target in the main indicators of the "13th Five-Year Plan" for comprehensive transportation development: "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 and explore the deep integration of the ETC system with the development direction of smart transportation, such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-road coordination, to provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means that more application scenarios will support ETC applications. Precautions for using ETC: The ETC transaction sensing area is 8 meters. When encountering a stopped vehicle ahead, to prevent the ETC device of the vehicle ahead from malfunctioning or not having an ETC device at all, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters from the vehicle ahead to avoid automatically sensing and paying for the vehicle ahead. The recognition speed for ETC lane passage is 20 km/h. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle device information cannot be read, which will also result in a failed deduction. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag, will cause the electronic tag to fail. It can be sent to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the highway service office for testing. If the loosening or detachment is not man-made, it only needs to be reactivated. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance will also result in a failed deduction. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pass by cash or card. Excessive thickness of the car windshield may cause poor sensing. This is especially important for vehicles that have been repaired after an accident and had their windshields replaced, or for those who have modified their front windshields.

[EmeryLee]

Last time I went to apply for an ETC for my car, I found out that the owner doesn't have to be present in person. I delegated the task to my younger brother, who took my ID card copy and the original vehicle registration certificate to the bank. The staff only verified the information and signature authorization, and it was done. The whole process took less than 15 minutes, saving me a lot of time. The ETC is linked to the bank card and vehicle information, so it's advisable to prepare copies of the documents in advance in case they need to be photocopied. Although the owner can delegate the task, it's still important to be cautious about authorization security and not let others sign things indiscriminately. After it's done, driving on the highway becomes much more convenient, saving the hassle of queuing to pay. Remember to check that the card and tag are properly installed to prevent the device from becoming loose and ineffective. Handle it early to avoid getting stuck at the toll booth during peak hours.

[SanCameron]

Actually, applying for ETC is quite flexible and doesn't necessarily require the car owner to make a trip in person. I recommend going through official channels like 4S shops or banks, as they often offer agency services. Just bring a copy of the car owner's ID card, the vehicle registration certificate, and a copy of the bank card to complete the process. Online mini-programs like Alipay ETC are even faster—face recognition authentication gets it done in under 5 minutes. When authorizing someone else to handle it, make sure the documents are clear and verifiable to avoid disputes. Keep these materials handy at all times so they're ready when needed. After applying, link the card for easy fee deductions, saving time on highway tolls—a win-win situation. Handling it this way is both efficient and hassle-free. Don't delay too long; the sooner you apply, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits.

[DeAnthony]

Buddy, I've handled the ETC thing several times, and it's really not necessary for the car owner to do it. Last time I borrowed a friend's car for a long trip, I applied for it myself through a mini-program. Just uploaded photos of the vehicle license and authorization letter, and the tag was mailed directly to me. The process was super smooth. With all the materials ready, anyone can get it done. Just bind the card, swipe it, and you're good to go on the highway—saves time and is super efficient. Don't overthink it; find the right channel, and it's done in no time.