What documents are needed to apply for ETC?

[FaithAnn]

According to the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) on Highways" issued by the Ministry of Transport, the following documents are required: 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 must be provided). If applying on behalf of someone else, the original valid ID card of the agent is also required. If applying for ETC through major bank branches, a debit 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 with a debit card. ETC Deduction Principle: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle-mounted electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with the bank, the system achieves the purpose of toll payment without the vehicle needing to stop at toll stations. This is all based on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues; Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by eliminating the need for vehicles to stop at toll stations, thereby lowering pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent starts and stops, reducing vehicle wear and fuel consumption. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees; Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase vehicle throughput by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster and more technologically advanced. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council explicitly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, intercity transportation cards should be interoperable in key urban clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC should significantly increase." The plan also set a target of "achieving a 50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, future efforts will promote ETC use for trucks and explore deeper integration of ETC systems with smart transportation developments such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC. ETC Usage Notes: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. If the vehicle in front is stationary, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters to prevent accidental payment for the vehicle ahead due to ETC device failure or absence. The recognition speed for ETC lanes is 20 km/h. Driving too fast may result in failure to read the vehicle's device information and subsequent deduction failure. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or if the ETC electronic tag becomes loose or detached, may render the tag invalid. It can be taken to the bank where the ETC card was issued or a highway service center for inspection. If the detachment is not due to human error, reactivation may suffice. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance may cause deduction failure. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use manual MTC lanes and pay with cash or card. Thick windshields may cause poor signal reception. This is particularly relevant for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or for those with modified front windshields.

[DiKevin]

I still remember clearly when I applied for an ETC for my car last year. You need to bring your original ID card to prove you're the vehicle owner; the vehicle registration certificate is also required to show the car's information; and you must prepare a bank card, which will be linked for future highway toll deductions. I recommend making an appointment in advance via your bank's mobile app to avoid wasting time in queues. It becomes usable on the same day after application, making highway access swift and eliminating the hassle of handling change. My friend forgot to bring the registration certificate and had to make a wasted trip, so be sure to double-check that all documents are complete. Nowadays, you can also apply online by uploading photos—super convenient.