What documents are needed to apply for ETC?
2 Answers
According to the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application Service of Electronic Non-stop Toll Collection on Expressways" issued by the Ministry of Transport, the original valid ID card of the vehicle owner, the original and photocopy 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 debit card or credit card from the corresponding bank is required. Some banks only support ETC binding with credit cards, while others may require freezing a certain amount as a deposit when binding with debit cards. ETC Deduction Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on the expressway. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle-mounted electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, and using computer networking technology for backend settlement with the bank, the vehicle can pay tolls without stopping at the toll booth. All this is 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: Low-carbon, as vehicles pass through toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions and minimizing pollution. Cost-saving: Reduces vehicle wear and tear by decreasing the frequency of starting and braking, lowering 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, more advanced, and more high-tech. 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, the interoperability of transportation cards in key urban clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also set a target of "50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020" in the main indicators of the 13th Five-Year Plan for comprehensive transportation development. 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 directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC. ETC Usage Notes: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. If the vehicle in front stops, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters to prevent automatic fee deduction for the vehicle in front, in case its ETC device malfunctions or is absent. The recognition speed for ETC lanes is 20 km/h. Excessive speed may prevent reading the vehicle device information, leading to failed fee deductions. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or detachment or loosening of the ETC electronic tag, will render the tag invalid. It can be taken to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the expressway service office for inspection. Non-deliberate detachment or loosening only requires reactivation. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance may cause fee 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 especially important for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or for those with modified front windshields.
I remember when I went to the bank to apply for an ETC last year, I brought my original ID card and a copy, the vehicle registration certificate, and a linked bank card or credit card, which is used to deduct highway tolls. I also had to provide a valid mobile phone number to receive SMS notifications and ensure the account functions properly. The whole process went smoothly, and the staff helped me install the ETC device on the windshield on-site. Now, I don’t have to queue up on the highway, saving both time and fuel. If you don’t prepare all the required documents, you might have to make multiple trips. I recommend calling the bank in advance to confirm the requirements, as some places may also require vehicle photos for verification. ETC is super convenient, especially during holiday traffic jams—it feels like a significant upgrade in quality of life when you can zoom past the queues.
