What documents are needed to apply for ETC?
4 Answers
According to the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application of Electronic Non-stop Toll Collection Services on Expressways" 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 (with the page showing the most recent annual inspection stamp). If applying on behalf of someone else, the original valid ID card of the agent is also required. For corporate applications, the handler's ID card or driver's license, the company's organization code certificate or business license, and the company seal are needed. If applying for ETC through major bank branches, a debit or credit card from the corresponding bank is also required. Some banks only support ETC binding with credit cards, while others may require freezing a certain amount as a deposit when binding with a debit card. ETC Deduction Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on the expressway. 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 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 of 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. Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs by reducing the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowering wear and fuel consumption. Improved efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can increase vehicle passing efficiency by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC faster, more advanced, and higher-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, intercity transportation cards will be basically interoperable in key urban clusters, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also set a target in the main indicators for comprehensive transportation development during the "13th Five-Year Plan" to "achieve 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, efforts will be made to promote ETC usage for trucks and explore deep integration between ETC systems and smart transportation directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road 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 stops, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters to prevent automatic fee deduction for the vehicle in front, in case its ETC device is faulty or nonexistent. The recognition speed for ETC lanes is 20 km/h. Driving too fast may prevent the system from reading the vehicle's device information, leading to failed deductions. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or if the ETC electronic tag falls off or becomes loose, may cause the tag to fail. It can be taken to the bank where the ETC card was issued or the expressway service office for inspection. If the loosening or detachment is not due to human factors, reactivation may suffice. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance may cause deduction failures. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pay with cash or card. Thick windshields may cause poor sensing, especially for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or modified front windshields.
When I applied for ETC at the bank last year, I found the required documents were quite simple: mainly the original ID card of the vehicle owner, the vehicle registration certificate, and a bank card or credit card under your name. If you're authorizing someone else to handle it for you, remember to bring the authorization letter and the ID card of the authorized person. During the process, the bank staff will install the OBU device on the front windshield for you on-site, and the whole process takes about 15 minutes. Nowadays, almost all banks can handle ETC applications, and some even offer car wash coupons or toll discount coupons. It's recommended to choose a nearby branch and clean your car window before going, so the device sticks more firmly.
I got my ETC at a highway toll station service point, and it was much more convenient than I expected. Just bring your ID card, the original vehicle registration certificate, and a bank card that can be used for deductions. The staff will have you fill out an application form, then take the device to your car for on-site installation. The key is to remember to drive your car to the service point, as they need to verify the license plate and vehicle information. By the way, you can also apply online now, such as through Alipay or bank apps, but for first-time applications, I still recommend doing it offline—if there's any issue with device activation, it can be resolved on the spot.
I applied directly through the ETC service center. The required documents are similar to other channels: the three core materials are the vehicle owner's ID card, vehicle registration certificate, and bank card. Special reminder: if the vehicle is registered under a company name, you also need to bring a copy of the business license and the company seal. During the process, the staff will check the windshield installation position to ensure the device can function properly. It is recommended to go on weekdays as weekends can be crowded with long queues. The entire process takes about half an hour, and the device can be used on highways 24 hours after installation.
