What documents are needed to apply for ETC for a car?
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 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 proxy is also required. If applying for ETC through the business halls of major banks, 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. Documents required for company vehicles: A letter of introduction from the vehicle owner (with official seal); a copy of the organization code certificate or business license (with official seal); the original ID card of the proxy; the original vehicle registration certificate; the vehicle that needs to apply for ETC. ETC deduction principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on the expressway. Through the dedicated short-range microwave communication between the onboard 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 the bank, 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: Time-saving: eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and eco-friendly: green and low-carbon, vehicles pass through the toll station without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions, and minimizing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: saves costs, reduces the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, and lowers wear and fuel consumption; Improved 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 smart cards in key city clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will be significantly increased." It also explicitly set the goal in the main indicators of the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development 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 and explore the deep integration of the ETC system with the development directions of smart transportation such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-road coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means that more application scenarios will support ETC applications. ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing area is 8 meters. When encountering a vehicle in front that has stopped, to prevent the ETC device of the vehicle in front from malfunctioning or not having an ETC device at all, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters from the vehicle in front to avoid automatic sensing and paying for the vehicle in front. 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 disassembly 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 expressway service hall for testing. If the detachment or loosening 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 paying cash or swiping a card. A windshield that is too thick may cause poor sensing. This is especially important for vehicles that have been repaired after an accident and had the windshield replaced, or for those who have modified the front windshield.
To apply for a car ETC, you need to prepare some basic items: the original and a copy of the car owner's ID card, which is used to verify your identity; the original and a copy of the vehicle registration certificate, showing the basic information of the car; and also bring a bank card, preferably a frequently used debit or credit card, for convenient deduction of highway tolls after binding. When applying, make an appointment in advance through the bank's APP to save queuing time. With ETC installed, you can zoom through highway toll stations without delay, saving both time and fuel, making the journey hassle-free. It's advisable to prepare two copies of the documents to avoid any rush in the crowded application site. Having driven many long-distance trips, I can say ETC eliminates the hassle of manual toll payments, and it's something you should get done sooner rather than later.
