What documents are required to apply for ETC?
3 Answers
According to the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Application Service of Electronic Toll Collection 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 card or credit card from the respective bank must be prepared. Some banks only support ETC binding with credit cards, while others may require freezing a certain amount of funds as a deposit when binding ETC with a debit card. ETC Deduction Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through microwave dedicated short-range 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 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 toll stations without stopping, reducing noise and exhaust emissions, thereby decreasing pollution; Reduced wear and tear: Saves costs, reduces the frequency of vehicle starts and brakes, lowers wear and fuel consumption, and users can also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees; Improved efficiency: The theoretical efficiency of ETC lanes can be increased by 2-3 times, 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: "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 smart transportation development directions such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-road coordination, providing comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners. This means more application scenarios will support ETC applications. ETC Usage Notes: The ETC transaction sensing area is 8 meters. When encountering a stopped vehicle ahead, to prevent the ETC device of the preceding vehicle from malfunctioning or not having an ETC device at all, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters from the preceding vehicle to avoid automatic sensing and paying for the preceding vehicle. The recognition speed for ETC lane passage is 20km/h. If the speed is too fast, the vehicle device information cannot be read, which will also result in failed deductions. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, 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 inspection. Non-human-induced loosening or detachment only requires reactivation. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance will also result in failed deductions. 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 had accidents and had their windshields replaced or for those who have modified their front windshields.
I recently helped a friend with an ETC application, and having all the materials ready really speeds up the process. Remember to bring the original and a copy of the vehicle owner's ID card, both the original and duplicate of the vehicle registration certificate, and also prepare a bank card for fee deduction binding. If the owner can't go in person, the proxy needs to bring their own ID card and an authorization letter from the owner. It's recommended to take a 45-degree angle photo of the car body in advance, without the license plate. Many bank mini-programs now allow online material uploads, but doing it at an offline service point is the safest bet. You can also inquire about local toll discount policies while you're there, as different banks offer varying levels of discounts.
Last time I was in a hurry to install an ETC before a long-distance trip, and I definitely didn’t want to miss any materials. The ID card, vehicle license, and bank card are the essential trio, and the vehicle information page must be photocopied clearly. Nowadays, many bank apps support online applications, making the process simple: take photos to upload the documents, wait for the device to be delivered home, and activate it according to the instructions, saving the hassle of queuing at a branch. However, going to the bank or a highway service station in person also has its advantages—staff can test the device’s sensitivity on the spot. I’ve seen cases where someone’s online-purchased ETC had the film placed incorrectly, causing repeated recognition failures and delays.
