What does ETC mean on the highway?
2 Answers
Highway ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) translates to electronic toll collection, which is a non-stop toll collection system. On highways, there will be one or more ETC lanes. ETC toll collection method: Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the onboard RFID tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna on the ETC lane at the toll station, using software networking technology to conduct background settlement processing with the bank, thereby achieving the purpose of vehicles passing through bridge and road toll stations without stopping to pay tolls. Banks install this type of ETC express card with a post-payment system. ETC application conditions are as follows: Provide the original and photocopy of the vehicle owner's valid ID card and vehicle registration certificate. The photocopy of the driver's license must include the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp; Postal credit card application form. This credit card is used to bind the ETC card. After obtaining the credit card, swipe it twice and present the POS receipt to the designated postal outlet to receive and install the ETC onboard device for free, with no charges during the process; Must be between 18 and 60 years old; Must own a vehicle in personal name. Here are the precautions for installing ETC: Do not obstruct the view. It is best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have a large rearward tilt angle of the windshield, which reduces the driver's field of vision. If this is not considered during ETC installation, it will increase the driver's blind spots. Install it on the right side behind the rearview mirror to avoid obstructing the view. Do not affect charging: The ETC electronic tag consumes power but generally does not require charging or battery replacement because it has a solar panel on the back that can charge itself. Therefore, during installation, avoid the blackened areas on the windshield and positions that may block the solar panel. Once installed, do not remove it arbitrarily: The button in the middle of the adhesive is an anti-tamper lever connected to a switch below. After the electronic tag is installed, the windshield will press the anti-tamper lever in. If it is removed arbitrarily, the lever will pop out and trigger the switch, locking the electronic tag and rendering it unusable. You will then need to visit an ETC service point to unlock it. This is designed to prevent multiple vehicles from sharing one device. Notes for using ETC: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. To prevent the ETC device of the vehicle in front from malfunctioning, 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 ETC lane recognition speed is 20 kilometers per hour. If the vehicle speed is too fast, the system may fail to read the vehicle device information, resulting in a failed toll deduction. When using a debit card bound to ETC, insufficient balance will also cause the toll deduction to fail.
I used to drive on highways a lot, so I'm very familiar with ETC. Its full name is Electronic Toll Collection system, which means you install a small device in your car, and when passing toll points on the highway, you don't need to stop—the fee is automatically deducted. Installing it makes life so much easier. For my daily commute, during peak hours without ETC, I'd have to wait in long queues at toll booths, but now it takes just a few seconds to pass through without even needing to open the window. The benefits aren't just about saving time; it also avoids the hassle of dealing with cash change. Installation is simple too—just get a card from the bank, bind it, and you get the device for free. Occasionally, there might be minor glitches like the signal not being detected, but stopping and restarting the system usually fixes it. Using ETC also lets you accumulate reward points, making long trips more convenient, especially when carrying luggage—fewer stops mean saving on fuel costs too.
