What does it mean when the ETC card shows 'Label Expired'?
3 Answers
ETC displaying 'Label Detached' indicates that the device is currently unavailable and needs to be reinstalled and reactivated at the original processing point or any highway ETC service center. The ETC installation process is as follows: Upon receiving the device, first check if the ETC card and electronic tag (OBU) are damaged. Press the anti-tamper button on the back of the OBU. A red light will briefly illuminate, and the OLED screen will display 'Tag Invalid' or 'Please Insert Card,' indicating the device is functioning normally. Clean the front windshield, ensuring the surface is smooth, clean, and dry. Then peel off the adhesive backing of the OBU and stick it to the installation location. Press firmly for 2-3 minutes to remove any air bubbles. Insert the ETC card with the front side facing the driver and the back side facing the windshield. The chip should be inserted into the OBU device. ETC activation method: Insert and remove the ETC card twice consecutively until the electronic tag screen displays 'Bluetooth On.' If 'Label Invalid' appears when inserting and removing the card twice without the electronic tag attached, this is normal and does not affect activation. Alternatively, press the button on top of the electronic tag to enable Bluetooth directly. Turn on the phone's Bluetooth and open the corresponding mobile app (usually a download QR code is provided on the electronic tag). Enter the device activation interface. Click 'Device Connection' and wait patiently for the 'Connection Successful' prompt. Once connected, upload a photo of the vehicle's front to complete activation.
That day while driving home on the highway, the ETC suddenly alerted me that the tag had expired, and I immediately understood what was going on. Generally speaking, the tag is that little square stuck on the windshield that automatically deducts fees when passing through toll stations. If it shows as expired, it's mostly because the built-in battery has run out—the battery life of an ETC tag is usually three to five years—or the service contract has expired without renewal, causing it to fail to recognize the vehicle. In such cases, the automatic barrier lifting function won't work when you drive through the station, forcing you to switch to taking a card or paying with cash, which not only wastes time but can also cause traffic jams—pretty annoying. The solution isn't hard: I just called the ETC service provider to schedule a replacement tag, then brought my vehicle license to the service point to get it swapped. It's advisable to regularly check the tag's status to avoid last-minute issues on the road—safety first.
Sigh, my car's ETC also popped up an expiration prompt a while ago, which gave me a start. It means that little device isn't working anymore, and the reasons can vary—maybe the tag's chip battery is dead, or the internal circuits have aged. Frequent use tends to cause this. The result is that the system won't recognize it at toll booths, forcing you to stop and pay manually, which slows down your commute. I quickly contacted customer service to get a new tag, and the process was pretty smooth, costing just a few dozen bucks. Remember, checking your ETC status regularly via a mobile app can prevent this—after all, small hiccups are the last thing you want during high-speed travel.
