What should be noted when using ETC?
2 Answers
ETC stands for Electronic-Toll-Collection, which means electronic toll collection system. ETC can be processed at bank outlets or highway service areas. The following documents are required: the original and photocopy of the vehicle owner's valid ID card and vehicle license. If the application is not made by the owner, the agent's valid ID card is also required. The photocopy of the vehicle license should include the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp; a bank card for deducting highway tolls; the applicant must be between 18 and 60 years old; and the vehicle must be registered under a personal name. Regarding the installation of ETC: Do not obstruct the view. It is best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have a large inclination 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, as it has a solar panel on the back for self-charging. Therefore, during installation, avoid the black 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-removal lever connected to a switch. After installation, the windshield will press the anti-removal lever in. If removed arbitrarily, the lever will pop out and trigger the switch, locking the electronic tag and rendering it unusable. You will need to visit an ETC service point to unlock it. This is designed to prevent multiple vehicles from sharing one device. When using ETC, note the following: 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 to avoid automatic toll payment for the vehicle in front. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 km/h. Driving too fast may result in failure to read the vehicle device information and toll deduction failure. When using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance will also cause toll deduction failure. Precautions for using ETC cards: Before passing through the toll station using ETC, ensure the ETC card is correctly inserted into the OBU. The card may loosen due to bumps during driving, so check it promptly and reinsert it into the OBU if necessary. The ETC card must be dedicated to the specific vehicle and cannot be changed arbitrarily after binding with the vehicle. Before using ETC, check the fee information displayed on the dedicated lane sign. If the card balance is insufficient, recharge it promptly. When passing through the ETC lane and the barrier does not lift, follow the instructions of the toll station staff or switch to the manual toll lane. If the ETC toll lane is temporarily closed at the highway toll station, use the manual toll lane for payment. The speed limit for the ETC dedicated lane is 20 km/h. Maintain a distance of more than 5 meters from the vehicle in front before passing through. If an ETC vehicle receives a toll card in the manual toll lane, it cannot use the ETC toll lane when exiting the highway and must use the manual toll lane.
As a frequent highway driver, I believe the first thing to check with ETC is whether the device is securely installed to prevent it from wobbling and affecting the signal. Always remember to check your balance on the mobile app or device display before each trip—I once got stopped because my card didn't have enough funds, wasting precious time. When passing through toll stations, maintain a speed between 20 to 30 km/h—too slow might raise suspicions of toll evasion, while too fast could cause the system to miss the signal and result in duplicate charges. On bad weather days like heavy fog or rain, wait a few extra seconds to confirm the toll is processed before driving off to avoid misjudgment. Additionally, clean the device surface every six months to prevent dust from interfering with detection. Avoid parking your car under direct sunlight, as high temperatures may shorten the battery life and require replacement—overlooking these small details can lead to unnecessary trouble.
