
Highway ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) translates to electronic toll collection, which is a non-stop toll collection system. Highways are equipped with one or more ETC lanes. ETC payment method: Through microwave-specific short-range communication between the vehicle-mounted RFID tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna on the ETC lane at the toll station, the system uses networked technology to conduct background settlement processing with the bank, thereby achieving the purpose of vehicles passing through bridge 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, which is used to bind the ETC card. After obtaining the credit card, swipe it twice and present the POS slip to the designated postal outlet to receive and install the ETC vehicle-mounted device for free, with no additional charges. Must be between 18 and 60 years old. Must own a vehicle under personal name. Below are precautions for installing ETC: Do not obstruct the view; it is best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have a steeply angled windshield, which can reduce the driver's field of vision. If ETC installation does not consider this, it may increase blind spots. Install it on the right side behind the rearview mirror to avoid obstructing the view. Do not interfere with 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, avoid installing it on the blackened area of the windshield or where the solar panel might be blocked. Once installed, do not remove it arbitrarily: The button in the middle of the adhesive is an anti-tamper lever connected to a switch. After installation, the windshield will press the lever in. If removed arbitrarily, the lever will pop out and trigger the switch, locking the electronic tag and rendering it unusable, requiring a visit to an ETC service point for unlocking. 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 ahead from malfunctioning, maintain a distance of more than 10 meters to avoid automatic payment for the vehicle ahead. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 km/h; excessive speed may cause failure to read the vehicle's device information, leading to payment failure. When using a debit card to bind ETC, insufficient balance may also cause payment failure.

ETC on highways refers to the Electronic Toll Collection system, a nifty gadget that automatically deducts fees using radio frequency identification technology, making things super convenient. A small box called an OBU device is installed in the car, and when you drive through a toll station, the antenna scans it and directly deducts the fee from your linked bank card or prepaid card—no need to stop and pay cash. This system originated in the U.S. in the 1980s and has been rapidly adopted in China, mainly to reduce congestion and improve efficiency. It’s incredibly handy for daily use, especially during peak hours to avoid long queues. Just make sure the device doesn’t malfunction and your account has sufficient balance, otherwise, the payment might fail. Some regions even support integration with mobile payments, like topping up your balance via WeChat or Alipay QR codes, making the system increasingly smart. Overall, it benefits both traffic flow and environmental sustainability.

As someone who frequently drives on highways, I deeply appreciate the benefits of ETC. Its full name is Electronic Toll Collection system, which essentially means automatic fee deduction. With a transponder card installed in the car, you can zoom through toll stations without any traffic jams. It's incredibly convenient for commuters, saving both time and effort, plus there's often a small discount to save money. When registering, you can choose to link it with your bank card, ensuring transparent fees without hidden charges. However, you need to be cautious about issues like a dead battery or loose connection, which might cause payment failures and lead to trouble. You can usually check your bills through an app, which is quite thoughtful. Compared to the frustrating experience of paying with cash in the past, ETC is definitely an essential tool for modern driving.

ETC is that automatic toll collection system, where you install a device in your car, and it deducts the fee automatically when passing through highway toll stations. No need to queue up to pay cash, it's much faster. Installation is quite simple—just bring your documents to a designated point to get a card, usually free or with a small fee. When using it, make sure the card has money and the device isn't broken, otherwise you won't get through. The benefits are saving time and being environmentally friendly, reducing exhaust emissions. Nowadays, many highways have ETC-exclusive lanes, and those without it have to wait in regular lanes for a long time. Understanding this small thing is very practical.


