What to Do If You Don't Have Money at the Toll Booth?
3 Answers
Here are the solutions if you don't have money at the toll booth: 1. You can transfer the payment to the responsible person at the toll station. Toll collectors are prohibited from carrying mobile phones or cash while on duty, so you may need to wait patiently for the responsible person to handle the situation. 2. Borrow money from other drivers or exchange cash. However, be aware that people may be more cautious when traveling, and sometimes other drivers might be wary and unwilling to exchange money. 3. Use items of similar value in the car as collateral. Collateral items can include your ID card or the vehicle's spare tire. However, toll collectors take on additional risks when accepting collateral. 4. Install an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system. By installing an electronic tag on your car window and carrying a settlement IC card, the system automatically communicates with microwave devices in the dedicated lane, completing the entry/exit information reading and payment without stopping, allowing you to pass through the toll booth directly.
I've also experienced the awkward situation of not having money when driving through a toll booth. It happened on the highway when I realized I had left my wallet at home, and I panicked. I immediately slowed down and pulled over to the side to avoid blocking other vehicles. I proactively rolled down the window and explained the situation to the staff, who are usually very professional and will suggest using mobile payment methods like WeChat or Alipay to scan a QR code for payment. If that's not supported, you can use a credit card to swipe. If all else fails, they can record your license plate number and contact details, allowing you to pay later at a service point. To make things easier in the future, I now keep a small box of change in my car or set up payment accounts on my phone as a backup. Developing this habit has saved me a lot of hassle and made my trips safer.
Forgetting to bring money when passing through a toll station can indeed be nerve-wracking, but safety should always come first. I've been in a similar situation before, and my immediate response was to safely pull over and seek assistance from the staff. They usually offer solutions such as card payments or electronic transactions; if those aren't viable, signing a payment agreement to settle the fee later can prevent disputes. Reflecting on this experience, I realized the importance of better preparation—like regularly checking the cash reserve in my car or linking a bank card to frequently used apps. These small preventive measures can avert major issues, making driving a more reassuring experience.
