What to Do If You Forget to Swipe Your ETC Card When Exiting the Highway?
3 Answers
If you forget to swipe your ETC card when exiting the highway, you can follow the guidance of the toll station staff to the MTC or manual lane before your next highway entry. You can then pass by paying the toll via card or cash. Here is some information about ETC: 1. Introduction to ETC: ETC, which stands for Electronic Toll Collection in Chinese, is an automatic toll collection system for highways or bridges. 2. How ETC Works: It uses dedicated short-range communication between the onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station. This system leverages computer networking technology to process backend settlements with banks, allowing vehicles to pass through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping to pay fees.
Last time when I exited the highway, I accidentally forgot to swipe my ETC card, and instantly panicked: Would I be fined? I quickly pulled over at the parking area, checked if the ETC device was still there, and then called the highway customer service hotline 12328. The customer service representative asked me to provide the entry time, license plate number, and card number. After they checked the records, they helped me make a supplementary payment. The process was simple, and I wasn’t fined. Later, I learned my lesson—now every time I exit the highway, I keep an eye on the indicator light and wait until I hear the beep confirming the successful deduction before feeling at ease. Remember to regularly clean the sensor area of the ETC tag to prevent dust from blocking the signal. Such small oversights can help avoid many anxious moments.
If you encounter a situation where your ETC didn't scan when exiting the highway, don't panic: The first step is to stay calm and check if the ETC device is malfunctioning or wasn't detected. If the fee really wasn't deducted successfully, immediately contact customer service or report the entry time via the ETC app—they can track the route and collect the fee afterward. I've experienced this once myself; after verification by customer service, I just needed to pay the missed fee, usually without any additional penalties. Since then, every time I enter the highway, I make sure the tag is placed in the center of the windshield and glance at it when the entry scan lights up. This prevents future hassles, allowing me to focus on driving safely and worry-free.
