What to Do If You Forgot to Take the Card When Entering the Highway?
3 Answers
If you forgot to take the card at the highway entrance, it is recommended to immediately look for the nearest highway exit, explain the situation to the exit staff, then return to the original entrance to get the card before continuing your journey. Below are some precautions for driving on the highway: Watch for Oncoming Traffic: When merging from the ramp onto the fast lane, pay attention to the oncoming traffic from the left while gradually accelerating. Ensure there is enough distance before merging and then accelerate forward. Precautions for Overtaking: Avoid occupying the innermost lane as much as possible, leaving it for other vehicles to overtake. Always overtake from the left side, as overtaking from the right is more dangerous.
I happened to encounter this situation today and want to remind everyone. If you forget to take the toll card when entering the highway, don't panic. First, slow down and move to the right, then turn on your hazard lights. Never reverse to go back. Find staff at the nearest service area or toll station to explain the situation. They will help you reissue a toll card and register your vehicle information. According to China's highway management regulations, this usually requires charging based on the longest possible distance, but after explaining, they typically only charge for the actual distance traveled. Last time I forgot to take the card at the Hangzhou Bay Bridge, I ended up paying an additional 30% service fee, which is still better than being accused of toll evasion. I recommend setting a reminder on your phone when passing through toll stations and developing the habit of stopping to take the card before proceeding.
Veteran driver tells you what to do. If you forget to take the card, just drive straight ahead and explain the situation when exiting the highway. Toll station staff will verify your vehicle model and entry time by checking surveillance footage, then charge you based on the actual distance traveled plus a small service fee. Last year when I was driving a truck on the highway, I once forgot to take the card due to drowsiness at dawn, and paid an additional 35 yuan at the Yancheng exit. Remember to keep the payment receipt, as some places require ID registration for record-keeping. Avoiding such incidents is easy—just keep the toll card with your phone for better memory. Nowadays, ETC is actually more convenient.
