What to Do If You Lose Your ETC Card?
3 Answers
ETC card replacement method: The vehicle owner should bring their ID card, the original and a copy of the vehicle registration certificate to the bank counter to handle the card change or replacement. The installation process for the ETC device is as follows: Upon receiving the device, first check if the ETC card and the electronic tag (OBU) are damaged. Press the anti-tamper button on the back of the OBU. A red light will briefly illuminate, and the OLED screen will display "Tag Invalid" or "Please Insert Card," indicating the device is functioning normally. Clean the front windshield to ensure the surface is smooth, clean, and dry. Then peel off the adhesive backing of the OBU and stick it to the installation position. Press firmly for 2-3 minutes to remove any air bubbles. Insert the ETC card with the front facing the driver and the back facing the windshield, ensuring the chip is inserted into the OBU device. ETC device activation method: Insert and remove the ETC card twice consecutively until the electronic tag screen displays "Bluetooth On." If "Tag Invalid" appears when inserting and removing the card twice without the electronic tag attached, this is normal and does not affect activation. Alternatively, press the button on the top of the electronic tag to enable Bluetooth directly. Turn on your phone's Bluetooth and open the corresponding mobile app (usually with a download QR code on the electronic tag), then enter the device activation interface. Click "Device Connection" and wait patiently for the "Connection Successful" prompt. After a successful connection, upload a photo of the front of your vehicle to complete the activation.
Don't panic if you lose your ETC card. The first step is to immediately contact the issuing bank to report the loss. When I lost mine before, calling customer service to freeze the account was the safest option to prevent unauthorized highway toll charges. After reporting the loss, bring your ID card to an ETC service outlet to apply for a replacement. Remember to provide the license plate number and device serial number to the staff, as they have records in their system. Nowadays, many bank apps also allow online applications for card replacement, but after activating the new card, you'll need to reattach it to the windshield to recalibrate the device. During the replacement period, you can use the manual lane—just explain the situation to the toll collector and register your license plate. Next time, remember to keep the card secure in a fixed card holder.
The first thing that came to mind when I lost my ETC card was the worry that someone might pick it up and misuse it. I immediately drove to the nearest ETC service center. The staff had me fill out a loss report application form and present my vehicle license and ID card. Within ten minutes, they issued me a temporary electronic card. Nowadays, card replacement is quite fast—it takes three working days to be delivered to your home, but do note there's an 80 yuan fee for replacement. Before receiving the new card, it's advisable to avoid ETC lanes and use manual lanes instead, just show your driver's license. To prevent future losses, you can stick a contact information sticker on your card—if a kind-hearted person finds it, they might return it to you.
