What to Do When There's Insufficient Balance in the ETC Lane?

[SanReid]

Currently, ETC cards are divided into three types: debit cards, prepaid cards (debit cards), and credit card co-branded toll cards. Among them, ETC debit cards do not have an overdraft function, so the card must have sufficient balance to pass. In case of insufficient balance, follow the instructions of the toll station staff to proceed to the MTC or manual lane and pay the toll by swiping the card or using cash. ETC Lane: ETC is an electronic toll collection system that does not require stopping. The ETC dedicated lane (Automatic Vehicle Identification, AVI for short), also known as the Electronic Toll Collection System (ETC system for short), is specifically designed for ETC vehicles equipped with an onboard unit (OBU) and does not have a manual toll collection platform. About Insufficient Balance in the ETC Lane: When an ETC vehicle enters the ETC lane and the transaction fails, the vehicle owner must comply with the arrangements of the highway management department. If the ETC device cannot be used for the transaction, the vehicle must proceed through the manual lane by swiping the card. If the vehicle owner collects a toll card at the highway entrance, they cannot use the Jitong card to pay at the exit. If the vehicle owner collects the toll card normally at the highway entrance, they can only proceed through the MTC lane for payment at the exit. In the highway electronic toll collection system, vehicle owners cannot use one Jitong card to pay for multiple vehicles. The rule of one vehicle, one card, and one tag must be strictly followed. When a vehicle owner passes through a highway toll station and the display shows insufficient balance, the owner must pay in cash to pass through the toll station. If an ETC vehicle owner exits the highway via the ETC lane and the barrier does not lift, and the owner pays via the manual lane but still receives a deduction notice from ETC, resulting in duplicate charges, the owner should keep the payment receipt and contact the ETC customer service for a refund. Important Notes on Passing Methods: Entering and exiting via the ETC lane will not result in charges. Entering and exiting via the manual lane will not result in charges. If entering via the manual lane and attempting to exit via the ETC lane, the barrier will not lift because the system lacks entry information. In this case, the manual lane must be chosen. Entering via the ETC lane and exiting via the manual lane allows normal passage without charges. Precautions for Using ETC Cards: Before using ETC to pass through a toll station, ensure the ETC card is correctly inserted into the OBU. During driving, bumps may loosen the ETC card, so check it promptly and reinsert it if necessary. ETC cards are vehicle-specific and cannot be changed arbitrarily after being bound to a vehicle. Before using ETC, check the fee information displayed on the dedicated lane sign. If the card balance is insufficient, recharge it promptly. If the barrier does not lift when passing through the ETC lane, comply with the toll station staff's instructions or switch to the manual toll lane. If the ETC toll lane is temporarily closed at a highway toll station, use the manual toll lane for payment. The speed limit in the ETC dedicated lane is 20 km/h, and a distance of at least 5 meters should be maintained from the vehicle ahead. If an ETC vehicle collects a toll card in the manual toll lane, it cannot use the ETC toll lane when exiting the highway and must use the manual toll lane.

[KiraRose]

That day, I encountered an insufficient balance display at the ETC lane at the highway exit, and the toll collector immediately directed me to the manual lane. I used WeChat to scan the code and pay the outstanding toll, and the whole process was quite fast. Later, I called the bank customer service, and they said the system would automatically recover the unpaid fee, but they recommended linking a bank card for automatic top-up. Now I've developed a habit of checking my balance in the app before every highway trip, and if it's below 50 yuan, I manually top it up. I also enable balance change alerts to avoid any awkward situations. If I happen to be short on cash on-site, it's no problem—the staff will record the license plate and notify me later for payment.