What to Do When You Don't Have Enough Money in Your ETC Card on the Highway?
3 Answers
Currently, ETC cards are divided into three types: debit cards, prepaid cards (debit cards), and co-branded credit cards. Among them, ETC debit cards do not have an overdraft function, so sufficient balance must be available in the card for passage. If the balance is insufficient, follow the guidance of toll station staff to proceed to the MTC or manual lane, where you can pay the toll by swiping your card or using cash to pass. ETC Lane: ETC is an electronic toll collection system that allows vehicles to pass without stopping. The ETC dedicated lane (Automatic Vehicle Identification, AVI), also known as the Electronic Toll Collection System (ETC system), is specifically designed for ETC vehicles equipped with an On-Board Unit (OBU) and does not have a manual toll collection platform. About Insufficient Funds 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 owner must proceed through the manual lane by swiping the card. If the owner collects a toll card at the highway entrance, they cannot use the Jitong card for payment at the exit. If the owner collects the toll card normally at the entrance, they must proceed through the MTC lane for payment at the exit. In the highway electronic toll collection system, owners cannot use one Jitong card to pay for multiple vehicles. The rule of "one vehicle, one card, one tag" must be strictly followed. When passing through a highway toll station, if the balance is insufficient, the owner must pay in cash to pass. If the ETC lane does not lift the barrier when the owner exits the highway, and the owner pays manually but also receives a deduction notification 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 Passage Methods: Entering and exiting through the ETC lane will not incur charges. Entering and exiting through the manual lane will not incur charges. If entering through the manual lane and attempting to exit through the ETC lane, the barrier will not lift due to the lack of entry information. In this case, the owner must choose the manual lane. Entering through the ETC lane and exiting through the manual lane will allow 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 regularly and reinsert it if necessary. The ETC card must be dedicated to one vehicle and cannot be changed arbitrarily after binding. Before using ETC, check the fee information displayed on the dedicated lane sign. If the balance is insufficient, recharge promptly. If the barrier does not lift when passing through the ETC lane, follow the instructions of the toll station staff or switch to the manual toll lane. If the ETC toll lane is temporarily closed, 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 must be maintained from the vehicle ahead. If an ETC vehicle collects a toll card in the manual lane, it cannot use the ETC lane when exiting the highway and must use the manual toll lane.
Last time when I was on the highway, my ETC card ran out of balance. At the exit, the toll collector professionally informed me that I could pay the toll on the spot with cash or a bank card. If that wasn't possible, they might sometimes note it down and send me a bill later, but it's best to pay promptly. I recommend setting up automatic top-up with a credit card or setting up balance alerts on Alipay. Nowadays, ETC is connected to mobile apps, making it easy to check the balance and avoid such awkward situations. Delaying payment for too long might result in fines or affect your vehicle's annual inspection, so I've made it a habit to check my balance weekly. Highway toll payment might seem like a small matter, but mishandling it can be quite troublesome. Setting up a credit card for automatic payment early on can save a lot of hassle.
Don't panic when your ETC runs out of money, highway toll stations have solutions. From my experience, when the system detects insufficient balance at entry or exit lanes, it will issue a warning or request additional payment. I always prefer linking a savings card for automatic deductions, ensuring safety as long as there's money in the card. If you genuinely forget to top up, approach staff at the toll station—they'll guide you through QR code or cash payments, with some locations even offering post-payment services. However, over-reliance might incur extra fees; I make it a habit to check my balance via the official ETC app before every long trip. Linking convenient mobile payment methods can prevent such issues. While electronic toll collection is efficient, managing your personal account is key.
