What to Do When You Have No Cash at a Highway Toll Station?
4 Answers
Here are the solutions when you have no cash at a highway toll station: 1. Exchange cash via electronic transfer: If you don't have cash, electronic transfer is also acceptable. 2. Pledge items at the toll station: You can pledge important documents such as your driver's license or ID card. After pledging these documents, the toll station will let you pass, and you can retrieve them upon paying the cash later. 3. Call your insurance company: Insurance companies often provide free services within a certain range, such as roadside assistance, fuel delivery, or tire replacement. You can also exchange for cash when receiving these services from your insurer.
The other day I experienced this exact situation on the highway - when my turn came at the toll booth, I realized I'd left my wallet at home. I panicked a bit, but the toll collector kindly asked if I had my phone with me. I immediately said I could use Alipay. Sure enough, a quick QR code scan completed the payment in under a minute. Nowadays, most toll stations in China support mobile payments including WeChat Pay and Alipay. For older toll stations, you might still be able to swipe bank cards like credit or debit cards. I recommend checking your phone battery before trips to ensure payment apps work properly. If your phone dies, negotiate with staff - sometimes they'll let you sign with your license plate noted for later online or cash payment. To avoid such hassles, I now keep a small change pouch in my car stocked with 100-yuan bills before long trips - it's worry-free and secure.
Wow, last month I went on a road trip and didn't bring a single cent when entering the highway! Just took out my phone, opened WeChat Pay, and it was done—super convenient. Many toll booths now have QR code icons posted; you just scan, enter the amount, and confirm. For Alipay, some lanes even support password-free payment, making the process as fast as a speeding car. If the toll booth has outdated equipment that doesn’t support mobile payments, don’t worry—just ask the toll attendant if you can pay by card, as they usually have a POS machine. Some places have already started piloting contactless payment, where your license plate is linked to a bank card for automatic deductions. Before hitting the highway, it’s best to check the toll policies for that route—some highway websites or apps list the supported payment methods. I always carry a small cardholder with a backup credit card, so whether it’s cash or card payment, there’s no stress. When traveling, the last thing you want is these little surprises, but a small bit of preparation can save you from embarrassment.
I remember last year on a remote highway, I arrived at the toll booth and realized I had no cash, which really panicked me. The toll collector saw my distress and asked if I wanted to pay by bank card. I said yes, and he brought out a POS machine for me to swipe my card, solving the problem. Normally, I always have my phone with me, but that day I didn’t, luckily I had a card in my wallet. Nowadays, many toll booths accept bank cards or ETC payments, which is super convenient. If you encounter a similar situation, just communicate with the staff—they’ll guide you. Sometimes, if you forget cash, you can even borrow their phone to call family for help with payment, but don’t make a habit of it. After learning my lesson, I now always check my wallet before trips to ensure I have at least one card or some cash. Simply put, don’t be afraid to ask for help—there’s always a way to solve the problem.
