What to Do When You Have No Cash at a Highway Toll Station?
2 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.
