Where to Apply for an ETC Card?
2 Answers
ETC can be applied for at bank branches, expressway service areas, and other institutions. To apply, the vehicle owner must provide their original valid ID card and vehicle registration certificate, along with copies. If the application is made by a proxy, the proxy's valid ID card must also be provided. The copy of the vehicle registration certificate should include the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp. Additionally, a credit card application form is required, as the credit card will be used to bind the ETC card. After obtaining the credit card, the applicant can swipe it twice and present the POS receipt to a designated service point to receive and install the ETC onboard device for free, with no additional charges. Applicants must be between 18 and 60 years old and own a vehicle registered under their name. ETC stands for Electronic Toll Collection, which refers to the electronic toll system. To apply, the vehicle owner must provide their original valid ID card and vehicle registration certificate, along with copies. If the application is made by a proxy, the proxy's valid ID card must also be provided. The copy of the vehicle registration certificate should include the page with the most recent annual inspection stamp. A bank card for deducting expressway toll fees is also required. Applicants must be between 18 and 60 years old and own a vehicle registered under their name. Below are some important notes for installing ETC: Do not obstruct the driver's view; it is best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have steeply angled windshields, which can reduce the driver's field of vision. If the ETC is installed without considering this, it may increase blind spots. Install it on the right side behind the rearview mirror to avoid obstructing the view. Do not interfere with charging: The ETC electronic tag consumes power but generally does not require charging or battery replacement, as it has a built-in solar panel for self-charging. Therefore, avoid installing it on the blackened areas of the windshield or positions that may block the solar panel. Do not remove the device once installed: The adhesive button in the middle is an anti-tamper rod connected to a switch. Once the electronic tag is installed, the windshield will press the anti-tamper rod in. If the device is removed, the rod will pop out and trigger the switch, locking the electronic tag and rendering it unusable. In such cases, you will need to visit an ETC service point to unlock it. This feature is designed to prevent multiple vehicles from sharing the same device. When using ETC, note the following: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. To avoid issues caused by the malfunction of the ETC device of the vehicle ahead, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters to prevent automatic toll deduction for the preceding vehicle. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 km/h; driving too fast may result in failure to read the vehicle's device information, leading to toll deduction failure. If using a debit card to bind the ETC, insufficient balance may also cause toll deduction failure.
Last time I went to apply for an ETC card, I got it done at a branch of Bank of China, and the process was super smooth. Just bring your ID card and vehicle license directly to the bank counter, as they have a dedicated service area for ETC applications. The staff guided me through filling out the application form and linking a bank card for automatic fee deduction. Nowadays, many banks like ICBC and China Construction Bank offer this service without charging for device installation. You can also try applying for ETC through Alipay or WeChat mini-programs by uploading photos of your documents, saving you the hassle of queuing in person. Remember to mount the device on the front windshield without obstructing your view—highway tolling becomes lightning fast, eliminating the need to stop and pay cash. Whether you choose a nearby bank or an online platform, it's all good, and opting for a weekday morning means fewer crowds.
