Which lane should ETC car owners take on National Day expressways?
2 Answers
During the National Day free expressway period, ETC car owners should choose the following lanes: • Enter through ETC lane and exit through ETC lane - no charge • Enter through manual lane and exit through manual lane - no charge • Enter through manual lane and exit through ETC lane - no entry information recorded, barrier won't lift (cannot exit) • Enter through ETC lane and exit through manual lane - passable without charge ETC usage precautions: • The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. Maintain over 10 meters distance from vehicles ahead to prevent accidental payment for other vehicles (in case of faulty or missing ETC devices). • The ETC lane recognition speed limit is 20km/h. Excessive speed will cause reading failure and payment deduction issues. • Any unauthorized OBU device movement, detached/loose ETC tags will deactivate the electronic tag. These can be inspected at ETC service banks or highway offices. Non-deliberate detachment only requires reactivation.
During the National Day holiday on the highway, as my friend with over a decade of driving experience said, ETC users should stick to the ETC-exclusive lanes for the most reliable experience. The lane signs are very clear, usually marked with 'ETC Only,' and you can pass through the toll station quickly as long as your device is properly installed. During holidays, the traffic is extremely heavy—if you choose the manual toll lanes, you’ll end up in long queues, wasting time and adding to the congestion. ETC automatically deducts fees, making it hassle-free and efficient. If the device reads the card properly, you’ll basically pass through in seconds. Before setting off, don’t forget to check if the battery is charged to avoid malfunctions mid-journey. In case of traffic jams, maintain a safe distance and move slowly—avoid impatient lane changes for safety. The National Day highway toll-free policy applies to small passenger vehicles, but ETC lanes remain operational. Sticking to the dedicated lanes ensures efficient travel while saving some fees.
