Why didn't I receive the ETC deduction notification after using the expressway today?
2 Answers
Not receiving the ETC deduction notification immediately after using the expressway today might be due to delayed deductions. Since ETC doesn't deduct fees in real-time, it's normal not to see a deduction record right after passing through. The deduction record will appear naturally after a few days when the fee is processed. How ETC works: Through the onboard electronic tag installed on the vehicle's windshield, specialized short-range communication is established with the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at toll stations. This utilizes computer networking technology to perform backend settlement processing with banks, achieving the purpose of vehicles passing through expressway or bridge toll stations without stopping while still paying the required fees. ETC usage precautions: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. When encountering a stationary vehicle ahead, maintain a distance of over 10 meters to prevent automatic fee payment for the vehicle ahead, in case its ETC device is malfunctioning or non-existent. The recognized passing speed in ETC lanes is 20km/h. Excessive speed will prevent reading vehicle device information and may cause fee deduction failure. Unauthorized removal or movement of OBU devices, or detachment/loosening of ETC electronic tags will render the tag ineffective. These can be taken to the bank where the ETC card was issued or to expressway service centers for inspection. For non-intentional loosening or detachment, simply reactivate the device. When using debit cards bound to ETC, insufficient balance may cause deduction failure. Follow on-site staff guidance to use manual MTC lanes with cash or card payments. Overly thick windshields may cause poor signal reception. This is particularly noteworthy for vehicles that have had windshield replacements after accidents or for those with modified front windshields.
The first time I used ETC on the highway, I also encountered this situation. I was really anxious when I didn’t receive the SMS notification for half a day after getting home. Later, I called the bank and learned that ETC system deductions often have delays—sometimes it takes two or three days to show up, especially during holidays when traffic is heavy. If your linked bank card has SMS alerts enabled, remember to check if your phone automatically blocks such notifications. Additionally, if the ETC device is out of battery or loosely installed, the toll station might not scan it, but in such cases, staff will contact you for payment. I recommend logging into the ETC app to check real-time transaction records—it’s much more reliable than SMS. If there’s still no record after a week, then visit a service point to check the device status.
