Why hasn't the ETC fee been deducted?
4 Answers
The reason why the ETC fee hasn't been deducted might be due to the ETC debit card, which records the fees first and deducts them uniformly at the end of the month on the settlement day. If the fee hasn't been deducted by the end of the month, you can call the bank or ETC customer service to inquire. After all, ETC is linked to a bank card and will appear on the credit report, so it is recommended that car owners proactively check. Below is an introduction to the bank cards bound to ETC: 1. Credit Card: Car owners don't need to top up the ETC card because it is bound to a credit card, which operates on a 'pass first, pay later' basis. If there isn't enough savings in the credit card, the system will automatically deduct from the credit limit. 2. Stored Value Card: The main function of a stored value card is basic transfers and it doesn't have an overdraft feature. Just like a mobile phone's SIM card, you can only make calls if there is money in it. Similarly, a stored value card can only be used for passage if there is money in the card. Car owners need to top up the stored value card in time to avoid delays on the highway and affecting their mood.
I've encountered several instances where the ETC didn't deduct the fee, and found there are mainly a few reasons. One is the ETC device running out of power or having poor contact, leading to failed detection, especially during hot summers when the car interior gets stuffy, this issue is particularly prone to happen. Another possibility is insufficient balance in the linked bank card or exceeding the credit card limit, causing the bank system to directly reject the deduction. The most annoying situation is when the ETC account is mistakenly blacklisted, possibly due to untimely updates after license plate information changes. Sometimes, the toll station's system can also malfunction; I once waited a long time at the highway exit before the fee deduction was successfully displayed. It's advisable to first check the mobile app for any unpaid fee records and also see if the OBU device's green light is still on. If not, go to a service point to have the device checked. Highway toll booth staff mentioned they deal with such cases daily, and timely handling won't affect subsequent passages.
I specifically asked the toll station staff about the issue of ETC not deducting fees, and their explanation was quite clear. The most common situation is that the OBU device is not firmly attached and becomes loose, or the front windshield has a metal film that blocks the signal. I learned this the hard way last time—it only worked after I reattached the OBU. Another possibility is incorrect vehicle registration information, such as a wrong letter in the license plate number, which naturally prevents recognition. Bank-related issues should not be overlooked either, as many people forget to renew their bank card binding when it expires. There’s also a lesser-known reason: new ETC users have a 1-hour activation period during which the barrier gate won’t lift. It’s advisable to first confirm there are no outstanding fees in the account, then check if the device is installed correctly. If all else fails, visit an ETC service point to check the backend records.
I have specialized in studying the working mechanism of ETC, and usually, there are three possibilities for non-deduction. OBU device failure is the most common, especially for machines used for more than three years. Bank card freezing also frequently occurs, such as insufficient credit limit or card loss. The toll system occasionally misses transactions, often encountering errors during system upgrades at highway toll stations. The solution is simple: first, check the transaction records with the APP, then try depositing money into the card and rebinding it. If the device is confirmed to be broken, replace it with a new one. The third-generation OBU devices now have much higher sensitivity.
