ETC FAQ | Two-wheel Vehicle

【Outline】 【Operation】 【ETC Card】 【OBE】

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Q1.What is ETC? How does it work? How can I use it? How much does it cost?
The ETC (short for "Electronic Toll Collection") system allows drivers to pay toll automatically using electronic transaction between toll booths and your car. You can pass through the toll gate smoothly and comfortably.
The way ETC works:
At a toll booth in an ETC lane, the payment data is transmitted by radio from your ETC on-board equipment (OBE) with ETC card inserted to the roadside antenna. Thus,the payment is automatically made without man-to-man payment.
To use the ETC system, an ETC card and an OBE for a two-wheel vehicle are necessary.
ETC cards are issued by credit card companies; OBEs are sold at two-wheel vehicle shops and two-wheel vehicle's ETC shops indicated by an ETC sticker. You need to buy and install the OBE in your vehicle and register (setup) necessary information about your vehicle. You need to pay the costs for purchase, installation and setup of the OBE and the necessary fees for issuance of the ETC card.
Q2.How about the information security?
Payment is made with an IC card (the ETC card) which has a higher level of security than a magnetic card. In addition, an advanced encryption technology is used in both the OBEs and the roadside equipment to ensure a sufficient level of security.
Q3.Is privacy protection ensured? Why is my automobile inspection certificate required?
The user's information is stored in ETC card as an encrypted data. Likewise, vehicle information is also encrypted and stored in OBE (setup).
In addition, radio communication between OBE and roadside device is also encrypted. Thus, your private information is kept confidential. Your automobile inspection certificate is required to fill out the setup application form.
Q4.Can I use my ETC card while driving a rental or another person's two-wheel vehicle?
ETC cards and OBEs work independently from each other, thus, every card can be used in any OBEs, which means your ETC card can be used in any vehicles with OBE.
The toll amount will be deducted from the credit account of ETC card holder.
Q5.What is the background on the introduction of ETC for two-wheel vehicle?
The aim of ETC system is to enhance convenience for motorcyclists and to ease heavy traffic congestion. Without ETC, motorcyclists have to stop at toll booths and remove their helmets to pay tolls. Since they require more time than 4-wheel vehicle drivers to make payment, reducing motorcyclists payment time will reduce the amount of congestion at booths.
As motorcyclist participation is necessary to the reduction of congestion at booths, programs and services are being planned to encourage use. Currently there are various discount campaigns targeted at motorcyclists.
Q6.Where can I use the ETC system?
Please see"here" for more details.(Japanese only)
Q7.Isn't ETC influenced by radio waves from mobile phones or TV sets?
It does not pose a problem as the ETC system uses exclusively a high frequency band of the 5.8 GHz.

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Q8.How many toll gates are in service?
As of the end of March 2009, the ETC system is available on expressways and at main toll ways throughout Japan. Out of 1,451 tollbooths, 1,426 use the system. When driving through a toll booth, please drive inside the indicated lane on roads.
Q9.Can I find ETC lanes easily?
Lane indicators will guide you to the ETC lanes. Please drive through the lane slowly.
Q10.What is the speed limit on the ETC or ordinary lanes?
You should drive less than 20km/h or at a safer speed. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead as it may stop abruptly.
Q11.Having entered a toll road using the ETC system, how can I exit the toll gate without ETC lanes?
Drive into a lane with an attendant, stop and pass him/her your ETC card to make payment without cash.
Q12.How can I exit from an ETC lane if entered from a general lane at the entrance? (Reverse case of Q11)
You cannot exit using ETC system in that case.
As in the previous answer to Q11, pass the gate attendant your entering ticket and your ETC card to make payment by cashless (Payment in cash is also available.)
Q13.What should I do if I forget my ETC card or my OBE is broken?
If the ETC card is not inserted in your OBE, you cannot use the ETC system. You should use the ordinary lanes in that case.
If your OBE is broken or ETC card is not inserted in correct position, the bar ahead in the ETC lane will not go up and you will see an error message on your OBE or on roadside indicator.
Please follow the instruction given in Q17.
Q14.Are there any toll discounts for ETC users?
Yes, there are various discounts. Please see "here" for more details. (Japanese Only)
Q15.Can I receive a receipt?
A receipt cannot be issued instantly, however, see ".here" for more details.(Japanese only)
Q16.Should the ETC card be the same at the entrance and the exit?
The ETC card you use should be the same one at the entrance and at the exit.
Q17.What should I do if the ETC system does not work properly at a toll booth?
Follow the directions given on the interphone. Your ETC card may not be inserted properly or there may be other problems with the ETC card itself, the OBE, or the toll booth you are using.
In the case the bar does not go up, please watch carefully and move out of the ETC lane, avoiding the bar. Do not go back, turn around, or move to another lane. In this case, stop at a parking area or some safe area, contact a company that manages ETC lanes, and follow the guidance.
Q18.What should I do if I change my two-wheel vehicle or transferred my OBE to someone?
In either case, you need to setup the OBE again. Please note that all related costs will once again be incurred.

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Q19.What kind of card is the ETC card?
It is an IC card that enables you to use the ETC system.
There are various types of cards;
ETC credit card issued by credit card companies
ETC corporate cards issued by NEXCO Eastern/Central/Western Japan
ETC personal cards issued by NEXCO Eastern/Central/Western Japan, Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited, Hanshin Expressway Company Limited, and Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company Limited ETC cards store the encoded data necessary to allow automatic payment of tolls and a secure and quick exchange of information .
For questions about ETC cards issued by credit card companies, please make any inquiries to the following issuers: # *JCB Co.,Ltd., *Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co., Ltd., *Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS Co., Ltd., *Citi Cards Japan, Inc., *UC Card Co., Ltd, *American Express International. Inc., *AEON Credit Service Co., Ltd, *Credit Saison Co., Ltd., *Toyota Finance Corp., *Orient Corp., *Cedyna Financial Corp.,
Q20.How do I settle the payment? What should I do if I receive an unsubstantiated billing statement?
Likewise you may settle your payment using ordinary credit cards, you will receive a billing statement monthly and the tolls will be deducted from your bank account on a given date.
If you receive an unsubstantiated statement, please contact your credit card company. Regarding ETC corporate cards, please contact the company that makes the payment that claims.
Q21.Can I use my ETC card as a credit card?
It depends on the ETC card you use. Please contact your credit card company.
Q22.How and when can I apply for an ETC card? Are there any restrictions?
Applicants of ETC cards issued by credit card companies will be required to pass a credit check and meet the necessary requirements. Please contact your credit card company for more details.
To make a family card or for any other questions,　please inquire with your credit card company.

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Q23.Where, when, and at what price can I get an OBE? What should I do if it needs to be repaired?
OBEs are available at domestic manufacturers of motorcycles, national two-wheel vehicle chain stores, leading two-wheel vehicle dealerships, and imported two-wheel vehicle dealerships. Many of them deal in setting up OBEs for two-wheel vehicles, so please refer to the link for ETC shops on this website.
For prices or features, and also for the repair of your OBE, please consult with them.
Q24.Can I confirm the operation of the OBE before putting it into actual use?
If the OBE has been properly installed, function and operation will be automatically confirmed when the ETC card is inserted.
For more details, please inquire with the ETC shop or manufacturer of OBE.
Q25.What kinds of indicators or messages will be showen up on site?
Usually, the operation of OBEs is indicated by a lamp. However, please ask ETC shops or OBE's manufacturers about the details since it depends on the products.
Q26.How should I installed OBE in a motorcycle?
An OBE must be installed in compliance with the operation manual, so please contact manufacturers and have them install it.
After it is installed, do not change the angle or the placement of the antenna or cover the installation area with anything.
Q27.Can I install an OBE in a 6V two-wheel vehicle, or in an imported one?
Two-wheel vehicles' OBEs in the market are only for DC12V, not be able to adapt to 6V two-wheel vehicles. Whether domestic or imported, some vehicles will have difficulty with installation. For more details, please contact installation shops.
Q28.It is possible to install an OBE for a four-wheel vehicle onto a two-wheel vehicle?
Please install the OBE appropriate to your vehicle to ensure waterproofness, dust-resistance and resistance to vibration.
A four-wheeler OBE cannot be installed on a two-wheel vehicle.
Based on the terms of ETC use, it is prohibited to use an OBE for a different vehicle, which means that using a car OBE on a two-wheel vehicle is not allowed.
Q29.Why can't a vehicle under 125cc use the ETC system?
Since there are not enough ETC lanes for vehicles under 125cc on toll roads, they are not allowed to enter. In any case, vehicles under 125cc are not allowed to be driven on expressways.
Q30.What is the setup and what should I do for it?
Setup is a necessary procedure to make use of the OBE, in which your vehicle information is encrypted and registered in your OBE.
Setup is required in the following cases:
(1). When you buy a new OBE,
(2). When you transfer your OBE to another vehicle,
(3). When you change the license plate
To apply, please carefully read  Points to consider when using ETC fortwo-wheel vehiclers , fill out the application form and submit it to your local ETC shop.
*Your privacy information other than vehicle information will not be registered in your OBE.
Q31.How much does it cost to install an OBE on a two-wheel vehicle?
As it varies from shop to shop, please inquire at the shop beforehand. The installation cost includes labor costs, communication costs, terminal-use and management costs, and the encrypted vehicle data processing fee.
To maintain and coordinate the system necessary for offering setup information and processed data for identification, ORSE requires ETC administrators charge 525 yen for online-setup, 1,050 yen for offline-setup per setup operation (includes sales tax).
Online set-up allows information to be received via internet. Offline set-up allows information to be received by FAX or by mail. In 2009, ORSE and our partners have been on a promotion campaign for the ETC system.
Please view “ETC setup shops for two-wheel vehicles”
Q32.What is ''encrypted vehicle data ''? Is there any kind of support (grant) program for the setup?
For maintaining the setup system necessary for OBE setup for the data storage and encryption of vehicle data of the user, ORSE charges the agency of ETC shops 525 yen for online-setup and 1,050 yen for offline-setup (tax included) per one setup task.
Online set-up allows information to be received via internet. Offline set-up allows information to be received by FAX or by mail.
In 2009, ORSE and our partners have been on a promotion campaign for the ETC system.
If you use a shop participating in this campaign, the cost of online set-up is free and offline set-up is 525 yen including tax. To find shops participating in this campaign, please refer to the link for ETC shops for two-wheel vehicles on this website.
Q33.Why do I need to register my personal information to use ETC for two wheelers?
If a two-wheel vehicle has an accident, for example if it is hit by another vehicle from behind, the ETC may sustain more serious damage than that of a four-wheeler.
Therefore, ORSE requires that ETC shops explain to all two-wheel vehicle ETC users the risks, and keep them informed as needed.
ORSE also asks that two-wheel-vehicle-ETC users get out of the ETC lane avoiding the bar while four-wheeler-ETC users are asked to stop in front of the bar in case of an emergency. If such a case occurs, we may ask two-wheel-vehicle ETC users to verify if payment was made smoothly and correctly.
Q34.Can I use the ETC system for two wheelers without giving up my personal information?
We are obliged to keep ETC lanes safe, keep ETC users informed, and make the payment system work even in an emergency.
Therefore, we have no choice but to decline your use of ETC if you are not able to agree to offer your private information.
Q35.What is the purpose of registering my personal information?
Expressway companies can use your private information according to need for the following:
To keep two-wheel-vehicle-users updated on the use of ETC, to contact users for proper payment in case of an emergency.
To offer services exclusively for two-wheel-vehicle-users.

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