ETC Guide

What is ETC?

ETC is a system for paying tolls by wireless communication between in-vehicle ETC device and antenna on expressway tollgates.

For smooth passage

You can smoothly pass through toll gates, so in addition to preventing traffic jams, customers don't need to spend time on payment.

For smooth passage

Not harmful to the surrounding environment

Moreover, since there is no need to repeatedly stop when paying the toll, the surrounding environment is improved through reduced noise around toll gates and reduced emissions.

Not harmful to the surrounding environment

How to use ETC

A vehicle with a special ETC on-board device and an ETC card are required to use ETC.

1. Check the ETC card's expiration date.

ETC cards have an expiration date. There are increasing cases of accidents and traffic jams caused by entering a toll gate without realizing that the expiration date has passed. Always check the ETC card's expiration date before using it.

2. Insert the ETC card.

Firmly insert the ETC card into the ETC on-board device. If the card is not fully inserted or not inserted at all, the toll gate will not open, which may cause traffic jam or an accident.

3. Check ETC supported lanes.

Always check if the toll gate you are passing is an ETC lane or not. Moreover, do not enter an ETC lane if the signal light is red.

Check ETC supported lanes.

4. Slow down to a speed of 20 km/h or less.

Slow down to a speed of 20 km/h or less at toll gates, confirm that "↑ ETC" is displayed on the roadside sign set up near the toll gate, and that the gate has opened, and always pass through at a reduced speed. The gate may not open if the passage speed is too fast.

5. Maintain adequate distance between vehicles.

There is no general requirement to stop in an ETC lane, but the gate may not open due to an expired ETC card in the car in front. Be sure to slow down enough and maintain adequate distance between vehicles.

6. Check that you passed through properly.

If there is an "error" notification from the ETC on-board device after the gate opened at the entrance toll gate and you had passed through the ETC lane, proceed to a "cash lane" with toll gate personnel at the exit toll gate instead of the ETC lane, and let the personnel know that the ETC did not work at the entrance point.

Usage

Tolls

The toll varies by vehicle type and use distance. See here for details.
・The notification place for passage tolls is at the "exit point" (toll notifications are only for "audio navigation type ETC on-board device).

Example: For use of entrance with a toll gate
Example: For use of entrance without a toll gate

Considerations when using ETC

  • If wireless ETC communication did not work due to the card not being inserted at an entry or exit point with no toll gate, please be advised that the toll may be higher than actual use.
  • If you did not use the same card from entry point to exit point, please be advised that the toll may be higher than actual use in that case.
  • Example of an incorrect toll due to failed wireless ETC communication
    According to the "Example of passing from an entry point with a toll gate", if remote ETC communication didn't work at the exit point, there is no record of getting off the Metropolitan Expressway, so the 300 JPY toll will become 1,950 JPY.
    According to the "Example of passing from an entry point without a toll gate", if wireless ETC communication didn't work at the entry point, there is no record of getting on the Metropolitan Expressway, so the 360 JPY toll will become 530 JPY.
  • Some discounts such as the environmental road pricing discount may not be applied if ETC wireless communication with the ETC antenna on the road is not possible. Please check here for the position of the ETC antenna. "Route check antenna position diagram"(PDF/770KB)
  • Please check using at connections for using on Tokyo Expressway(D8).

If there is no ETC on-board device, or there is one but it cannot be used (if an ETC use certificate is required)

  • If there is no ETC on-board device, or a use certificate is required, please hand over your ETC card to the toll gate personnel at an "ETC/cash shared lane" or "cash lane". However, in this situation the same toll will be applied as would be the case if cash were used.
  • See "For customers using cash" for how to pass through in the above situation. Moreover, please read "receipt" in these instructions as "use certificate".

ETC usage verification service

The "ETC usage verification service" is convenient for checking on an Internet page the usage details for both the Metropolitan Expressway and expressways operated by companies such as the East/Central/West Nippon Expressway Company Limited and the Hanshin Expressway Co., Ltd. A use certificate can also be issued.

  • The passage history will be reflected in about 4 to 5 hours after use (passing through the exit point).
  • The passage time displayed in the passage history is the entry point passage time.
  • If wireless ETC communication failed, the passage history will be reflected on the ETC usage verification service with a delay, which may last until the next day or longer.
    Shutoko Customer Center (03-6667-5855/ 7 days a week)

ETC usage history printers

"ETC usage history printers" are installed in Metropolitan Expressway parking areas. This printer prints the passage information recorded to your ETC card as a usage certificate.

  • The usage statement can be issued immediately after use (after passing through the exit point). No usage certificate can be issued before passing through the exit point.
About ETC usage history issuing printer

What happens in this case?

If you enter a toll gate without the ETC card inserted

Please enter the "cash lane" or "ETC/cash shared lane", stop in front of the toll gate, and hand the ETC card to the toll gate personnel after explaining your ETC passage. Then insert the returned ETC card into the ETC on-board device and proceed to the exit point.

  • *A beeping alert sounds from the ETC on-board device at the spot where there is an ETC antenna in front of the toll gate. See "Notification of ETC card not being inserted" for details.
  • *See "using motorcycle ETC" if you are using motorcycle ETC.
  • *If the toll gate often will not open even with the ETC card properly inserted, have the ETC on-board device inspected.
If you enter a toll gate without the ETC card inserted

If the gate didn't open at the toll gate

Please stop in front of the toll gate and hand the ETC card to the toll gate personnel after explaining your ETC passage. Then insert the returned ETC card into the ETC on-board device and proceed to the exit point.

If the toll gate didn't open at the toll gate

If you mistakenly entered the "cash lane"

Please stop in front of the toll gate personnel and hand the ETC card to the toll gate personnel after explaining your ETC passage. Then insert the returned ETC card into the ETC on-board device and proceed to the exit point.

When accidentally entering general lane

If you get off the Metropolitan Expressway due to a road closure, and are using it again

At toll gates used due to a detour, insert the ETC card used during wireless ETC passage at the initial toll gate into the ETC on-board device, proceed to the "ETC lane" or "ETC/cash shared lane", and pass through by wireless ETC passage.
Tolls will be corrected to the toll distance found by adding the travel distance from the initial entry point to the provisional exit with the travel distance from the second entry point to the final exit. It may not be adjusted depending on the detour route and detour time. If you have any questions, please contact Shutoko Customer Center (03-6667-5855/ 7 days a week). Furthermore, toll adjustments do not apply to detours attributable to the customer.

Example: For normal use
Example: For normal use

You will be notified of the toll based on the distance from the entrance toll booth A to exit point D at the exit point.

Example: If there was a road closure
Example: If there was a road closure

If you are using ETC, please travel with the same ETC card before exiting onto a local road (A-B) and during the second use (C-D). There are toll directions at both exit point B and exit point D, so the toll will be adjusted and charged based on the toll distance found by adding the toll distances of A-B and C-D.

If the passage toll remains unpaid

When you pass through the toll gate, if the passage toll remains unpaid due to passing through without the ETC card inserted, or to mistakenly passing through the "cash lane", please drive on to your destination. Later, please pay the unpaid passage toll by one of the following methods. On the other hand, if we were not notified with the toll remaining unpaid, it will be treated as an unauthorized passage, and the passage toll and additional charges will be charged using the surveillance camera (for catching unauthorized passages) installed at the lane. Always contact us.

Paying with an ETC card

Check the details of the following items 1 to 6 as carefully as possible, and contact Shutoko Customer Center (03-6667-5855/ 7 days a week).

  • (1) Your name and contact information
  • (2) ETC card number/expiration date
  • (3) Travel date
  • (4) The time at which you passed through both the entrance toll gate and the exit point (was the toll gate for inbound or outbound, to the east or to the west)
  • (5) Type of lane you passed through at the toll gate ("ETC-only", "ETC/cash", "lane number from the right", etc.)
  • (6) Vehicle number, vehicle type, vehicle name, vehicle color
  • *If the exit point information cannot be verified, the upper toll limit may be applied (1,950 JPY for standard vehicles).
  • *You cannot pay with the ETC card by reporting at a later date at a toll gate.

Paying without an ETC card

Please confirm the details of the following items 1 to 7 In advance, and contact us within 10 days after using the Metropolitan Expressway.
[Contact address]
Shutoko Customer Center (Tel: 03-6667-5855/Business hours:Open everyday)

  • 1. Your name
  • 2. Your address
  • 3. Your telephone number
  • 4. Vehicle number you used
  • 5. Name of the toll gate you used
  • 6. Date and time you used
  • 7. Payment methods you prefer (Pay-easy or convenience store payment (PayPay, auPAY, LINEPay, PayB compatible))
  • *Payment documents will be mailed at a later date, so please pay by the payment due date.
  • *A fee of 402 yen (tax included) will be charged separately by the customer.
  • *If you wish to pay without an ETC card, pay the base toll given in the table with an exception for some zones.
Vehicle classification Toll amount
Compact size vehicle, motocycle ¥1,590
Standard size vehicle ¥1,950
Middle size vehicle ¥2,310
Large size vehicle ¥3,110
Extra large size vehicle ¥5,080

Using ETC with a motorcycle

ETC can be used with motorcycles on nationwide expressways. Advantages of using ETC at toll gates include not needing to remove gloves, not needing to search for a wallet, and not losing time.

How to use

  • 1. Check the expiration date on the ETC card, and insert it firmly in the device.
  • 2. Slow down to 20 km/h or less, proceed to the "ETC/cash shared lane" or "cash lane", and drive on the left side of the lane.
  • 3. Check that the gate has opened, then slowly pass through.

Points of consideration when passing through the toll gate

Driving side-by-side, overtaking another vehicle, zigzagging, or driving obliquely will cause ETC to not function normally, and may lead to a serious accident.

Image of driving side-by-side, overtaking another vehicle, zigzagging, or driving obliquely

Never overtake a vehicle even if it is stopped in a toll gate lane due to traffic jam. It may lead to a serious accident.

Image of overtaking a vehicle

Vehicles driving in front may stop for an unknown reason. Maintain sufficient distance between vehicles in the toll gate lane, such that each vehicle passes through straight and slowly.

Image of maintaining sufficient space between vehicles in the toll gate lane

Do not drive in reverse, make a U-turn, or move to another lane while in a toll gate lane.

Image of driving in reverse, make a U-turn, or moving to another lane while in a toll gate lane

If the ETC lane is closed, move to another lane, paying due attention to vehicles in the rear. It is dangerous to force a lane change, so never do it.

Image of closed ETC lane

If STOP is displayed on the road-side display sign when passing through the toll gate, the gate will not open. Check that it is safe, then go around the toll gate and leave the ETC lane.

Image of road-side display sign

In this case, after getting off the expressway, or from a location where parking is not prohibited such as a parking area, check that it is safe, then notify the Expressway Company that manages the ETC lane as quickly as possible, and follow their instructions)

Image of motorcycle getting off the expressway

Motorcycles must use the special ETC on-board device for motorcycles!

The on-board device for four-wheel vehicles does not guarantee adequate water-resistance, dust-resistance, or vibration-resistance. To safely use ETC, be sure to mount an on-board device for motorcycles specified by an on-board device maker.

In addition, the system and service are built on the premise that remote communication will be carried out after the individual information of the vehicle on which it will be mounted such as license plate information has been registered on the on-board device to be installed. Since the registration information will be different if an on-board device for four-wheel vehicles is used for a motorcycle, services such as the usage verification service will be partially unavailable.

ETC use is regulated by "ETC system use rules". If violations of ETC system use rules persist, ETC use will be restricted, measures such as discontinuing the various discounts will be taken based on the "Expressway Management Regulations" of each expressway company, so please use ETC in compliance with the appropriate rules.

How to pay ETC tolls

Passage tolls by using the ETC system are paid by the credit card company. The timing of payments is based on your credit company. Contact the individual credit card companies for details.
Moreover, ETC cards are mainly issued by credit card companies and toll road management companies. Therefore, the owner of the ETC card pays the passage toll, not the owner of the on-board device.

About the ETC card

ETC card types

Broadly speaking there are two types of ETC cards.

  • ETC-only card

    ETC-only card

    A card that can only be used with the ETC system. This card is only capable of paying the ETC fare on toll roads.

  • All-in-one ETC card

    All-in-one ETC card

    An ETC card with the functions of a normal credit card. This card can be used on toll roads and commercial establishments which allow credit card payment.

ETC card member fee

The ETC card member fee may vary based on the type (basic, gold, etc.) of credit card. Contact the ETC card issuing company for details.

Customers are screened when applying for an ETC card.

An ETC card has the same functions as a credit card, so the screening is the same as for a credit card. In general, persons with a credit card will have no trouble being issued an ETC card if they submit an application to the same company, but contact the card company for details.