Registration Process
How to Get Your ETC Card
From application to driving on Japan's expressways — 8 clear steps with everything explained.
Before You Apply — What You'll Need
Long White Shaken Form
Your vehicle inspection certificate. This long white document proves your car is registered and roadworthy.
ETC Setup Document
Proof your ETC device is installed and registered. Get it from Autobacs or Yellow Hat when your device is set up.
Security Deposit
40,000 yen refundable deposit (can be split into 2 payments of 20,000 yen via credit card).
Vehicle in Your Name
Your vehicle must be registered in your name. Plate number must match your Shaken and ETC documents.
Don't have these documents yet? Learn more about required documents
Watch the full registration process in under 6 minutes
Click any step to expand or collapse details.
Application Submission
Complete our online registration form to get started.
- Click the "APPLY FOR ETC CARD" button at the top-right of our website and complete all required fields.
- After submission you are logged in automatically and redirected to review the User Agreement.
User Agreement
Review and accept our service terms to proceed.
- Click "Begin User Agreement" to review our service terms.
- Accept the agreement by clicking the confirmation button to continue.
Vehicle Registration & ETC Unit Setup
We'll need your long white Shaken form and ETC Setup document for verification.
- Submit your long white Shaken form (vehicle registration) and your ETC Setup document.
- If you don't have an ETC unit yet, visit Autobacs or Yellow Hat to get one registered in your name and matched to your license plate.
- Our staff will verify the documents. Once verified, we register your ETC card to the Mileage Program so you receive maximum discounts.
Beware of Same-Day ETC Card Services
Some providers lend cards through non-compliant processes — a violation of NEXCO's Terms of Use. Improper registration can result in lost discounts, toll record mismatches, and suspension of service.
Our Process is 100% Compliant
- Your name is registered to the card — your customer ID appears directly on the ETC card
- Your ETC unit, license plate, name, and ETC card are registered with the official ETC Mileage Service
- We verify the ETC unit and license plate match the submitted documents
- We strictly follow NEXCO compliance and public policy guidelines
Submission Methods
- Hand-delivery at our Yokosuka Office
- Secure online upload
- Email scanned documents to support@JapanETCcard.com
- Email high-resolution mobile photos
Note: Vehicle must be registered in your name.
Security Deposit
Pay your refundable security deposit. Billing runs two months behind.
- Minimum ¥40,000 refundable deposit — pay in one lump sum, or split into two payments of ¥20,000 (second payment is collected on your first billing cycle).
- Each additional ETC card requires a ¥20,000 additional deposit. All deposits are fully refundable.
- Enter your friend's referral code before submitting your deposit so they receive the ¥3,000 credit.
Primary ETC Card
¥40,000- • Credit Card: ¥40,000 one-time OR ¥20,000 × 2
- • Bank Transfer: ¥40,000 one-time
Additional Cards
¥20,000 eachNeed another card for a second vehicle? Additional cards require only ¥20,000 deposit.
Card Activation and Testing
Our team fully activates and tests your card, links it to your ETC unit, and registers it to the Mileage Network before it leaves our office.
- Your card is fully activated, tested, and linked to your ETC unit, and registered to the Mileage Network for your primary vehicle.
- You can use your ETC card on your vehicle, and on any other vehicle legally registered to the ETC network.
- Insert your ETC card into the ETC unit with the black arrow facing forward.
- A blue or green light indicates correct insertion. A red light means re-insert.
- For your first toll usage, limit driving distance to under 20 km.
ETC Card Receiving (pickup or shipping)
Ship or pick up your card at our Yokosuka office — or have it delivered anywhere in Japan.
- It typically takes about 1 week for us to receive your ETC card from the issuer.
- You can pick up your card at our office in Yokosuka, or we can have it shipped anywhere in Japan via tracked courier (1–3 business days).
- You will receive email notifications with tracking information as your card is en route.
Delivery Requirements
- A valid physical address is required — no PO Boxes or FPO/APO
- For on-base deliveries, provide your building number
- Gate delivery requires a valid Japanese phone number
- International phone numbers are NOT accepted for delivery coordination
Preferred Delivery Time Slots
Monthly Billing
Pay only when you drive — no usage means no charge.
- Your invoice is charged on the last day of each month for the previous month's ETC usage.
- If you didn't use your ETC card, you will have no charge — there is no fee when there is no usage. Great for those deployed or who come and go from Japan frequently.
- Your credit card on file is automatically charged, or you can pay by Japanese bank transfer.
Billing Timeline
| Invoice Date | Covers |
|---|---|
| July 31, 2025 | June 2025 |
| August 31, 2025 | July 2025 |
| September 30, 2025 | August 2025 |
Payment Policy
- •7 days from invoice date to complete payment
- •Unpaid invoices are marked past due
- •Past-due accounts may have ETC card temporarily disabled
Cancellation & Deposit Refund
Simple online cancellation — submit your request and get your full deposit back.
- Submit a cancellation request online through your Dashboard → Cancellation Page.
- Destroy your ETC card including the chip and provide photo evidence of the destroyed card. It is important to show the chip is destroyed.
- After your last billing cycle, we process and refund your full security deposit.
Deposit Refund Amounts
¥4,000 Manual Processing Fee
If you cannot provide proof of chip destruction, a ¥4,000 fee is deducted from your refund.
60-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Not satisfied within 60 days? Full deposit refund, setup and monthly fees waived — no questions asked.
* Toll charges and ETC unit installation costs are non-refundable.
Know Someone Driving in Japan?
Get ¥3,000 ETC Credit
Share your Referral ID and earn rewards. No limit — every successful signup gives you ¥3,000 after 90 days.
Learn More60-Day Free Trial • No Contract • Cancel Anytime