“I heard the ETC late-night discount is changing, but when does it actually start? What’s changing?” You’ll see questions like this all over social media.
In 2024, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the three NEXCO companies (East, Central, and West Nippon Expressway) announced a review of the late-night discount. It was originally scheduled to start in March 2025, but it has been postponed due to ETC system problems. As of March 2026, the official timing is now “fiscal 2026 or later.”
This guide explains how the new late-night discount system works, including the later rebate method, and walks you through the ETC Mileage Service registration you’ll want to take care of now.
What’s Different From the Current Late-Night Discount? 3 Key Changes
First, let’s get a quick handle on the difference between the current late-night discount and the new version.
| Current system | New system after the change | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible hours | Midnight to 4 a.m. | 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day (expanded by 3 hours) |
| What gets discounted | The entire trip, as long as any part of it falls within the late-night window | Only the portion actually driven during the late-night window |
| How you receive the discount | Instant discount at the toll gate | Later rebate on the 20th of the following month, as points |
| Discount rate | 30% | 30% from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.; 20% during the 10 p.m. hour during the transition period |
Change 1: The eligible window expands to 10 p.m. through 5 a.m.
This part is good news. The current window of midnight to 4 a.m. expands to 10 p.m. through 5 a.m. In other words, if you use expressways late at night, it should be easier to qualify for some discount.
Change 2: The discount applies only to the distance you actually drive during the eligible hours
This is the biggest change. Under the current system, for example, if you get on the expressway at 11 p.m. and get off at 6 a.m., your entire trip gets 30% off as long as you drive even a little between midnight and 4 a.m.
Under the new system, only the distance you actually drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. will be eligible for the discount. Any driving before or after that late-night window is charged at the regular rate.
According to NEXCO Central’s official page, one reason for the change is safety: some drivers were speeding to increase the discounted distance, while others were parking for long periods to wait for midnight.
Change 3: The discount won’t be taken off instantly at the toll gate
Under the new system, you’ll first pay the regular toll when you drive. Then, on the 20th of the following month, the discount amount will be returned as free driving credits through the ETC Mileage Service.
So instead of “paying less on the spot,” it becomes a “get points back later” system. That’s the part people on social media are talking about when they ask whether this is effectively a price hike.
When Does the New System Start? A Timeline of the Delays
The start date for the new system has been pushed back several times. Here’s the timeline.
- July 2024: The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announces the review will start at the end of March 2025
- March 2025: The three NEXCO companies announce a delay to around July 2025
- April 6, 2025: A major ETC system outage occurs within NEXCO Central’s service area, caused by corrupted card judgment data
- May 28, 2025: The three NEXCO companies announce another postponement and say the new start date will be announced later
- October 30, 2025: The Japan Highway Information Center (JAHIC) reports that the rollout will be in fiscal 2026 or later
As of March 2026, there’s still no specific start date. The three NEXCO companies say they’ll announce the timing once they finish creating travel history data and testing the equipment used to calculate rebate amounts.
In short, the current system is still in effect for now: midnight to 4 a.m., with 30% off the entire trip. Still, the switch could happen after the necessary testing is complete, so it’s smart to get ready now.
You’ll Need to Register for ETC Mileage Service to Receive the Discount
This is the most important thing to watch. Under the new system, if you’re not registered for the ETC Mileage Service, you won’t receive the late-night discount at all.
With the current system, you just insert your ETC card and drive during the late-night window, and the 30% discount is applied automatically. Under the new system, though, only registered ETC cards will be eligible.
If you use an ETC Corporate Card for business, you won’t need to complete a separate procedure. But if you’re using a personal ETC card, ETC Mileage registration is required.
According to the official ETC Mileage Service website, registration is free, with no annual fee. There’s no downside to registering, so if you haven’t done it yet, it’s worth taking care of now.
How to Register for ETC Mileage Service in About 5 Minutes
You can register online in about five minutes. Here’s what you’ll need and how the process works.
What to prepare
- Your ETC card with the card number and expiration date
- Your ETC onboard unit management number, a 19-digit number shown on a sticker on the device or on your setup application documents
- Your vehicle number, meaning the four digits on your license plate
- Your email address
Registration steps
- Go to the ETC Mileage Service new registration page
- Enter your email address and submit it
- Click the link in the email you receive
- Enter your ETC card number, onboard unit management number, vehicle number, and other details
- Receive your Mileage ID and password in the registration completion email
If you’re not comfortable registering online, you can also fill out a paper application from a service area (SA) or parking area (PA) on the expressway and mail it in. Mail-in applications take about two to three weeks, so it’s better to start early.
If you don’t know your onboard unit management number
A lot of people ask, “Where do I find the onboard unit management number?” There are three common ways to check.
- The sticker on the ETC unit itself, often placed behind the dashboard or visor
- The setup application or completion certificate from when the ETC unit was installed
- An auto parts store or dealer that can help you check it
Who Benefits From the New System, and Who Loses Out?
The new system isn’t automatically worse for everyone. Whether it helps or hurts depends on how you use the expressway.
People who may benefit
- People who use the expressway between 10 p.m. and midnight: This time period wasn’t eligible under the current system, but it will be under the new one
- People who drive between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m.: This also becomes newly eligible
- People who often take short late-night trips: The portion driven during the eligible hours should still receive the 30% rebate
People who may lose out
- People who used to take long trips crossing midnight: Under the current system, the whole trip could be 30% off; under the new system, only the late-night portion is discounted
- People who haven’t registered for ETC Mileage: They won’t receive the discount at all
- People who use expressways only once or twice a year: Their rebate points may expire before they use them, since the expiration date is the end of the following fiscal year
Long-distance truck drivers and people who drive long distances overnight to visit family are especially likely to see higher costs in some cases. That said, as a five-year transition measure, additional discounts are expected for users whose total trip distance is 1,000 km or more.
FAQ
When does the new late-night discount start?
As of March 2026, it’s scheduled for “fiscal 2026 or later”, but no specific start date has been announced. The three NEXCO companies plan to make another announcement after system testing is complete. Until the new system begins, the current late-night discount still applies: midnight to 4 a.m., with 30% off the full trip.
What happens if I don’t register for ETC Mileage Service?
Under the new system, if you’re not registered for ETC Mileage Service, the late-night discount won’t apply at all. Registration is free, and there’s no annual fee, so if you might use expressways late at night, it’s worth registering now.
When and how can I use the later rebate points?
The late-night discount rebate is added as free driving credits in the ETC Mileage Service on the 20th of the following month. It’s automatically applied to future expressway tolls. However, the credits expire at the end of the following fiscal year, in late March, so if you don’t use expressways often, watch the expiration date.
What if I use an ETC Corporate Card?
If you use an ETC Corporate Card for business, you don’t need to register separately for ETC Mileage Service. The discount under the new system will be applied automatically through the corporate card system.
What happens to holiday discounts and weekday morning/evening discounts?
This review applies only to the late-night discount. As of March 2026, no changes have been announced for the holiday discount, which gives 30% off on weekends and national holidays, or the weekday morning/evening discount. However, an expansion of the long-distance tapering discount system is also planned alongside the late-night discount changes.
References
- Review of the Expressway Late-Night Discount — NEXCO Central
- ETC System Outage Causes Major Confusion: Three Key Changes to the Late-Night Discount Planned From July 2025 — JAF Mate Online, April 30, 2025
- Expressway Late-Night Discount Review to Begin in Fiscal 2026 or Later — Japan Highway Information Center (JAHIC), October 30, 2025
- 2025 Update: What’s Changing With the Late-Night Discount? Three Changes and Three Things to Watch — Information Communication System Cooperative
- New Registration Steps — Official ETC Mileage Service
