ETC onboard-unit management number & setup certificate — independent reference guide
A neutral, independent reference for the ETC onboard-unit (OBU), the 19-digit management number, and the setup certificate — the information needed to register on the official MEISAI Usage Inquiry Service.
Quick Answer
The ETC onboard-unit (OBU) management number is a 19-digit identifier unique to each OBU and is required when registering on the official MEISAI Usage Inquiry Service. It is printed on the setup certificate issued by certified setup vendors. JTR organises statements from a properly-registered MEISAI account into a daily PDF + CSV, so internal review and reimbursement preparation are easier.
Search intent → what this page covers
| Search intent | What this page covers |
|---|---|
| ETC OBU number | What the "OBU number" usually refers to (the 19-digit identifier) and where it is printed. |
| ETC OBU management number | Length (19 digits), main uses, and how to find it. |
| ETC setup certificate | The role of the certificate issued by certified setup vendors, typical fields, and retention guidance. |
| ETC re-setup | When re-setup is required (vehicle change, OBU transfer). Detailed flow lives in the dedicated re-setup guide. |
| MEISAI Inquiry Service registration | Why the OBU management number matters at MEISAI registration, with a link to the registration guide. |
| Vehicle change / ownership change | Confirmation points when the vehicle or its registered owner / user changes. |
※ Setup, re-setup, and certificate issuance are owned by certified setup vendors and the expressway operators.
When JTR helps
When you want to keep reviewing statements tied to your OBU after registering on the MEISAI Inquiry Service.
JTR organises statements from a properly-registered MEISAI account into a daily PDF + CSV to support the review workflow. See free trial →
1. Where this guide fits
Purchase, installation, setup, re-setup, ownership transfer, and vehicle-replacement work on the ETC onboard unit (OBU) are performed by certified setup shops, dealers, and aftermarket retailers (e.g. Autobacs). JTR is neither a setup vendor nor an issuer of setup certificates. This guide is an independent reference for confirming the 19-digit OBU management number and the setup certificate — both required when registering on the official MEISAI Usage Inquiry Service.
2. The OBU management number
The OBU management number is a 19-digit identifier unique to each onboard unit. It is required for MEISAI registration, ETC Mileage Service registration, and identity confirmation when accessing usage statements. It is printed on the setup certificate.
- Length: 19 digits
- Main uses: MEISAI registration, Mileage Service registration, statement identity confirmation
- Source: the setup certificate issued by the certified setup vendor
- If lost: contact the original setup vendor or your current vehicle dealer
3. The setup certificate
The setup certificate documents that the OBU has been registered against a specific vehicle. Typical fields: vehicle information, OBU management number, setup date. Current rules and formats are owned by certified setup operators and the expressway operators.
- Issued by: certified setup vendor (dealer / aftermarket retailer)
- Typical fields: vehicle info, 19-digit OBU number, setup date
- Retention: keep after registration — needed again at re-setup
- Format: paper or PDF, depending on the vendor
4. When re-setup is needed
- Vehicle replaced (moving the OBU to a new car)
- OBU moved to a different vehicle
- License plate changed (e.g. after a move)
- Vehicle owner or principal user changed
- Registered vehicle information changed
5. Relationship between the OBU management number and ETC usage records
The MEISAI service identifies users via a combination of the ETC card number and the OBU management number. Without the 19-digit number, MEISAI registration and statement download may not be possible. JTR is an independent service that organises statements from a properly-registered MEISAI account into a daily PDF + CSV — it does not perform setup, issue management numbers, or perform re-setup.