2025 Edition | Pay Your Automobile Tax and Light Vehicle Tax with Electronic Money for Great Savings! Comprehensive Comparison of Point Rewards and Campaigns
Introduction
For those who own cars or motorcycles, May each year is the payment period for "automobile tax" and "light vehicle tax." While cash, bank transfers, and convenience store payments were the mainstream methods, we now live in an era where you can pay hassle-free and even earn rewards through points and campaigns by utilizing e-money and smartphone payment apps.
"If I have to pay anyway, I want to do it as cost-effectively as possible!" For those people, we've compiled all the knowledge you need about paying automobile tax and light vehicle tax via e-money and smartphone payments as of 2025.
What Taxes Can Be Paid with E-Money and Smartphone Payments?
Automobile tax and light vehicle tax can be paid via e-money and smartphone payments in most municipalities. By scanning the barcode or QR code (eL-QR) printed on the payment slip with a smartphone app, you can pay anytime, anywhere, 24 hours a day.
Main Applicable Taxes
- Automobile tax (category tax)
- Light vehicle tax (category tax)
Benefits of E-Money and Smartphone Payments
- 24-hour payment from home - No need to go to banks or convenience stores if you have a smartphone.
- No cash required, no fees - Many services have no payment processing fees and no need to prepare cash.
- Great value through point rewards and campaigns - Depending on the service, point rewards based on payment amount and lottery campaigns are offered.
Comprehensive Comparison of Major E-Money and Smartphone Payment Services
*Point rewards are only when charging. May not be eligible for rewards at time of payment.
Rakuten Pay
- Point reward rate: 0.5% (when charging Rakuten Cash from Rakuten Card)
- Rakuten Points can be applied, including limited-time points
- Easy payment by simply scanning the barcode on the payment slip
- Campaigns and lotteries are held regularly
- Note: Tax payment certificate is not issued immediately, be careful when paying just before vehicle inspection
PayPay
- Free of charge, payment possible 24 hours anywhere
- No point rewards (as of April 2025)
- Lotteries and benefits available through campaigns
- May count toward PayPay Step conditions
- Note: Cannot be used after payment deadline, availability varies by municipality
au PAY
- 1% reward when charging from au PAY Card GOLD
- Campaigns such as "Tanuki Lottery" available
- Lotteries to win Ponta Points are also held
- Note: Many campaigns require entry
d Barai
- Basically no point rewards
- Campaigns such as "Share 10 million points" available
- Must pay with d Barai balance
nanaco & WAON
- nanaco: 0.5% reward when charging from credit card
- WAON: 0.5% reward with auto-charge from AEON Card Select
- Seven-Eleven and Ministop only
- Can also pay automobile tax with points
- Note: Credit cards that can be charged are limited
Notable Campaign Information for 2025
- Rakuten Pay: 0.5% reward when charging from Rakuten Card, limited-time points can be used
- au PAY: "Tanuki Lottery" and Ponta Point lottery
- d Barai: Share 10 million points campaign (up to 200 points)
- Pay-easy: Lottery to win 10,000 yen cash or e-GIFT (until July 2)
- J-Coin Pay: Up to 30% reward for new users, lottery for 10,000 yen bonus
Entry is often required for campaigns, so check the latest information on each service's official website.
Important Points for E-Money Payment
- Point rewards are often only "when charging" - Points are often not awarded at the time of actual payment, so check the charging method in advance.
- Timing of tax payment certificate issuance - With electronic payments, tax payment certificates are not issued immediately. Be careful when paying just before vehicle inspection.
- Cannot be used after payment deadline - Some municipalities do not allow e-money payments after the payment deadline has passed.
- Supported services vary by municipality - Check available services on your municipality's official website or payment slip in advance.
Recommended for These People! E-Money Payment
- Those who are too busy during the day to go to banks or convenience stores
- Those who want to save money by earning points
- Those who are familiar with smartphone payments
- Those who have cards with high point reward rates such as Rakuten Card or au PAY Card
Summary | Be Smart and Save with "E-Money Payment" in 2025!
By utilizing e-money and smartphone payment services for automobile tax and light vehicle tax payments, you can complete them hassle-free and "cost-effectively" through point rewards and campaigns. Rakuten Pay and au PAY in particular are overwhelmingly recommended over cash payments due to their abundant point rewards when charging and campaigns.
Since payment methods and campaigns are updated every year, check the latest information and save wisely. "If you have to pay anyway, make it as cost-effective as possible!" Get through this year's automobile tax and light vehicle tax smartly with e-money payment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. When do I receive points for e-money payment?
A. In most cases, points are awarded when you charge e-money from a credit card. Points are often not awarded at the time of payment, so pay attention to the charging method.
Q. What about the tax payment certificate?
A. With electronic payments, tax payment certificates are not issued immediately. Payment information is digitized and reflected in the Transportation Bureau and other offices in about 2 weeks. If it's just before vehicle inspection, payment at convenience stores or financial institutions is recommended.
Q. Which e-money is the most cost-effective?
A. Rakuten Card + Rakuten Pay and au PAY Card + au PAY are especially recommended in terms of point reward rates and campaigns. nanaco and WAON can also earn point rewards when charging.
Reference: Latest Campaign and Reward Rate List for 2025 (as of April 2025)
Review your payment method and save wisely this year too!