TRB will ban placement of RFIDs on headlights

Earlier this week, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced it has deferred the implementation of the “No RFID, insufficient load” penalization to 2025. With it, the implementation of new RFID guidelines and penalties under the Toll Regulatory Board's (TRB) JMC 2024-001 has been pushed back to the New Year.

While this will allow motorists more time to get RFID stickers before the new penalties are in place, as well as tollway operators additional months to improve their systems, the TRB is looking to make some changes to the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of JMC 2024-001.

One that immediately caught our attention was the placement of the RFID sticker. Currently, RFID stickers from either AutoSweep or EasyTrip can be placed on either the windshield or the headlights. Under the new JMC, however, the TRB wants to ban installing RFID stickers on the headlights.

According to the TRB, RFID stickers placed on headlights are more prone to damage and failure as they are exposed to the elements. With that, the TRB will only allow the installation of new RFID stickers on the windshields - which are placed inside the vehicle.

According to Atty. Alvin Carullo, TRB Executive Director, motorists who refuse to have their RFID stickers placed on the windshield will be fined under JMC 2024-001. Should motorists not abide by the policy, their vehicles can be placed under alert.

While the TRB's intention is to make sure RFID stickers last longer, will this new policy affect motorists who already have RFID tags on their vehicles' headlights? In addition, we're curious how will the TRB push this policy to motorists who already have window tints on their windshields.

Do you think the TRB's policy on only putting RFID stickers on windshields will be accepted by most motorists?