Via Verde is a well-known electronic toll system. It’s often seen as a significant national innovation. But what should you do if its yellow light flashes as you pass through a toll booth?
If that yellow light glows after you drive through a Via Verde lane, don’t worry. Your first step is to check for alerts. Open the Via Verde website or app, then go to “My Via Verde” and look for “Yellow Light Came On.”
If no alert pops up there, let’s explore some other common reasons. Check these points next:
First-Time Use or New Bank Card Activation
Are you new to Via Verde, or perhaps you’ve linked a new bank account? You need to activate your identifier device. Think of it as telling the system your payment method is ready.
- Insert the Multibanco card linked to the account you want Via Verde to charge.
- Choose “Payment and Other Services,” then “Transport,” then “Via Verde,” and finally “Activation.”
- Enter the payment reference number.
- Finish the process.
Via Verde suggests checking with your bank to see if you can do this from your home banking system. Remember, card activation might take two or three days to become active.
Expired Debit Card
What if your linked debit card has expired? This is a common hiccup. If it’s no longer valid for payments, you’ll need to update it at a Multibanco terminal.
- Insert the Multibanco card linked to the account for your Via Verde charges.
- Select “Payment and Other Services,” then “Transport,” then “Via Verde,” and “Replacement.”
- Enter the payment reference number.
- Complete the transaction.
Again, check with your bank if this operation is possible online. The card activation can take two or three days to finalize.
Incorrect Vehicle License Plate
Is the license plate of your current vehicle linked to your Via Verde identifier? Sometimes we switch cars or forget to update this detail. You can easily check and change your vehicle’s plate number under “My Via Verde” > “Vehicles and Identifiers.”
Identifier Placement
Also, make sure your identifier device is in the right spot. For cars, it should be firmly on the windshield. Motorcycles need it in the special bag that came with it. A misplaced device can’t communicate with the toll system.
Waiting for Identifier Replacement
What if you want to replace your identifier device ahead of time? If the “Replace Identifier” option isn’t yet available on “My Via Verde,” don’t worry. Just wait for Customer Service to reach out to you directly.
So, the next time that yellow light flashes at a Via Verde lane, you’ll know exactly what to do. Remember, the Via Verde online portal is a helpful resource for many other things too. You can check your trip history, see your points, get traffic alerts, settle any outstanding payments, or even request a new identifier device.