Motor Vehicles

Before Purchasing Your New Car

You must obtain an operator's permit to drive a vehicle in Okinawa. Registration requires possession of an operator's permit. The U.S. Forces, Japan Operator's Permit For Civilian Vehicle (USFJ Form 4EJ) is the only authorized permit, and it can be obtained from the POV licensing section of the Marine Corps Base Safety Installation Office at Camp Foster.

Just Like Buying a Car In the United States

The price of a car depends on the year, make, model, condition of the vehicle, etc. Unlike buying a car in the United States, the price of a car in Okinawa may vary with the amount of vehicle inspection, if any, which remains on the vehicle at the time of purchase.

Safety Inspection

Motor vehicles in Okinawa undergo a periodic safety inspection, and with few exceptions, the initial inspection is renewed every two years in conjunction with initial registration or re-registration requirements.

Japanese Compulsory Insurance (JCI)

Registration of a motor vehicle in Okinawa also requires a JCI. There must be sufficient JCI to cover the entire inspection period.

On average, the cost for a two-year policy is 13,000 yen. It pays for bodily injury or death of the other party, for which you are legally liable.

The limits of JCI are up to 30,000,000 Yen for death or permanent disability and up to 1,200,000 Yen for injury of each person per accident.

Additional Insurance

In addition to the JCI, current military regulations require all vehicle owners to purchase and maintain additional insurance.

The minimum insurance required is 3,000,000 Yen for property damage to the other party for which you are legally responsible, and 30,000,000 Yen bodily injury to the other party for which you are legally responsible.

The cost of this insurance varies with the military member's rank, age, the type of vehicle purchased and length of insurance policy.

Road Tax

Vehicle owners in Japan are required to pay an annual road tax. Mini-car (four-wheeled automobiles with an engine displacement of 660cc or less) and motorcycle road tax is a city tax paid to Japanese city offices in April.

All other road taxes are prefecture or state taxes paid to the Prefecture tax office personnel on some of the military installations in May of every year.

Payments made by U.S. forces personnel are discounted. The amount of tax is determined by the registration categories of the vehicle, which is indicated on the vehicle's number plate in small numbers to the right of the kanji for Okinawa.

Hands-free devices must be used while operating a motor vehicle on ALL military installations worldwide.

Registering your Vehicle On-Base

All vehicles owned by US Forces personnel assigned to Okinawa must be registered through the Joint Services Vehicle Registration Office (JSVRO). Vehicles are registered under the sponsor's name and there is a limit to the number of autos registered at one time.

Base Regulations

• Not 1 Drop, if you are driving: 
  • Drinking and driving, and illegal drugs are dealt with very severely by both Japanese and Military authorities.
• Seatbelts/Child Safety Seats:
  • Seatbelts must be worn at all times while driving on or off-base. Department of Transportation approved car seats are required for children under 40 lbs. and/or 4 years old.
• Vehicle Checks:
  • Japanese police perform periodic vehicle and driver inspections to ensure the vehicle conforms to safety standards and the driver is not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Accidents
  • Under Japanese law, all licensed drivers are professional drivers and, in the event of an accident that causes personal injury to another, they could be considered professionally negligent. Maximum penalties for professional negligence include up to five years imprisonment, a fine of 500,000 Yen or both.

Obtaining a Driver's License on Okinawa

In order for active duty personnel, civilian or family member to drive on Okinawa or mainland Japan, you must obtain a valid USFJ-4A, US Forces Japan Operator's permit.

All applicants must have the following on hand:

• Application for USFJ Form 4EJ Driver's Permit
• Valid stateside driver's license
• Orders
• (For dependents) Area Clearance / Dependent Entry Approval (DEA)

All active duty personnel, under the age of 26, will be required to attend an accredited Drivers Improvement Course (DIC). This can be completed through Marine Net or My Navy Portal.

Service Members in paygrades E-5 and below must present to the licensing examiner an application Form USFJ-4A signed by their gaining command's CO. E-6 and above may sign their own request. For family members, the sponsor must sign the application Form USFJ-4A.

Studying for the SOFA Licensing Exam

The SOFA licensing exam is done Monday - Friday, except for Wednesday at the MCB Safety Installation Office, Camp Foster, Bldg. 5831 at 0800 and 1000.

Newcomers will also have an opportunity to take the licensing exam during the Newcomers' Orientation Welcome Aboard. In addition, the SOFA licensing exam is a challenging examination. It is strongly recommended each individual taking the licensing test to thoroughly read and study the entire Driver's Manual, becoming familiar with and study all of the road signs enclosed in the road sign document. To obtain a copy of the SOFA Driver's Manual please visit: https://www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/about

Per MCIPAC Order 5560.1, attendance at the Newcomer's Orientation Welcome Aboard must be confirmed prior to the MCB Safety Installation Office issuing a SOFA Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) Driver's License.

Obtaining a Learner's Permit on Okinawa 

• Learner's permits will be issued to personnel who do not possess a valid state license. 
• The applicant has to be over 16 years old. 
• All applicants must attend a Driver's Education Course on Okinawa before applying for permit. 
  • The cost for SOFA-status personnel is $300.00
  • The Driver's Education Course is offered at the Kadena Air Base, Schilling Community Center
• Sponsor must be present to sign application.
  • If active duty in paygrades E5 and below, your gaining command's CO must sign the application.
• Applicant must pass an Eye test.

Driving on Okinawa

Okinawa definitely offers a distinct driving experience. Unlike the United States, people drive on the left side of the road, which requires some getting used to. The slow lane is on the left, and the fast lane is on the right, although there usually is not a significant difference between the two.

All speed limits are marked in kilometers per hour, and, except for the Okinawa Expressway, there is no authorized speed zone beyond 60 kilometers per hour, or about 37 mph. In addition, all traffic signs here conform to international standards.

Many roads are much more narrow than standard American roads. Traffic congestion is more the rule than the exception, and coral dust-laden roads can get slick fast when it rains. Needless to say, careful, defensive driving is an absolute necessity.

For additional information or assistance, please contact the MCB Safety Installation Office:

MCB Safety Installation Office

Camp Foster, Bldg. 5831

DSN: 315-645-3183 | Comm: 011-81-98-970-3183