Motor Vehicles

Used cars in Okinawa cost anywhere from $500 to $4,000 and up, depending on the age of the vehicle, its condition, what accessories it has, etc. Before making a purchase, you may want to have the car checked over to ensure it is mechanically sound. The Auto Skills Center, DSN: 315-652-5612, performs such checks for approximately $30.

All cars are sold as is, so you want to be sure it will be in good condition when you make your purchase. Japanese Compulsory Insurance is required to operate a vehicle on Okinawa. Obtain a letter from your current insurance company showing no accidents and length of coverage and you may be able to save yourself money purchasing insurance here.

Accidents

All motor vehicle accidents must be reported to the 18th Security Forces Squadron (18 SFS) immediately, DSN: 315-634-2475/2476, no matter how minor the accident may appear. This applies to off-base accidents also.
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, or a fine of 500,000 yen or both. Your SOFA license has the numbers to call is such cases.

Local Car Dealers

A number of car dealers are located off base. They often assist with vehicle inspections, insurance, etc. Some dealers may also provide payment plans.

Laws vary when it comes to motor vehicle insurance requirements, licensing and registration. The term vehicle generally includes automobiles, motorcycles, vans, trailers and boats regularly parked or garaged overnight. Service members and their families will want to understand their state’s laws on registration and licensing before moving to a new state. Visit the USA.gov Motor Vehicle Services page for links to state-specific websites. This is a best practice.

Vehicles owned by U.S. Forces personnel assigned to Okinawa must be registered through the Vehicle Registration Office on Camp Foster. Vehicles are registered under the sponsor's name and there is a limit to the number of autos registered at one time, one 4-wheeled/2-wheeled vehicle per licensed driver in the household. 

Location: Building 5638, Camp Foster (Behind Bowling Alley)

DSN: 645-7481/3963

Hours of Operations (may vary during different times of the year):

7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Monday through Friday

Closed Weekends and American Holidays

Limited Services on Japanese Holidays

You must have a valid stateside driver's license, a valid International driver's license or a valid U.S. Forces license in order to obtain a USFJ 4, US Forces Japan operator's permit (renewal certificates are not acceptable). Be sure to check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles to ask for an extension to match the dates listed on your orders so that your license does not expire while you are overseas. For more information please visit the MCIPAC Installation Safety Office.

You must attend the NOWA Brief prior to obtaining a SOFA license. All individuals who intend to drive while on Okinawa must attend this class to receive either a license or a permit. All Active duty personnel under the age of 26 years old must show proof of attending a Drivers Improvement Course.

Personnel who have never been licensed to drive must complete a certified driver's education course located at the Schilling Driving School on Kadena AFB. For more information please visit the MCIPAC Installation Safety Office. It is recommended that a license is obtained before coming to Okinawa to avoid the high cost.

Teenage drivers under the age of 18 may drive only on base. The legal driving age in Japan is 18.

State / local laws regulate the operation of motor vehicles, and these laws can vary by location.

Many states regulate the following:

• Seatbelt use
• Child safety seats
• Motorcycle operation
• Cellphones and other digital devices while driving

Learn more about motor vehicle laws in your state at the Distraction.gov State Laws page.

Information on basic "Traffic Safety and Driving In Japan" can be found at: https://www.kadena.af.mil/Portals/40/documents/Fact%20Sheets/SOFA%20GUIDE%20May%202017.pdf?ver=2017-05-08-220433-833.

Unlike the U.S., Japan is strictly a comparative negligence area and negligence is assigned on a comparative basis regardless which party is directly responsible for the accident. Suppose you unfortunately ran over a person crossing the street against the light. You might think the pedestrian is responsible for the event because there was no chance of an accident had he/she observed the signal. Japanese police and/or authorities would possibly assign a certain percentage of negligence to you because of your "carelessness." This naturally means that you have to pay a sum of money for the pedestrian's injury or death. There are a number of different types of coverage that will assist you in coping with this type of scenario. For answers to your insurance questions, read 5 AF Pamphlet 31-1, Facts on Car Insurance in Japan (Security Police).

1. Bodily Injury Liability Insurance (twofold):

• Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance - usually called JCI (Japanese Compulsory Insurance), this government sponsored insurance covers your legal liability to someone injured or killed in an accident caused by you or anyone driving your automobile with your permission. It pays up to 1,200,000 Yen (The rate as of Sept 02 was $1.00=120 yen) per person for most cases of medical expenses and up to 30,000,000 Yen per person if the accident is severe enough to kill or disable someone permanently.
• Bodily Injury Insurance - begins coverage where JCI stops. As of 1 January 97, U.S. military law requires personnel to carry a minimum of 30,000,000 Yen bodily injury insurance. According to recent literature, current court awards sometimes reach 100,000,000Yen, so it is reasonable to consider purchasing additional coverage. It may be purchased from either an authorized Japanese firm or a stateside company licensed by the Japanese government to do business in Japan.

If you are responsible for the accident and have only JCI to cover bodily injury, you are required to negotiate with the victim or his/her survivor until the claim is satisfactorily concluded. Some companies provide adjusters and legal staff to negotiate for you and/or defend you in or out of court when you purchase Bodily Injury Insurance. Check before you buy.

2. Property Damage Liability Insurance -- U.S. Forces Japan requires every person to carry at least 3,000,000 Yen property damage liability insurance with his/her automobile. This is to cover your legal liability for damages you caused to someone's property.

3. Comprehensive Insurance (Own Damage) -- Pays for loss or damage to your automobile caused by fire, theft, glass breakage, typhoon, wind, water, falling objects, vandalism, etc. (except collision or upset).

4. Collision -- Pays for damages to your automobile as a result of collision or upset whether or not it is your fault.

Discounts: Some companies offer a "No Claim Discount" after one or more years without an accident/claim. This discount can amount to between 10-30%. On the other hand, an accident/claim can eliminate such a discount or even cause an increase in premiums.

Newcomer's Brief-- You will be provided a local conditions briefing prior to obtaining a USFJ Driver's Permit. At that brief, you will be informed of procedures to follow if you are involved in an accident, both on or off base.

To operate a motorcycle in Okinawa, you must have completed a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course within the last five years and have in your possession proof of completion. It is recommended that the course be completed stateside if at all possible but can be done here. For more information concerning motorcycle driving, call DSN: 315-634-2450 or 645-3183. For more information please visit the MCIPAC Installation Safety Office.

Traffic - On and off base, traffic moves on the left hand side of the road. The slow lane is on the left, and the fast lane is on the right, although there usually isn't a significant difference between either depending on the location.

Speed Limits -- All speed limits are marked in kilometers per hour and, except for the Okinawa Expressway, there is no authorized speed zone beyond 80 kilometers per hour, or about 50 mph.

Road Signs -- In addition, all traffic signs here conform to international standards. Many roads are much narrower than standard American roads, traffic congestion is more the rule than the exception, and coral dust-laden roads can get slick after it rains. Needless to say, careful, defensive driving is an absolute necessity.

Drinking and Driving -- Drinking and driving and illegal drugs are dealt with very severely by both Japanese and Military authorities. An Okinawa Driver's Manual is available from your unit PAC officer or the Relocation Office.

Safety Seats -- Department of Transportation approved car seats are required for children under 40 lbs and or 4 years old.

Parking -- Parking of motor vehicles is authorized only in those areas/spaces designated for parking, both on and off base. Vehicles will be towed and are expensive to retrieve from impound.

Cell Phones -- Cell Phone usage while operating a motor vehicle is illegal on all military installations and off base. Penalties are stiff and will be applied for all offenses. This law applies to all military, civilian, contractor or local national drivers.

Vehicle Checks - Entering an installation subjects the operator to vehicle inspections upon demand. The Japanese police perform periodic vehicle inspections to ensure vehicles conform to safety standards and the driver is not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Seat Belts -- Seat Belts are mandatory on Okinawa and all military installations. Penalties are as follows:

• 1st offense: Warning plus two points
• 2nd offense: two weeks suspension
• 3rd offense (within six months) 90-day suspension

This is applicable to all military, civilian, contractor or local national drivers. Suspensions will not be subject to appeal for mission-related or personal hardship considerations. The driver will be responsible for all occupants.

Criminal Offenses - Report immediately to 10th ASG PMO, 315-652-4715.

Crime Stop - Provost Marshall Office, 315-652-4715.