Please email comments about this page or any additional information that you may have regarding driving in Okinawa
a. In Japan all cars drive on the left hand side of the road. Be especially careful about bicycle riders and when entering a from a driveway as most of them ride on the footpath without a care in the world.
b. Pedestrians always have right of way. If you hit one, then you will be up for a lot of money. Third party insurance is advisable.
c. Wearing seatbelts is mandatory. Helmets must be worn when riding a moped or motorcycle. Failure to do so will result in the addition of one or more points to your traffic violation record.
d. Traffic violations here follow a point system. After six points, a licence is suspended, and after fifteen points a licence is revoked for those without previous suspensions.
e. Parking violations include a fine of \6,000-\15,000 and one point per violation. Reckless speeding over 30kms an hour will mean suspension of your licence. Speeding fines range from \6,000-\25,000. Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs or being in an accident resulting in the death due to drunk driving will cause your licence to be immediately cancelled for one year or more. Drunk driving may also be punished by fines and imprisonment. The DUI level is considered to be 0.25mg of alcohol per litre of breath, or 0.25mg of alcohol per milliliter of blood. Six extra points are added to any violations, while driving under the influence.
f. If you are in an accident with injuries, make sure to call the police. Failure to do so will be labeled as a hhit and runh and will cost you ten points and suspension of your licence. Five points are added, if the individual causing the accident flees after property damage has been inflicted. Good driving records are rewarded by removing points for minor offences from a driverfs record. This is usually done after a year of driving without accidents.
g. Traffic tickets can be paid within eight days at a post office or bank. Violators must appear at the traffic violation center of the city in which the ticket was given, if the fine hasnft been paid within eight days.
h. A yellow and green arrow shaped marker in a car window indicates a novice driver, they have had their licence for less than twelve months.
i. There is also a yellow and brown tear drop, this indicates drivers over the age of seventy five (so steer clear of them!)
Parking
If you have a white plate car, you will be required to have a parking space for your vehicle. You cannot park it on the side of the road (you can but if you get caught, itfll cost you.) Yellow plates can park anywhere on the side of the road as long as they are not in Naha or Okinawa City. If your car is towed away, get in contact with the police immediately. The longer you leave it the more it will cost. The police will charge you an hourly rate for keeping your under in a separate (usually not at the police station.) You will be expected to pay somewhere in the vicinity of \18,000 to get your car out and will be issued with a further \15,000 fine payable within 10-15 days.
Illegal Parking Sticker
If this sticker is affixed to your car you must re-park properly or move the car, and report it immediately to the officer who affixed the sticker or the police station of the area. Do not tear or remove until the police are informed. If you do not move the car it may be towed.
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