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You may have noticed certain cars have stickers that are not necessarily for aesthetic purposes. Ever wonder what they mean? If you look closely, you may notice there are several types. Certain drivers are required or recommended to display a required sign on their vehicle, like on their dashboard or at the rear side. If you’re visiting Japan and thinking of renting a car, it may help to know and understand driver’s stickers and symbols.
So, which types of stickers are we talking about? Take a few minutes to read our article. We will explain each one and provide a picture to help identify them. Perhaps we can ease your driving anxiety through this article. Let’s take a look at them and get to know what these signs are!
Beginner Driver’s Sign
Image Credit: Canva
What & Who?
This is a sign for beginner drivers. Drivers who have recently obtained their driver’s license need to put this sign on their car. It is required to have this sign on display for 1 year from when the driver got the license. It is required to put this at both the front and rear sides of the car.
The design of this sign is inspired by a “fresh young leaf”. So, in Japanese slang, we call this Wakaba mark (若葉マーク), which means fresh young leaf sign. What do you think?
Penalty: Driver
The driver will get a penalty if they don’t put this sign on their car, which will require them to pay a fine. They will also receive a point on their driver’s license.
Penalty: Other Drivers
Other drivers need to be cautious of those with this mark, not because they are beginners but because Japan has rules to protect them. One is that drivers are not allowed to pull their car over to the side of the beginner driver unless it’s unavoidable. If they do so, they will be required to pay a fine and risk having a point added to their license.
Where to buy:
It is available to purchase at a car accessory store, a home center, Amazon, and Daiso.
Elderly Driver’s Sign
Image Credit: Canva
What & Who?
This sign is for drivers who are 70 years old and above. A driver who has a possibility of physical function degeneracy while driving is supposed to put this sign. There is no punishment for not putting it on, but it is recommended for the driver’s safety. If they choose to display it, it is recommended to put this at both the front and rear side of the car. In Japanese slang, it’s called the Momiji mark(紅葉マーク), which means autumn leaf sign, this applies to the old version, while the new version is called Yotsuba mark (四葉マーク), which means the four-leaf clover.
Penalty: Driver
There is no penalty for not putting this sign on their car.
Penalty: Other Drivers
Other drivers should not pull their car over to the side of those with this sticker. It is also prohibited to cut in front of those with this sticker. In the case this happens, except when unavoidable, the driver will have a penalty, which is a fine to pay as well as risk a point added to their license.
Where to buy
It is sold at testing centers for driving, a license renewal center, and the designated police office of license renewal. You can even get it on Amazon as well.
Hearing-Impaired Driver’s Sign
Image Credit: Canva
What & Who?
This sign is for drivers who have a driver’s license under the condition of hearing impairment. It is called the Choukaku Shougai mark (聴覚障害マーク).
Penalty: Driver
If the driver does not display this on their car they will get a penalty. The penalty is a fine to pay as well as potentially getting a point added to their license.
Penalty: Other Drivers
Other drivers should not pull their car over to the side of a car with this sticker. It is also prohibited to cut in front of them. In case this happens, except when unavoidable, the driver will have to pay a penalty, and they may also receive a point on their license.
Where to buy
It is sold at testing centers for driving. You can even get it on Amazon.
Physically Handicapped Driver’s Sign
Image Credit: Canva
What & Who?
This sign is for drivers who received a driver’s license under the condition of physical disability. It is called the Shintai Shougai mark (身体障害マーク).
Penalty: Driver
There is no penalty for not putting this sign on the car.
Penalty: Other Drivers
Other drivers should not pull their car over to the side of a car with this sticker. It is also prohibited to cut in front of them. In the case that this happens, except when unavoidable, the driver will have a penalty to pay, as well as risk getting a point on their license.
Where to get
It is sold at testing centers for driving. It is available for purchase on Amazon.
Our Take Away On Japanese Driver’s Stickers
If you plan to visit Japan and rent a car, remember to get an international license from your country. Another thing to remember is that the International license is for a full year and you will not be required to put the beginner sticker on the rented car (you can if you’d like others to be more cautious around you). We hope we have eased your anxiety when you decide to drive in Japan.
Related Articles:
- Driving in Japan: How to Get a Driver’s License
- How to Drive in Japan with an International Driving License
- Traffic: A Strange Experience in Japan of A Southeast Asia Student
Featured Image Credit: Canva
