Do You Know 4 Types of Japanese Driver’s Stickers on Cars? | Guidable - Your Guide to a Sustainable, Wellbeing-centred Life in Japan
Do you know 4 Types of Japanese Driver’s Sign on Cars?

Do You Know 4 Types of Japanese Driver’s Stickers on Cars?

By Guidable Writers Sep 25, 2017

This post is also available in: Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional)

Do you know the Japanese driver’s signs for the car?

If you carefully look the car, you would see several types of them.

Certain drivers are required or recommended to desplay a required sign on the vehicle, like on dashboard at the rear side.

In Japan, you might get an opportunity to rent a car and enjoy driving.

However, how can you deal with the sign, which you have never seen?

Don’t worry; just give your 1 minute to take a look at this article!

By understanding the local driver’s signs in Japan, your driving experience will be much more enjoyable together with confidence!

Today, let’s take a look at them and get to know what these signs are!

TYPE1: Beginner Driver’s Sign

 Sign:

Do you know 4 Types of Japanese Driver’s Sign on Cars?

What & Who? :

This is a sign for beginner drivers. The driver who newly got driver’s license needs to put this sign on their car. You have to put this sign for 1 year from when you got the license. You need to put this at the both front /rear side of the car.

The design of this sign is inspired by “fresh young leaf”. So, in Japanese slang, we call this  “Wakaba-mark”, which means fresh young leaf sign. Does it look like that?

Penalty: Driver’s Side

If you don’t put this sign on the car, you will get the penalty. You should pay 4,000yen. You will also lose the driver’s license point by 1 point.

Penalty: Other Driver’s Side

Other drivers should not pull their car over to the side of this beginner driving car. It is also prohibited to cut in front of the beginner driving car. In the case it happens, except when it was avoidable, driver will have a penalty from 5,000yen to 7,000yen, depending on the vehicle side and also lose the driver’s license point by 1 point.

Where to get:

You can get this at a car accessory store, a home center, and even at Amazon.

 

TYPE2: Elderly driver’s sign

Sign:

<new version>

Do you know 4 Types of Japanese Driver’s Sign on Cars?

<old version>

Do you know 4 Types of Japanese Driver’s Sign on Cars?

 

What & Who? :

This sign is for the drivers whose age is over 70 years old. The driver who has a possibility of physical function degeneracy while driving is supposed to put this sign. There is no punishment even if you don’t put it on. But it is recommended to put for the driver’s safety.  It is recommended to put this at the both front /rear side of the car. In Japanese slang, is it called as “Momiji-mark”, which means autumn tint leaf sign.

Penalty: Driver’s Side

There is no penalty for not putting on this sign on the car.

Penalty: Other Driver’s Side

Other drivers should not pull their car over to the side of this elderly driving car. It is also prohibited to cut in front of the elderly driving car. In the case this happens, except when avoidable, driver will have a penalty from 5,000yen to 7,000yen, depending on the vehicle side and also lose the driver’s license point by 1 point.

Where to get:

It is sold at a testing center for driving, a license renewal center, and the designated police office of license renewal. You can even get it at Amazon as well.

 

TYPE3: Hearing-impaired driver’s sign

Sign:

Do you know 4 Types of Japanese Driver’s Sign on Cars?

What & Who? :

This sign is for the driver who got a driver’s license under the condition of hearing impairment.

Penalty: Driver’s Side

In case you don’t put this on the car, you will get the penalty. You should pay 4,000yen. You will also lose the driver’s license point by 1 point.

Penalty: Other Driver’s Side

Other drivers should not pull their car over to the side of this driving car. It is also prohibited to cut in front of the driving car. Incase this happens, except when avoidable, driver will have a penalty from 5,000yen to 7,000yen, depending on the vehicle side and also lose the driver’s license point by 1 point.

Where to get:

It is sold at a testing center for driving. You can even get it at Amazon.

 

TYPE3: Physically handicapped driver’s sign

Sign:

Do you know 4 Types of Japanese Driver’s Sign on Cars?

What & Who? :

This sign is for the driver who got a driving license under the condition of Physical disability.

Penalty: Driver’s Side

There is no penalty for not putting on this sign on the car.

Penalty: Other Driver’s Side

Other drivers should not pull their car over to the side of this driving car. It is also prohibited to cut in front of the driving car. Incase this happens, except when avoidable, driver will have a penalty from 5,000yen to 7,000yen, depending on the vehicle side and also lose the driving license point by 1 point.

Where to get:

It is sold at a testing center for driving. You can even get it at Amazon.

At The End…

How do you feel after getting to know the local driver’s sign?

In Japan, it is legal to get the driver’s license from 18 years old.

Try to rent a car, drive safely and get the most out of your travel to Japan by getting international driver’s license.

Now then you know about the Japanese driver’s stickers on cars, why don’t you follow us on Facebook to stay updated on our new articles like this? We are here!

 

amarun/Japan