Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

When military personnel, dependents, or DOD civilian employees drive in Japan, they must obtain a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) driver's license.

To obtain a SOFA driver's license, you have to follow the below procedures;

1. Attend the Welcome Aboard Indoctrination.
   • Date:  Every Monday, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
   • Location: Club Iwakuni.
   • If Monday is a holiday the orientation will be held on Wednesday.
   • For more information call the Information and Referral Office at 253-6161.
2. You must have a valid driver's license in the U.S. and a valid DOD ID card.
   • If you don't possess a valid driver's license in the U.S., you can obtain a driver's license by enrolling in the Driver's Education Course.
   • For more information please call 253-4841.
3. Take the mandatory SOFA course.
   • Date: Every Monday after Welcome Aboard Indoctrination (WAI), from 2 - 4:30 p.m.
   • Location: Club Iwakuni
   • If you do not possess a valid CAC you must take a paper test after the course.  

For more information about the SOFA license, please contact Provost Marshal's Office at;

DSN: 253-3161

Commercial number from Japan: 0827-79-3161

Commercial number from U.S.: 011-81-827-79-3161

If you want to own a personal vehicle in Japan, you have to purchase/complete:

Insurance
Liability Insurance:
The minimum amount required by U.S. Military Law is 30,000,000-yen for bodily injury and 3,000,000-yen for property damage. Insurance may be purchased from an authorized Japanese agency.

Japanese Compulsory Insurance (JCI):
It must be purchased by a company licensed in Japan. Japanese law requires vehicle owners to carry in their cars at all times a form certifying that the second type of policy has been purchased. A firm selling the policy issues the form. The Japanese government determines level of JCI coverage. Failure to maintain current Japanese Compulsory Insurance (JCI) for your POV will result in suspension or revocation of driving privileges for up to one year.

Inspection
Owners will be required to get their vehicles a biennial safety inspection. The inspection is based upon Japanese safety standards. This is a requirement under Japanese law and is required for all A/E/Y plated vehicles. This requirement is for vehicle inspections to be accomplished every two years within 30 days of the JCI expiration date.