Provost Marshal Office

The total number of registered privately owned motor vehicles per accompanied registrant will be limited to two passenger vehicles and two motorcycle(s), whether military, civilian or DoD contractor. Proof of licensing is required by both SOFA members in order for the sponsor to possess two motorcycle(s).

The total authorized vehicles for unaccompanied personnel are limited to one passenger vehicle and one motorcycle.

• Accompanied (Validated by Area of Clearance) - Two passenger vehicles and two motorcycles.
• Unaccompanied - One passenger vehicle and one motorcycle.

All vehicle waivers to exceed normal vehicle registration must be done through the individual's chain of command to the Installation Commanding Officer via the PMO Pass and Registration Office.

All USFJ personnel assigned to MCAS Iwakuni must register Privately Owned Vehicles (POV) and bicycles with the Pass and Registration.

• Personnel who PCS within Japan must register their POV and conduct a Prefectural change.
• When USFJ personnel register or take possession of a motor vehicle they must validate their living arrangements/quarters with the Pass and Registration Office. Personnel who reside outside of 2 kilometers from the installation must visit the local Japanese police department to validate their residence and acquire the appropriate documentation (parking permit, decal, parking certificate, etc.) prior to registration. The local police department will determine what documentation is needed.
• All vehicles must be sold or junked prior to a PCS move. Power of Attorney may be utilized for the sale or deregistration of a vehicle.  Refer to POA's below for requirements.
• The registration of bicycles is required. Upon purchasing, receiving, or taking permanent possession of a bicycle, USFJ personnel will report to PMO Vehicle Section Office with a receipt/bill of sale, or shipping document if available.

• When purchasing a vehicle from a Japanese dealer.
• SOFA member will need the DoD ID card, valid SOFA Operator's Permit (Iwakuni issued) and a copy of the title and bring it to PMO Pass and Registration.
• Upon completion of the title and plate change bring the new title, current JCI, current Road Tax, Recycling Fee Receipt. and valid secondary insurance.
• Orders and Area Clearance must be provided when purchasing a second vehicle.
• Original POA is required if sponsor is not present. (Photocopies and electronic copies are not accepted.) POA must be submitted and will be retained by Land Transportation office as required documentation.

• When purchasing a vehicle from another SOFA status person.
• The new owner must have valid secondary insurance on the vehicle being purchased, DoD ID card and a valid SOFA Operator's Permit (Iwakuni issued).
• The current owner must provide a title, current JCI, current Road Tax, and Recycling Fee Receipt.
• Orders and Area Clearance must be provided when purchasing a second vehicle.
• Original POA is required if sponsor is not present. (Photocopies and electronic copies are not accepted.) POA must be submitted and will be retained by Land Transportation office as required documentation.

POA may be utilized for the sale or deregistration of a vehicle.  Unit Commanding Officers must grant authorization for a military member E-6 and below to issue a POA in the case of a permanent change of station (PCS). A copy of the letter and POA must be presented to the Pass and Registration Office prior to out-processing. POAs are not to be a convenience for members and should not be misused; personnel should make every attempt to sell their vehicles prior to departure..

1. The POA must contain the following clause stating: "In the event of failure to sell or otherwise dispose of the vehicle covered by the POA within the 120 day period, PMO will begin the procedure to deregister and dispose of the vehicle."
2. PDI and JCI must be valid the entire time the POA is in effect.
3. When a POA is authorized, the owner issuing the POA and the recipient must report to the Pass and Registration Office to complete an acceptance of responsibility record. It is the person who holds the POA who will be held liable for ensuring all maintenance is maintain and deregistration is conducted prior to the expiration of the POA.
4. The POA cannot be greater than the time left on the liability insurance or JCI, and will not exceed 120 days. In addition, the recipient of the POA must have greater time remaining on station than the duration of the POA.
5. The POA must be issued to an active duty service member or self-sponsored civilian in the MCAS Iwakuni community with a valid Operator's Permit.
6. The vehicle must be deregistered or sold no later than 7 business days prior to expiration of the POA. Federal and Japanese holidays must be taken into consideration.
7. POA holders are limited to being responsible for one vehicle at a time. In order to be assigned to another vehicle as a POA agent, the assigned POA holder must be clear of their assigned responsibilities of the active POA vehicle, in accordance with the POA statement of understanding.

All SOFA members must deregister their vehicles prior to a PCS, separation, or reassignment, or after revocation of driving privileges. All personnel are required to de-register their POVs through the Pass and Registration Office by utilizing either the MCCS Auto Skills Center or a Japanese car dealer.

• The member must return the road tax decal to the Pass and Registration Office and provide proof that the vehicle was turned over to a deregistering agency in order to receive a deregistration package.
• After the member receives the deregistration package from the Pass and Registration Office they must return it to the deregistering agency for processing.
• Original POA is required if registered owner/sponsor is not present. (Photocopies and electronic copies are not accepted.) POA must be submitted and will be retained by Land Transportation office as required documentation.
• The member must return with confirmation of deregistration from the agency in order to complete the deregistration process with the Pass and Registration Office. Failure to complete deregistration may delay personnel from departing Japan.

Shipping a Vehicle to the U.S.

Personnel should consult with the Distribution Management Office (DMO) 2 to 3 months in advance for information on shipping vehicles. This includes motorcycles originally shipped in household goods and never registered in Japan.

• Vehicles must be deregistered with Japanese authorities prior to being shipped outside of Japan. The Pass and Registration Office will prepare a package for deregistration with Japanese authorities.
• Members must return to the Pass and Registration Office with a copy of the cancelled title from the GOJ. They will in turn be provided two copies of deregistration forms, one for the member and one for DMO to process with the shipping package.
• Vehicles are not to be driven once deregistered with the GOJ.
• Original POA is required if registered owner/sponsor is not present. (Photocopies and electronic copies are not accepted.) POA must be submitted and will be retained by Land Transportation office as required documentation.

• When selling a SOFA vehicle to a Japanese citizen the following applies.
• The member must return the road tax decal to the Pass and Registration Office and the vehicle must not be in lien from an agency.
• Pass and Registration will provide a Bill of Sale for the Japanese citizen.
• Original POA is required if registered owner/sponsor is not present. (Photocopies and electronic copies are not accepted.) POA must be submitted and will be retained by Land Transportation office as required documentation.
• The member must return with a copy of new Japanese title or deregistered title as proof to remove vehicle from on-base registration.
• SOFA plated vehicle cannot be driven by Non-SOFA members until title transfer is completed.

If you have received a traffic citation, report to the Pass and Registration Office to enter your plea (guilty or not guilty).

• Assess points
• Assign date to appear in traffic court
• Suspensions and Revocation processing

Any appeal/request for reinstatement of driving privileges submitted by members who have had their driving privileges suspended/revoked as a result of the offenses of this Order must be endorsed by the member's Unit Commanding Officer.

• Appeals must be submitted within 10 business days of the findings. All findings handed down by the TCO are final until a portion or all are rescinded.
• Successful completion of remedial driving is a prerequisite to the reinstatement of driving privileges after a suspension or revocation.

Appearance at Traffic Court

When a Military Police Officer issues a citation for a moving or non-moving violation, the alleged offender generally has the option of appearing in traffic court or waiving the right to appear. However, based on the offense and driving record as a whole, alleged offenders may be required to appear even when the right to appear is waived. Alleged offenders who elect to appear or who are mandated to appear in traffic court shall be notified by the PMO traffic court section of their assigned time and date of appearance.

Members cited via the TVR system shall be notified by the traffic court section of their assigned time, date, and location of court appearance.
Any person may make an official complaint, via the TVR system, against any person subject to the provisions of Order for any traffic violation that they observe, whether the violation occurred on or off base. The complainant may report to PMO and fill out the TVR complaint form. The form will then be forwarded to the PMO traffic court section and adjudicated in the same manner as a traffic citation written by Military Police. Failure to include all necessary information on the TVR may result in the complaint not being processed. The TVR complainant must attend the assigned traffic court date in order to bear witness to the observed violation to the TCO.

Submit to PMO Desk Sergeant : 253-3303

SOFA Operator's Permit

To obtain a SOFA Operator’s Permit all personnel must:

• Attend Welcome Aboard Brief.
• Complete and pass SOFA permit test -administered by Station Safety.

Provide following items to Pass and Registration Office

• All E5 and below Active duty- Approved Unit Commanding Officer Letter of Authorization (must be original)
• All active duty (age 25 and under)- Driver's Awareness (or equivalent) Training Certificate
• Orders/Letter of Employment (Civilian)/ Letter of Authorization (Contractor)
• Area Clearance (USMC) or Dependent Entry Approval (USN)
• Common Access Card (CAC)/ Dependent ID Card
• Valid stateside (or Government of Japan) driver's license

*Applicants that have never possessed a valid stateside license or approved foreign country license must provide proof of completion of a Driver's Education Course.

Time requirements for E-5 and below to obtain a SOFA Operator’s Permit

• Unaccompanied E-5 must be on MCAS Iwakuni for at least 45 days
• Unaccompanied E-4 must be on MCAS Iwakuni for at least 90 days.
• Unaccompanied E-3 and below on a year tour will not own or drive a POV or rental car in Japan.
• E-3 and below may request a SOFA Operator’s Permit after 1 year on station, via their Commanding Officer.
• Time requirements may be extended or waived at the Unit Commanding Officer's discretion.
• Accompanied E-5 and below may submit a waiver to receive a SOFA Operator’s Permit, there is not a minimum time requirement to wait before submitting request to Unit Commanding Officer.

Operator’s permit for Unit Deployment Program Personnel (UDP)

• Commanding officers at the unit level or higher, or person officially Acting due to the Unit commanding Officer's absence, must sign a letter of authorization for each individual Officer and Staff noncommissioned officer (SNCO) approved to drive on MCAS Iwakuni; group letters and "By Direction" are not authorized.
• E-5 and below on UDP are not authorized to obtain a SOFA Operator’s Permit, rent, or lease a vehicle during their UDP tour of duty unless required for "Official duty" capacity and must be identified in the appropriate authorization letter from Commanding Officer.

Operator’s permit for college students visiting parents

College students visiting parents that have SOFA status within Japan may apply for a USFJ Form 4EJ operator's permit under the following:

• Students' name must be on sponsor's original orders, letter of employment, or area clearance to Japan.
• Student must have a valid armed forces dependent identification card.
• Student must have a valid operator's permit from the United States. If a permit is not valid, a letter from the issuing authority (Department of Motor Vehicles) stating the operator's permit is valid must be presented.
• Student must pass a written exam and sponsor must sign the application card.

All visiting college students' USFJ Form 4EJ will expire on the day they return to the continental United States (CONUS) or country they attend college. A student will have to reapply for an operator's permit each time, retaking the test and showing supporting documentation.

SOFA Operator's Permit Renewal

• All applicants will present a copy of their extension orders (BIR, OEPS message, IPCOTS, etc. will be acceptable on a case by case basis) to show proof of their new rotation date (RTD) and valid armed forces military I.D. card.
• All personnel with an expired SOFA Operator’s Permit shall retake the SOFA test.
• Individuals on Unit or Individual Augmentee deployment in support of wartime or humanitarian efforts that have an expired SOFA Operator’s Permit must renew license immediately upon return from deployment. A copy of deployment orders must accompany the application.

Individuals that have an expired stateside license whose state does not permit an extension while serving overseas or allow renewal by mail, may be granted a renewal by the licensing authority (Pass and Registration Office) for their USFJ Form 4EJ, provided the individual's driving record is clear of major incidents or pending issues. It is the permit holder's responsibility to show proof of their state's requirements when renewing their USFJ Form 4EJ.

Reinstatement and Appeal

After the expiration of a 6 month or longer suspension or revocation, members must submit a reinstatement of driving privileges request to the Installation Commanding Officer via the member's Unit Commanding Officer and the Provost Marshal. 

Members must provide proof of attendance of remedial drivers training and court document.

The member must attend the Station Safety Office's remedial driving course and retake the SOFA test with a passing score. 
When requirements are met and the request is approved, they may proceed to the Pass and Registration Office for reinstatement. 

Any appeal/request for reinstatement of driving privileges submitted by members who have had their driving privileges suspended/revoked as a result of the offenses of this Order must be endorsed by the member's Unit Commanding Officer. 

Appeals must be submitted within 10 business days of the findings. All findings handed down by the TCO are final until a portion or all are rescinded. 

Successful completion of remedial driving is a prerequisite to the reinstatement of driving privileges after a suspension or revocation.

Motorcycle Endorsements

Applicants must have a valid SOFA Operator’s Permit and successfully complete a Basic Riders Course (BRC) approved by Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) or equivalent to qualify for a motorcycle endorsement.

IAW USFJ Instruction 31-205 and MCASO 5560.8B, Riders who have completed a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic Riders Course (BRC), or equivalent course, in CONUS or other OCONUS installation, and plan to ride in Japan shall be required to pass a motorcycle skills test using the MSF BRC2 or Advanced Riders Course (ARC) evaluation process.  The requirement for the addition skills test is to familiarize the rider with the riding and road conditions unique to Japan.

Student/Learner's Permits

Student/learner's permits may be issued to qualified individuals who attend the SOFA licensing course class and successfully pass a written SOFA exam with a minimum score of 80 percent. These permits will be valid for no more than 90 days. Once an initial learner's permit has expired, renewal will be issued on a case by case basis. Student/learner's permits are only valid aboard U.S. military installations and only when the permit holder is accompanied by a current USFJ 4EJ permitted operator. Driving School Student/learner's permits are issued in accordance with the following procedures:

Driving School for Family Members 16 Years Old and Older

• MCCS will provide the Pass and Registration Office with proof of registration for applicants participating in the current driving school.
• Upon passing an eye exam, an "On-Base Only" learner's permit will be issued for 90 days to a parent/spouse/guardian. The purpose of this permit is to assist the applicant with becoming comfortable behind the wheel while attending the certified formal driving course.
• Applicants driving with a learner's permit must be accompanied by a parent possessing a current USFJ 4EJ operator's permit.
• Applicants who successfully complete the certified formal driving course and have attained their 18th birthday will be issued a restricted 30 day "On-Base Only" learner's permit.
• Applicants who have not attained their 18th birthday will be issued an "On-Base Only" restricted operator's permit until they reach their 18th birthday. After reaching their 18th birthday, the "On-Base Only" restriction may be lifted by the Pass and Registration Office with written permission from the sponsor. Upon completion of the 30-day requirement, the applicant can have the "On-Base Only" restriction removed. Applicants that will turn 18 years of age within 30-days of license issuance will not be exempt from the "On-Base Only" requirement.

Entry/Exit Stamps

SOFA status personnel who arrived via Armed Forces Identification (AFID) card and military orders require a passport stamp to travel abroad from Japan while using their personal passport. Naval Forces Japan Exit-Reentry Permit Stamps are administered at the Military Customs Office, Bldg #727 (Air Terminal) or Bldg#360 (PMO).

Military Customs cannot stamp Japanese passports regardless of status. Individuals possessing Japanese passports must see Japanese Immigration for any updates or renewal.

All SOFA status personnel transferring to MCAS Iwakuni via the Patriot Express may have an entry stamp put in their passport regardless of travel status.

Fingerprints

Hard Copy Fingerprints (Ink & Rolls) : provided by PMO Customs

Electronic Fingerprints : Provided by Security Management Office (SMO)
** An appointment is required. (Location: Bldg#1, 2F RM#208)
For appointment: DSN 253-2027 or MCAS.Iwakuni.SMO@usmc.mil

Import and Export Weapons

Reference: MCASO 5500.4G

Importation of Firearms
Personnel may import rifles and shotguns into Japan provided they adhere to the requirements in this order and Appendix A. For further information contact the Distribution Management Office (DMO). Individuals must use the U.S. Postal System to import privately owned rifles / shotguns and consign them to gaining commanders.

Privately owned firearms will not be shipped in either unaccompanied baggage or household goods shipment to or from Japan. Firearms shipped in household goods will be confiscated by the PMO Customs Section or brought to PMO where it will remain in the PMO’s custody until the owner, with approval and assistance from the Transportation Officer, ships (through military transport) the firearm back to the U.S. or other duty station outside of Japan or until the firearm is destroyed.

Exportation of Firearms
Individuals must complete proper ATF Form 2 Part I and ATF Form6 Part I receive approval prior to exporting weapons to the U.S. Once documentation and approval has been received from the ATF, weapons may be shipped back to the U.S. All shipping documents for weapons must be provided to the Post Office and PMO Customs Section. Additionally, if the weapon is registered in Japan, the weapon shall be deregistered with the GoJ. Copies of all shipping documents

Forms and instructions
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) https://www.atf.gov/

Admin Section : 253-4555/4386
Business Hours: MON – FRI, 08:00 – 16:00

Background Local Record Check

A background check is a law enforcement local records check used to investigate personnel to ensure proper vetting for employment, extensions, security clearance, weapons registration etc.

A copy of the units’ authorization to request and pick up local records checks will be on file at the PMO Administration section and personnel authorized by the unit Commanding Officer/Officer-in-Charge or Director will be allowed to request or pick up local records checks result.

MCAS Iwakuni PMO Record Check Request Form

FOIA and Privacy Act

Request submit to: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (OSJA) : 253-3570/5561

The Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552) allows members of the public to obtain a wide range of information from agencies of the federal government. In the Department of the War, FOIA is addressed in Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5720.42F, "Department of the Navy Freedom of Information Act Program" (SECNAVINST 5720.42F).

FOIA or Privacy Act request for PMO Iwakuni are submitted through OSJA who will send the request to PMO. Once OSJA receives the information they will contact the requestor and review with member.

K-9 demonstrations

Military Working Dogs: 253-6211/6493

Military Working Dog (MWD) teams are available to provide demonstrations or to assist commands with health and comfort inspections.

To request support, call 253-6211 and provide the below form.
MWD Demonstration Request Form

RIDE-ALONG-PROGRAM

Operation Chief : 253-3516

A police RIDE-ALONG-PROGRAM allows civilians to ride with law enforcement officers to observe their duties firsthand, aiming to increase public understanding of law enforcement.

All SOFA status personnel over fourteen years of age may apply by completing “MILITARY POLICE RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM” form.

All dependents under eighteen years of age must have their sponsor approve and sign the Claims Release Form before being considered for participation “CLAIMS RELEASE FORM”

Resources

MCASO 5560.8B

• MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC SUPERVISION
• MCASO 5560.8B with Ch 5
• MCASO 5560.8B with Ch 4

MCASO 5500.2W

• MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI ACCESS CONTROL
• MCASO 5500.2W with Ch 1