Answer: First, attend the MCAS Iwakuni Welcome Aboard Indoctrination Brief and the SOFA licensing course that follows and pass the SOFA license test.  If transferring within Japan you must show proof of a SOFA license from another USFJ installation.  All applicants shall provide a government-issued identification card, valid U.S. driver’s license, proof of SOFA status, and present the following documents as required:

• Active Duty: Command sponsored active-duty members must provide a copy of their travel orders and/or area clearance.  Family members must be listed on travel orders and/or area clearance.  All E-5 and below who are granted permission to be licensed will present a letter of authorization to obtain a SOFA license signed by their commanding officer.

• Civilian/NAF employees: (a) Letter of Employment with family members listed (CONUS and local hire).  (b) Travel orders with family members’ names listed (CONUS hire).  (c) Area clearance with family members’ names listed (CONUS hire).

• Contractor: (a) Letter of Employment (i.e. contract).  *The contract must show the individual will be on station for a minimum of 30 days to be eligible for a SOFA license.  (b) Dependents of contractors be listed in the contract.

Answer: If you PCS within Japan you must still meet all requirements outlined above, however; the SOFA license written examination is not required.  You will be required to attend an abbreviated SOFA licensing course and show proof of your prior SOFA license.

Answer: Every Monday at Sakura Theater for Japan transfers and 1400 for all others.

Answer: Once all requirements are met, proceed to the Pass and Registration Office at the Provost Marshal’s Office, building 608 (the left side entrance).

Answer: If your license was issued by MCAS Iwakuni, we will provide you another copy of your original license.  If your license was issued by a different USFJ installation, that particular installation’s policies must be followed.

Answer: The MCAS commanding officer may grant this privilege under special circumstances.  The command sponsored member must submit a request for approval to the Commanding Officer, via his/her unit Commanding Officer and the Provost Marshal.  All licensing requirements must be met (i.e.Welcome Aboard Indoctrination Brief, SOFA Test, and International Driver Permit recognized by Japan).  The individual will only be able to drive upon approval from the MCAS Commanding Officer.

Answer:

• Unaccompanied: Limited to one passenger vehicle and one motorcycle.

• Accompanied: Limited to two passenger vehicles and two motorcycles (per licensed operator). Proof of licensing is required by both SOFA members in order for the sponsor to posess two mortorcycles. 

• Policy Waiver:  Any individual who desires to own vehicles beyond the standard limits may submit a request for approval to the MCAS Commanding Officer, via his/her unit Commanding Officer and the Provost Marshal.

Answer:

SOFA to SOFA:

When purchasing a vehicle from a SOFA member both the buyer/seller must proceed to PMO, Pass and Registration to conduct the purchase/transfer paperwork.  The below documents will be required:

• Seller:  ID card, SOFA license, Title, JCI insurance, road tax receipt, recycling fee receipt.  If the vehicle is in lien with a banking facility, the seller will be required to provide a termination statement from their banking facility. 

• Buyer:  ID card, SOFA license, Secondary Insurance for the vehicle being purchased, Area Clearance and Accompanied orders if purchasing a second vehicle.

• 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.

Japanese Dealer to SOFA:

When purchasing a vehicle from a dealer the SOFA member must proceed to PMO Pass and Registration to conduct the purchase/registration paperwork.  The below documents will be required:

• Seller:  Will provide the buyer a copy of the original title.

• Buyer:  ID card, SOFA license, Area Clearance and Accompanied orders if purchasing a second vehicle. **Note: Secondary Insurance will be required at the time of registration at PMO**

• 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.

The new owner may take the package to MCCS, any off station car dealer or individually proceed to the Yamaguchi Land Transportation Office (LTO) to process the title transfer.  Once the title transfer is complete, return to PMO to obtain a permanent decal.  Please bring the documents required above for registration.

Note: If their sponsor doesn’t have a SOFA license or is not present in Iwakuni to come to PMO (i.e. Deployment, TAD), a Special Power of Attorney (SPoA) has to be provided to purchase or sell the vehicle.

SPoA must be the original. Photo Copies and electronic copies are not authorized.

Answer:

Vehicle Disposal:

When disposing your vehicle the SOFA member must proceed to PMO, Pass and Registration to conduct the de-registration paperwork.  The below documents will be required: Owner:

• Receipt from an authorized car dealer, stating the vehicle is in the dealer’s possession.

• Road Tax decal (removed from vehicle being disposed of).

• ID card, SOFA license, Title, road tax receipt, JCI insurance and recycling fee receipt. 

• If the vehicle is in lien with a banking facility, a termination statement from the bank is required.

• The SOFA member must bring de-registration package to dealer for processing. Once the de-registration is completed, return to PMO to show the proof of de-registration. (de-registered title)

Note: The vehicle must be in possession of the dealer responsible for junking the vehicle.

Selling vehicle to non-SOFA:

When selling your vehicle to a Non-SOFA individual the SOFA member and buyer must proceed to PMO Pass and Registration to conduct the de-registration paperwork.  The below documents will be required:

• Seller:  ID card, SOFA license, Title, road tax receipt, JCI insurance and recycling fee receipt.

• Remove the Road Tax decal and return it to PMO.

• If the vehicle is in lien with a banking facility, a termination statement from the bank is required.

• Buyer:  Must sign the bill of sale and de-registration package.

Once the title tranfer is completed, return to PMO to show the proof of de-registration. (Copy of Japanese title in new owner's name)

Answer: Per USFJ INST 31-205, U.S. Forces Japan members who are residing more than 2 kilometers from any U.S. installation or facility must comply with the Government of Japan requirement to validate their residence has a suitable vehicle parking space.  This includes issuance of a parking certificate and parking sticker for the vehicle, prior to registration.

Answer: Powers of Attorney 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.  A copy of the letter and POA must be presented to the Pass and Registration Office prior to out-processing.  Personnel should make every attempt to sell their vehicles prior to departure.

Answer: Road Tax is due in the month of April annually and is a mandatory requirement of the Government of Japan.  Without proof of Road Tax payment a USFJ Form 15A decal will not be issued.  *Failure to pay is grounds for vehicle impoundment.

Answer: No, PMO cannot give them a ticket or tow them.  Family Housing has granted you the privilege of a personal parking space but is not mandated by Station Order that those spaces belong to you; therefore, PMO will not enforce parking in those spaces.  To resolve this issue, contact Family Housing and make a formal complaint about the individual parking in your parking spot.

Answer: Once a ticket has been issued you have 3 business days to go to the Pass and Registration Office (in Building 608) to plead guilty or not-guilty and, if necessary, receive a court date.  Attend court on the date and time provided by the Pass and Registration Office. 
** Note: If you receive a ticket from Japanese Police, you will be called to PMO where you will receive an on-base traffic citation. This is because MCAS Iwakuni issued you a SOFA license and the United States Government’s agreements with the Government of Japan, require the installation to track infractions and assess points to your license.

Answer: The courtroom on the 2nd floor of the Station Judge Advocate’s Office, Building 608. The Pass and Registration Office will contact you regarding the date and time of traffic court.

Answer: The impounded vehicle can only be returned to the owner if the individual is cleared of the charge by the Traffic Court Magistrate.  Otherwise the vehicle must be (1) released to the government and deregistered by the registered owner, (2) released to a licensed dependent, or (3) released and sold to a new owner.

Answer: Weekday quiet hours are from 2200-0500; weekend quiet hours are from 2400-0500.  Contact PMO during the above times to make a loud noise complaint.  Excessive and inappropriate noise is considered to be disturbing the peace 24/7 and PMO will respond outside of the quiet hours.

Answer: PMO is a part of the greater law enforcement system in the United States, which primarily uses Social Security Numbers for incident reporting systems.  Simply put, the law enforcement systems we use are not capable of processing DoD ID numbers.  PMO understands this might seem counter to directions from the DoD or HQMC; however, the systems PMO utilizes are under the direction and control of the DoD and the Department of the Navy.  We take significant measures to ensure all personal information is safeguarded.

Answer: Fingerprints are taken every Monday to Friday in Building 1, Room 03-C6 (B1F) from 0730 to 1600. (Lunch break 1130 to 1230) DSN: PMO Physical Secrity, 253-7518.

Answer: Obtain the proper paperwork from the DEERS office in Building 1 and bring all the paperwork to the PMO Desk Sergeant in Building 608.  PMO will generate a report and stamp the paperwork.  Once this is completed, return to the DEERS office with the stamped paperwork to receive a new ID card.