Hi all,
Through a massive stroke of fortune, I survived the driving license center today and got my Japanese license (conversion from my home license).
I was under the impression given that I’ve got a long history of driving in my home country and that I had evidence for a number of years residence in my home country that I would not be classed as a beginner.
Looking at my J-license, I see that it’s got the green line on it which seems to mark it as shoshinsha mark” (初心者マーク) . Various websites indicate I must mark my car with a beginner sticker. Is this correct? I wasn’t notified about this at the center and would like to carefully adhere to the law.
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edit: I’ve checked on the back of the driving license. In Kanji there is a stamp in a mixture of black and red. Google lens tells me something about exemption but its not all that clear. If I understand correctly though….I *may* be exempt. If anyone could shed light here I’d be very happy.
TIA
8 comments
If you don’t need the 初心者マーク, it’s gonna be written in the back of your license.
I am not entirely sure but I think you need the mark.
That being said, when I learned the mark was necessary I had already driven here for a year without it lol
This [page](https://www.police.pref.kanagawa.jp/tetsuzuki/menkyo/mes83046.html) on the Kanagawa Prefecture Police website says that if you can prove that you spent over a consecutive year in your home country after gaining your foreign drivers license, you are exempt from beginner driver rules like shoshinsha mark.
Realistically speaking though, I think it would be bothersome to carry this proof with you every time you drive your car in case a cop asks for your license. Maybe less hassle just to place the sticker on your car.
It is not such a hassle to have. Just comply with it
If not then you can learn the penalty here
[https://jaf.or.jp/common/kuruma-qa/category-accident/subcategory-traffic-violation/faq306](https://jaf.or.jp/common/kuruma-qa/category-accident/subcategory-traffic-violation/faq306)
Does the stamp in the memo field on the back of you license say this?
初心者標識免除
This is a statement that you are exempt from using the mark. I had this on my first license as well, and did not need to use the mark.
You mentioned a red stamp. This is probably from the office that issued the license.
In general though, even if you don’t need the mark, I’d carry one until you get used to Japanese traffic and roads anyways.
I am surprised they didn’t make you buy it at the gift shop on your way out. When I covered my license at Fuchu they made me buy a over priced green sign and told me to use it for the first year. I think it does make sense to use it since going from left handed drive to right handed drive is a big jump
You were definitely notified when you got your license, they gave you a piece of paper where it states that you need to put the begginers mark on your car (costs literally nothing) for the first year of your beginners license.