She successfully passed the drivers test and was provided with a. This includes all military, department of defense dod civilians, dod contractors, and their authorized. Check with your state department of motor vehicles to see if they have a military extension policy and what you must do to get the extension. Drinking and driving and illegal drugs are dealt with very severely by both japanese and military authorities. First time drivers never applied and received a drivers license. The minimum age to obtain a restricted driver license in the us varies from 14 years, three months in south dakota to as high as 17 in new jersey. In most states, a graduated licensing law applies to newlylicensed teenage drivers, going by names such as provisional driver, junior operator, probationary driver, or intermediate license. Valid usfk sofa drivers license, contractors are not required to have a usfk drivers license as they must have a drivers license issued by the host nation. Marine corps installations pacific staff and sections. If your pov license has expired, you will have to take the test again. Individuals will need to make an appointment with the area. Depending on where you are moving from your valid drivers license may be directly exchanged for a florida drivers license. International driving permits are not a mediumtolong term substitute for a japanese drivers license. Personnel are advised to have their stateside drivers license, idcac card, and usareur license when driving in germany, as well as with an international drivers permit when outside the country.
Points issued against a driver s license in florida remain on the license for at least 10 years. All requirements for obtaining a sofa license must be. The state of florida issues its citizens points against their driver s license for infractions occurring anywhere in the united states. Marine, civilian or dependent to drive on okinawa or mainland japan, you must obtain a valid usfj4 ej, us forces japan operators permit. All drivers are required to have a valid driver s license. Jul 14, 2006 by regulation, an international license is not an acceptable alternative to the usareur license if a person is here under the sofa. To drive any vehicle private or government owned in japan, you as a sofa sponsored member, must be properly licensed with a u. What is the difference between overtaking and passing.
Students must be in the appropriate uniform of the day uod in order to attend this course. Complete a usfj4ej renewal drivers application card pink card. Japanese drivers license nonsofanoninternational licensed personnel. Sofa licensed drivers are subject to steeper fines and more severe. All area ii sofa sponsored personnel and eligible family members can obtain a civilian drivers license andor military driver license. A valid current drivers license issued by the country specified in usfj instruction 31205 a prerequisite to obtaining a drivers license at cfay is proof of attendance at the area orientation brief and intercultural relations class aobicr. The way to calculate the recommended distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Card, dependent id card, or authorized id card present at the time of license issuance. Driver training, testing and licensing usfk drivers license. Once your paperwork is signed and approved, you will pick up license from the same building 765. Note 51 sfs will assign a date and time for license pick up based on workload. Applicants must be at least 18 to drive off base, as that is the driving age in japan. All bases require a valid stateside or international drivers license. Privatelyowned vehicle pov usfj form 4ej operators permit sofa license management issuance, renewal, etc.
You can update your information by bringing a copy of your new orders or letter of employment to the cfay drivers license office. Same sofa drivers license, but requirements differ between. Sofa licensed driver may find themselves faced with when operating a motor vehicle onoff base. Driving privilege and license to drive any vehicle private or government owned in japan, you as a sofa sponsored member, must be properly licensed with a u. If your license is from one of the countries that requires tests in order to get a japanese drivers license, you will need to submit your documents, take a short written test, and pass a driving test on an enclosed course at a testing center before you can get your license. These licenses restrict certain driving privileges, such as. To obtain a rok drivers license, you should have a valid u. The written test tests your knowledge of the basic safe driving and. All sofa status usfk military personnel, usfk civilian appropriated and nonappropriated employees, usfk technical representatives, and family members of the aforementioned personnel must also possess a valid u. Schedule your pov drivers test through your unit vcovnco and they will provide their personnel with the pov study guide usfk 9852 guide to safe driving in korea and necessary paperwork to obtain a pov license. To obtain a sofa drivers license all personnel will.
International driving permit under the convention of road traffic on sep. Sofa license renewals are based on current stateside license, please ensure you have a state license to cover the duration of your tour in japan. Okinawa, drivers test, driving exam, traffic, license. Individuals under the age of 18 years are strictly. Persons found driving in japan without a legal license are subject to fines, arrest and possible deportation. The nationality which country your passport is issued will not affect the the validity of the license or permit necessary to drive in japan. Follow the link below to access the most current version of the handbook for driving in okinawa. Driver license commander, navy installations command. Bring your completed 374 aw form 50, your driver in japan booklet, pen, paper, and your current drivers license us or other country to right start or local conditions orientation when you arrive. All requirements for obtaining a sofa license must be met before obtaining a motorcycle endorsement. But, other nations in europe do not recognize the usareur license as a valid license for operating motor vehicles within their borders. Camp humphreys usag humphreys vehicle registration. Personnel who have a letter of approval by the usag humphreys commander for exception to policy. A foreign drivers license must be in the form of a valid full license, and the holders of a temporary, learner, provisional, probationary, permit, certificate etc.
To drive any vehicle private or government owned in japan, you as a sofa sponsored member, must be properly licensed with. Rok drivers license or international driver license. To become a licensed driver in okinawa, you will need to obtain a sofa license. Yes, you can get a divers license on a tourist visa, you do not need to be a resident. Drivers are reminded to remain vigilant, obey all traffic laws, and drive defensively at all times to ensure safely navigating a motorized vehicle during your overseas tour. The shape drivers license is only valid in belgium. You cannot obtain an international driving permit at the embassy. Study 24 terms okinawa sofa permit test flashcards quizlet. Must take the hq usareur driver s test must have a valid us driver s license not provisional or restricted must possess the usareur driver s permit while operating a usareur plated vehicle must be 17 years old or older. Contractors must obtain an updated sofa letter through the mcb sja or service equivalent and provide a letter of employment. If anyone had a sofa drivers license, then separated and came back to japan, the process for a japanese drivers license is very easy. Headquarters united states forces korea united states.
Concurrently, a sofa license is a common term for a military issued driver s license permitting service members and families to operate vehicles in the country. May 21, 2019 driving in germany is a privilege, not a right. Converting your out of state drivers license to a florida. Marine corps air station iwakuni vehicle registration. Authorized japanese translation for driver s license issued in. How to manage a longdistance relationship with the dmv. If your pov license is expired for more than 30 days, you will retest regardless if you tested for the initial sofa license or not.
All bases require a valid stateside or international driver s license. Already have a drivers license recognized by florida. By regulation, an international license is not an acceptable alternative to the usareur license if a person is here under the sofa. Renewal drivers application cards are available at the pov licensing office. Authorized japanese translation for drivers license issued in. The state of florida issues its citizens points against their drivers license for infractions occurring anywhere in the united states. If test is passed you will take your paperwork to building 765, pass and id. License pickup procedures driver s license pickup procedure renewing the usfj form 4ej operators permit sofa license for personnel with an expired stateside license where they cannot renew online or in the mail and the only way to renew is returning back to the state where the license was issued. All personnel assigned to the kmc who require driving privileges. Switzerland, germany, france, taiwan, belgium, estonia or monaco.
Must take the hq usareur drivers test must have a valid us drivers license not provisional or restricted must possess the usareur drivers permit while operating a usareur plated vehicle must be 17 years old or older. An international driver s permit idp a valid government of japan driver s license a written proof that they have successfully completed a certified formal driving course a valid current driver s license issued by the country specified in usfj instruction 31205. It only took one day with no tests and i they issued me japanese license. Duplicate license requirements present a valid picture dod id card. Concurrently, a sofa license is a common term for a military issued drivers license permitting service members and families to operate vehicles in the country. Prior to the end of the 90 day grace period, a new texas resident must apply for a texas license in person at any driver license office to.
Driving overseas eighth army the united states army. New texas residents can legally drive with a valid, unexpired driver license from another u. All drivers are required to have a valid drivers license. If your pov license is expired for more than 30 days, you will retest regardless if you tested for the initial sofa license or. Import or customs shipping documents normally provided by email from the vpc valid dod idcac. Invited contractors, their employees including koreans and dependents of contractors who operate a pov in the republic of korea, must first obtain a valid rok drivers license. If you have the drivers license issued in switzerland, germany, france, taiwan, belgium, slovenia, or monaco, you can drive in japan for one 1 year from the date of entry to japan, provided you carry your license together with the japanese translation. Ensure you register to attend local conditionsdrivers training by calling 3152258725 or emailing. Driving without a valid driver s license, aiding and abetting another to drivewithout a valid driver s license, improper acquisition of a driver s license and knowinglyloaning a vehicle to someone who does not possess a valid driver s license can result with afine and or punishment of up to 3 years confinement and no more than 500,000 yen.
Yokosuka naval base directory drivers license office. That means a lot of new drivers showing up at the local dmv offices. Same sofa drivers license, but requirements differ. Oct 29, 20 to obtain a sofa stamp, you should visit a u. Since the guide staff always leads, do not worry about the unfamiliar japanese road. Driving without a valid drivers license, aiding and abetting another to drivewithout a valid drivers license, improper acquisition of a drivers license and knowinglyloaning a vehicle to someone who does not possess a valid drivers license can result with afine and or punishment of up to 3 years confinement and no more than 500,000 yen. All area ii sofa sponsored personnel and eligible family members can obtain a civilian driver s license andor military driver license. After arriving to the country, all incoming personnel who are eligible to drive must go to the drivers testing station in bldg. Usfj form 4ej operators permit sofa license for newly arriving licensed personnel. All sofa members of usfk military, the civilian component including technical. Us military personnel in japan enjoy sofaprotected driving.
Heres what four of the largerpopulation states require to renew expired drivers licenses. In these nations, motorists must carry a valid international drivers license. You cannot obtain an international driving permit at the. Invited contractors, their employees including koreans and dependents of contractors who operate a pov in the republic of korea, must first obtain a valid rok driver s license. We serve all status of forces agreement sofa personnel assigned to bases and units in okinawa, japan. At the time of applying for a license, a background check. Their driving licenses will not be suspended or revoked by japanese. To drive a vehicle legally in japan, you will need an international driving permit idp etc. It is important to obtain your sofa stamp before heading overseas. Applicants must present a stateside drivers license to take the test. In massachusetts point system is known as safe driver insurance plan sdip. An international drivers permit idp a valid government of japan drivers license a written proof that they have successfully completed a certified formal driving course a valid current drivers license issued by the country specified in usfj instruction 31205.