Getting your own carYou can purchase a car from a car dealer or from another person. The vehicle must be registered and must have an identification plate (license plate). The benefit of buying a car from a dealer is that they handle the procedures concerning car registration so you just need to prepare the required documents. Though the price might be cheaper if you buy the car from another person, you will need a Japanese person to help you with the forms and the processes involved.
When you purchase a car, a Vehicle Inspection Certificate is provided to show that your name and address are registered as the owner of the car, and the Certificate of Parking Space (Shako Shomeisho) issued from the police department will be required for the registration. |
Automobile InsuranceAll car owners must enroll in the Automobile Liability Insurance (Jidosha Songai Baisho Sekinin Hoken).
If you cause the car accident, the Automobile Liability Insurance may not cover all your medical expenses and charges for the repair of your car. It would be better to enroll in the voluntary insurance for your security. Ask the private casualty insurance companies for details. |
Automobile InspectionIn Japan, all vehicles must be inspected to ensure that they fit the safety standards. We call it “Automobile Inspection (Jidosha Kensa)”, for short “Car Inspection (Shaken)”. You are also required to have a regular inspection.
A new automobile should be taken for an inspection once in three years for the first time, and you must take your car in for inspection every two years from then on. Subcompact cars should be taken in for inspection in the same way as normal autos, but new freight subcompact cars should be inspected every two years. |