Hi, I'm looking for specialized info for a friend in Atsugi. She's Japanese; her husband is retired from the military, but also has a SOFA job on base.  He has a SOFA license and drives a Y-plate car; she does NOT have a SOFA license and drives a Japanese-plate car.

So, she wants to buy a Y-plate car and doesn't know what to do.  Her husband says she has to figure this out by herself, and I'm just trying to help.

#1:  I assume to buy a Y-plate car, she'll need a SOFA license (true or false?)

#2:  Will she need power of attorney from her husband to do this?

#3:  Will she have to take AOB or some kinda class at Atsugi before getting a license like an American spouse would need? Considering she's driven for years in Japan can this be waived?

#4:  Does she need anything else, like a Logistical Support Letter or something, to prove that she's in SOFA status?

#5: What office on base should she visit for licensing questions?  I'm on a Marine Corps base and everything here has different names. I don't know who to tell her to see in Atsugi about this.

Any help is appreciated, as soon as possible. She wants to take care of it this week.  Thanks!

On Camp Foster the vechical registration office usually takes care of every except for the SOFA driving test. She should be able to have her questions answered At the vehical registration office nearest to her.

Hope this shed some light...

1: I assume to buy a Y-plate car, she'll need a SOFA license (true or false?)
Yes, she will need a Sofa license prior. In order for her to get her Sofa license, she must make an appointment for the mandatory New Comers Orientation Training ( approximately 6 hours ), it's like a briefing. During this briefing, there will be a representative from base Safety branch to get her pre-register for the Sofa license. Since she currently holds a valid Japanese license, all she has to do is go to the Safety office (after completed the entire training) to get her actual Sofa license (takes less than 5 minutes). If I'm not mistaken, you can't leave the session, and at the very end she has to sign on a log sheet.

#2: Will she need power of attorney from her husband to do this?

It's best to have her husband together during the initial phase at the vehicle registration office. You can print and give her the following:

・車検証
・ワークシート
・委任状（双方）　悟からもらえます。
・ナンバープレート

・印鑑証明書


ワークシートは軍の登録事務所でもらえます。


封印があるので車を陸事に持ってこないといけない



• Change your JCI (Japanese Compulsory Insurance) Policy; buy American Insurance and bring 2010 Road tax receipt.

• Japanese Bill of Sale and Letter of Attorney (may be at JCVRO), Stamp Registration paper from your local City office

• Come to JCVRO (Vehicle Registration office at Atsugi) , Pay $20.00, then you need to go behind the bldg for safety inspection of your vehicle.

• GOV Sticker, pay Y1500 and get an initial Y-plate

• Go to the Japanese Vehicle Registration office (Atsugi) and pay Y1880 at the designated desk.

• Come back to Atsugi JCVRO

#3: Will she have to take AOB or some kinda class at Atsugi before getting a license like an American spouse would need? Considering she's driven for years in Japan can this be waived?

N/A

#4: Does she need anything else, like a Logistical Support Letter or something, to prove that she's in SOFA status?

N/A

#5: What office on base should she visit for licensing questions? I'm on a Marine Corps base and everything here has different names. I don't know who to tell her to see in Atsugi about this.

Best to contact Vehicle Registration Office:
DSN: 315-264-3805
Commercial: 011-81-467-63-2660
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Wednesday 8 a.m. - noon.

Guys, the rules must have made a change towards the ignorant. My Japanese spouse just had to take her SOFA letter (I am a Contractor) and her JN License to the base driver's license office and they put a red-ink stamp on the back of her JN license and issued her a SOFA driver's license. NO test, NO meeting, NO anything...took maybe five minutes total.

I guess each Camp enforce different policies. My info is based here on Okinawa. Thanks