Driving in Japan

After spending half a day in a driving class being indoctrinated on how to drive a motor vehicle in Japan, Kirk and I are both eligible to get our SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) driver's licenses! Kirk actually got her's today (look out Iwakuni!), but I am still waiting on an original copy of our Marriage License to come in the mail before I can get mine (see our previous post for more on that situation).

The class was very helpful to understand what all those signs with Japanese writing on them all mean - but we are by no means ready to start driving out in town! Not only will it be completely different driving on the left side of the road and driving from the right side of the car, but the roads and rules of the road are much different. We will definitely be practicing on base for a while before venturing out.

The penalties and fines in Japan are MUCH more severe than what we are used to in the United States. Basic traffic violations like getting a parking or speeding ticket will start around $500 and could result in jail time depending how fast you are going. If you cause an accident or get a DUI, well you might as well take out a loan and get a good lawyer because it is going to cost you and it will be a painful process. But one funny thing we found out is that you are forbidden from wearing "flip-flops" while driving, however driving barefoot is ok. Another difference is that in some areas it is implied that if you are driving on a side road and are approaching a main road that you need to stop - there may not be a stop sign at the intersection!

It should be interesting on how long it takes us to get used to driving over here - but I think we will use the bus and train system as much as possible when we need to go somewhere. We'll probably use the car for driving to and from the base (a future post will be coming on our search for a car!).