changing Y plate to Kanji plate

[JosefK]

anyone been there done that? How difficult is it and what are the costs involved...

any advice appreciated

[DoctorP]

It used to be on the JSVRO webpage, but can't find it for you right now. If you go down there (Foster) they have the information already printed up for you (or at least they used to).

[Ammoyankee]

I am not sure if it is the same now as it was years back but the vehicle has to be deregistered when going from "Y" to Kanji. Which means you would have to redo the JCI upon registering again.

[DoctorP]

Yes Ammo you are right...it is still that way.

[JosefK]

Ok cool thanks - I'll also have a hunt for that info on the JSVRO webpage...

[Isaak Brodsky]

anyone been there done that? How difficult is it and what are the costs involved...

any advice appreciated

i've done it, and it is a royal pain in the arse. wouldn't wish it on anyone. it's much easier to just sell the car and buy one with a kanji plate already on it. this advice may be helpful to you. if not, if you're intent on keeping the car, go to pmo on foster and get as much information as possible. they're helpful if you really bleed 'em for information. one confusing part of the process is actually find the exact place you need to go near kinser to do the admininstrative stuff and to pay all of the fees and taxes. if your car is in excellent shape, no worries. you'll likely plass the goj inspection. cheers.

[DoctorP]

The LTO office is not that hard to find. JSVRO has a map to it...and there is a huge sign that says LTO -----> Not too hard.

[Bones]

Why would anyone want to do this? Just curious.

[Oki alumni]

Why would anyone want to do this? Just curious.

Old farts (like myself) who no longer have SOFA, HAVE to either get the car re-registered with Kanji plates or buy one that already has 'em. I got lucky because my Y plate vehicle expired along with my SOFA status, and I had the wife purchase a yellow-plate vehicle.:first: You CAN still get an installation pass for your Kanji plate vehicle IF you are otherwise authorized. THAT is a piece of cake at Yokota. Don't know about how things are cross-service wise, and down there in Okinawa though.

Other reasons COULD include having MORE than just the one vehicle authorized per owner, by having one of the vehicles registered "downtown"...need to prove you have a parking place for it here on the mainland.

-Oki Alumni:old: (Who is VERY fortunate to have both a beautiful AND talented Japanese wife!!!)

[Brand_X]

I did that about 3 months ago. wasnt that bad. When you go to the VRO on Foster let them know you want to change to kanji plate. You dont even have to deregister. Do the paperwork and pay the difference on the JCI and have it reinspected at LTO and they will give you a new title. Then you just have to get the plates and your done. Every step has a fee you need to pay at each office but not that bad if you really want to keep your car. This was the condensed version there is a little more to it. They have all the details at the foster VRO.

Almost any garage or used car dealer can also do it for you.

[Bones]

As posted by Oki Alumni:

Old farts (like myself) who no longer have SOFA, HAVE to either get the car re-registered with Kanji plates or buy one that already has 'em. I got lucky because my Y plate vehicle expired along with my SOFA status, and I had the wife purchase a yellow-plate vehicle. You CAN still get an installation pass for your Kanji plate vehicle IF you are otherwise authorized. THAT is a piece of cake at Yokota. Don't know about how things are cross-service wise, and down there in Okinawa though.

Other reasons COULD include having MORE than just the one vehicle authorized per owner, by having one of the vehicles registered "downtown"...need to prove you have a parking place for it here on the mainland.

Yeah, those are all valid reasons. Just wondering why a younger person might want to do it, other than to avoid being caught off-base during a lock-down. Road tax for my car cost me 45,000 yen, but it's a new car. Off-base insurance is sky high as well, but I have big feet and can't drive a yellow plate because of it.

Car inspection will be due in Nov., but since it's a new car the dealer will handle that, so I don't expect to be gouged too badly.

Just have to wait and see I guess.:old:

[CPOCPO]

what is the difference between the two plates?

Thanks.

[hankypanky]

what is the difference between the two plates?

Thanks.

sofa/non-sofa

[CPOCPO]

sofa/non-sofa


Let me guess- Y plates are the sofa ones and they receive 5x more tickets?


I am glad they changed those rules in Europe. Local nationals and military all have the same plates.

[hankypanky]

Let me guess- Y plates are the sofa ones and they receive 5x more tickets?


I am glad they changed those rules in Europe. Local nationals and military all have the same plates.

not really other than parking tickets. many of the local cops dont want to deal with translation etc. parking tickets, just slap it on and collect at the end of the day. :grin1:

[Oki alumni]

what is the difference between the two plates?

Thanks.

A "few" thousand yen at road tax time! owwwwwchhhh! Vehicles with "Y" (or equivalent for mini-cars and motorcycles/mopeds) plates pay no Japanese "sales tax" as such.

-Oki Alumni

[Muku]

As posted by Oki Alumni:



Yeah, those are all valid reasons. Just wondering why a younger person might want to do it, other than to avoid being caught off-base during a lock-down. Road tax for my car cost me 45,000 yen, but it's a new car. Off-base insurance is sky high as well, but I have big feet and can't drive a yellow plate because of it.

Car inspection will be due in Nov., but since it's a new car the dealer will handle that, so I don't expect to be gouged too badly.

Just have to wait and see I guess.:old:

Dont go and scare people here Bones car insurance off base is not sky high.

I pay 48,000 yen or roughly $450.00 per year for car insurance. If that is sky high then everyone on base must be getting insurance for free.

Oh and my insurance coverage is called "Perfect Insurance" which covers damn near anything and everything. Even down to paying for rental cars, and towing costs.

Another thing is that AGE has nothing to do with it. But of course I am sure you wont be back to comment, hit and miss as usual:rolleyes:

[Muku]

anyone been there done that? How difficult is it and what are the costs involved...

any advice appreciated

I see no one has covered this so I will ask the obvious dumb question here:D

Do you have an off base sponsor or address? Can you legally register the car in Japan yourself.

[DoctorP]

Dont go and scare people here Bones car insurance off base is not sky high.

I pay 48,000 yen or roughly $450.00 per year for car insurance. If that is sky high then everyone on base must be getting insurance for free.

Oh and my insurance coverage is called "Perfect Insurance" which covers damn near anything and everything. Even down to paying for rental cars, and towing costs.

Another thing is that AGE has nothing to do with it. But of course I am sure you wont be back to comment, hit and miss as usual:rolleyes:

Age will play a factor on some policies...such as if you have a new driver. At least it does on my K-truck.

Also type of license makes a difference. Blue license has a higher premium than a gold one.

My insurance was Y18,000 for a year of coverage.

[macker]

Muku,

What Insurance company do you use? I'm in the market!

[OKI4EVR]

I did that about 3 months ago. wasnt that bad. When you go to the VRO on Foster let them know you want to change to kanji plate. You dont even have to deregister. Do the paperwork and pay the difference on the JCI and have it reinspected at LTO and they will give you a new title. Then you just have to get the plates and your done. Every step has a fee you need to pay at each office but not that bad if you really want to keep your car. This was the condensed version there is a little more to it. They have all the details at the foster VRO.

Almost any garage or used car dealer can also do it for you.

what was the damage for you when you did this and do you have 500 or 300 plate? :)

[Muku]

Age will play a factor on some policies...such as if you have a new driver. At least it does on my K-truck.

Also type of license makes a difference. Blue license has a higher premium than a gold one.

My insurance was Y18,000 for a year of coverage.

Ok let me clarify my previous statement I wasnt refering to age for insurance when I wrote that last line, Bones was talking about age as in changing the car from a "Y" plate to a "漢字" one.
Just wondering why a younger person might want to do it, other than to avoid being caught off-base during a lock-down.

It's true that the age of the driver makes a difference in insurance, whether one has a green, blue or gold license matters as well.

My daughter is 21 and she pays 6,000 yen per month for her car, on a blue license, and her insurance coverage is the same as mine. Still though roughly $700 per year for insurance is not bad, and will go down as she gets older.

Oh and I will bet your 18,000 per year is really basic coverage as well.

Also as a person gains experience driving here, the tokyu will go up and the rates will drop accordingly.

Either way rates off base are not sky high as you have verified here as well!:thumbup1:

I also doubt that Bones feet are that much larger than mine (33) and I have a Suzuki Kei, automatic, and I can drive it just fine. It's a fun little car and saves me a lot of money. Keeps the mileage off my van too:D

[Muku]

Muku,

What Insurance company do you use? I'm in the market!

I use Sonpo Japan (http://www.sompo-japan.co.jp/), my coverage comes through the company that one of my cars is leased through.

I/We, my family that is have 4 cars insured through them.

I would also suggest checking out Alico Japan (http://www.alico.co.jp/)

The links are only in Japanese:eek: