View Full Version : MCB or OKI Driving Laws
djfmf
11-09-2008, 08:14 PM
My only question is, is it illegal to drive without your front and rear bumper of a car? if so, is it written under a law or MCB order? the reason why is i'm trying to repaint parts of my car and would like to redo the front and rear.
uriel
11-09-2008, 09:26 PM
i've been told that it's illegal by both sets of laws. granted, i can't read japanese, so i must go off of what people tell me.
Obe1Canole
11-09-2008, 11:17 PM
i wouldn't worry about the Japanese side of the issue, they usually don't care about that stuff. Hell, I only see them around once a month when they stand in front of their station with a stick checking for speeders. As far as MCB is concerned, check it out: http://kadenaservices.com/auto/jsvro.htm
If it ain't in there it aint nowhere.
Tanimaga
11-09-2008, 11:31 PM
There's always the catchall... If it doesn't pass JCI inspection standards, it isn't legal. Don't know how long you have been on Okinawa, but anything that takes the vehicle out of factory condition (to a point) can be illegal. Any aftermarket rims.. tires other than what is listed on the door sticker..etc..
If you are going thru the gate, chances are you'll get questioned. Out in town.. less chance I would guess.
TheLastDon
11-09-2008, 11:53 PM
There's always the catchall... If it doesn't pass JCI inspection standards, it isn't legal. Don't know how long you have been on Okinawa, but anything that takes the vehicle out of factory condition (to a point) can be illegal. Any aftermarket rims.. tires other than what is listed on the door sticker..etc..
If you are going thru the gate, chances are you'll get questioned. Out in town.. less chance I would guess.
I have to disagree with the underlined part. As long as the tires don't stick out past the fender or lower or raise the car significantly you are aok. Unless you are just trying to be funny. :)
Tanimaga
11-10-2008, 12:11 AM
Nope. It is in the inspection standards... but not usually enforced. Any thing other than stock can get you a ticket.
I remember getting "busted" for other than stock rims, and aftermarket steering wheel back in the day.
You know by mil regs, racing stripes, polka dots, camo pattern, and vehicles with more than a three color paint scheme can get ticketed?
Tanimaga
11-10-2008, 12:20 AM
I understand your point though.. standards have gotten more flexible over the last couple decades. I think it is more of a PMO interpretation issue, changing with whoever is in command at the time.
hankypanky
11-11-2008, 08:58 AM
Just be careful this month though. Police will be out alot in the next 6-8 weeks trying to boost up the kitty for bonus time for new years. need all the hard cash they can muster:cursing:
I have to disagree with the underlined part. As long as the tires don't stick out past the fender or lower or raise the car significantly you are aok. Unless you are just trying to be funny. :)
If the car is going in for inspection I agree with Tani. Yet for just driving around, it could all very well depend on the cops at the time too I would think.
Either way it is taking a chance, just like cops in the states might, might I repeat stop you for a burned out tail light, I would say that you run the same chances here.
Just be careful this month though. Police will be out alot in the next 6-8 weeks trying to boost up the kitty for bonus time for new years. need all the hard cash they can muster:cursing:
Hank it's the bonenkai season and the cops are looking for drunk dirvers. :thumbup1:
If it was to pay for their bonuses they would have been doing it months ago seeing as how the cops, who are government employees get their semi-annual bonuses around the first Friday of December or so.
I agree it's better to be careful around the end of the year, and let's not forget the mornings after too, because they are checking now as well.
For all I care they can drag all the people who are under the influence or drunk off to the pokie. Keeps the streets safer for all our kids!
hankypanky
11-11-2008, 04:44 PM
yeah i know bonenkei, but traffic check points during the work day, middle of a sat afternoon, yeah a few drunks but that's not going to bring in the money like speeding, licenses etc.
yeah i know bonenkei, but traffic check points during the work day, middle of a sat afternoon, yeah a few drunks but that's not going to bring in the money like speeding, licenses etc.
Actually drunks are going to bring in a hell of a lot more money I would bet, seeing as the fines are up to 1,000,000 yen and prison terms possible as well.
I have a couple of friends that are guards at the prison and they have told me that there are plenty of people in prison because they CAN'T pay the fines and have to work them off at a few thousand yen per day.
Highlights of new Japanese traffic laws: (http://www.pacaf.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123066866)
1. Driving Under the Influence, BAC .08 or higher
Previous maximum sentence: Imprisonment with hard labor not to exceed 3 years or a fine not exceeding 500,000 yen
New maximum: Imprisonment with hard labor not to exceed 5 years or fine not exceeding 1,000,000 yen.
2. Driving While Impaired, BAC .03 to .79
Previous maximum sentence: Imprisonment with hard labor not to exceed 1 year or a fine not exceeding 300,000 yen
New maximum: Imprisonment with hard labor not to exceed 3 years or a fine not exceeding 500,000 yen
3. Providing an intoxicated person with a vehicle (new law)
Maximum sentence: Same punishment as a drunken driver receives shall be applied.
4. Providing a person with alcohol who subsequently gets a DUI or DWI (new law)
Maximum sentence: Imprisonment with hard labor not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding 500,000 yen for DUI; 2 years imprisonment, 300,000 yen fine for DWI
5. Riding as passengers in a vehicle operated by an intoxicated person (new law)
Maximum sentence: Imprisonment with hard labor not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding 500,000 yen for DUI; 2 years imprisonment, 300,000 yen fine for DWI
6. Rejecting balloon (sobriety) test
Previous maximum punishment: Fine not exceeding 300,000 yen
New maximum: Confinement not exceeding 3 months or fine not exceeding 500,000 yen
7. Hit and run
Previous maximum sentence: Confinement not exceeding 5 years or fine not exceeding 500,000 yen
New maximum: Confinement not exceeding 10 years or fine not exceeding 1,000,000 yen
Hank I would say that these fines are a hell of a lot more money in the bank for the cops than speeding tickets.
Shit, if they want money all they have to do is drive down 330 and ticket all those ******* assholes parking illegally blocking traffic. Not only do they block traffic, but they'll park in bus stops to talk on their phone while the damn bus is honking their horn at them to move and blocking even more traffic. Between the illegal parking and the young military punks thinking this is Tokyo Drift or some shit, 330 is a gold mine.
hankypanky
11-11-2008, 08:23 PM
all i'm saying is a traffic stop during the day, which many of them are when there looking for vehicle mods, happen during the daylight. Your going to catch alot more non-licensed, non-insurance, seatbelts, speeding than u will at night when they are looking for drunks.
Of course 1 dui = 100+ moving violations, the jackpot.
hankypanky
11-11-2008, 08:27 PM
Actually drunks are going to bring in a hell of a lot more money I would bet, seeing as the fines are up to 1,000,000 yen and prison terms possible as well.
I have a couple of friends that are guards at the prison and they have told me that there are plenty of people in prison because they CAN'T pay the fines and have to work them off at a few thousand yen per day.
Hank I would say that these fines are a hell of a lot more money in the bank for the cops than speeding tickets.
but the food is so good:D
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