TRANSPORTATION
Parking It is fairly common to encounter parked vehicles that are dangerously blocking traffic. Although you may see some drivers on Okinawa parking wherever they want, do not follow suit. Park in designated areas when off base or you may have to pay a hefty fine at a local police station to get your car back. You may also be required to pay towing and storage fees.
License Plates You can recognize other SOFAstatus drivers by their “Y,” “E” and “A” license plates.
Fluids Okinawa can become very hot during the summer, so check your oil, radiator and battery fluid levels more often than you might in the U.S. If fluids evaporate, cars may overheat or not start at all.
Towing
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VEHICLE TIPS Active-duty service members and all civilian SOFA ID card holders who have no intention of selling their vehicle must deregister it prior to PCSing or purchasing another vehicle. Car owners who abandon and do not properly dispose of their vehicles will be traced for all costs incurred, including towing, deregistration and disposal. MCCS Typhoon Motors Auto Recovery Center will dispose of your vehicle(s) for FREE—including deregistration fees and disposal towing (for disposal towing, patrons must complete disposal documents). All Japanese taxes and fees must be current and payments can be made at the Auto Recovery Center. Vehicles must be registered to the patron. If not, a valid power of attorney is needed for deregistration. For more information, call 645-1799.
If your car is impounded off base, call PMO at (098) 970-7441 for the location of the nearest Japanese police station. If your car is towed while on a Marine Corps installation, call 637-2210/6073. If towed on Kadena, call 634-2475. If your car breaks down, keep in mind that MCCS offers islandwide towing services (9 a.m.–6 p.m. daily) for people with automotive problems. To schedule your pick-up, call 090-3794-2556.
Road Tax Annual road taxes are due each May and range from ¥1,000 to ¥40,000, payable at almost every base during specific dates and times (which is publicized well in advance). Minicar (“A” plate) and motorcycle taxes must be paid at Japanese city offices in April. OKINAWA GUIDE 2021–2022 | 41
