The first time I had the experience of going somewhere in a vehicle on okinawa was when my husband picked me up from the airport to bring us to our new home. I must say I was instantly taken ill. I felt as though I was on a really bad rollercoaster ride! I’m not sure if it was just the driving or the jet lag as it took me three days to get to okinawa. (But I will leave the efficiency of military travel for another article!) It took all I had to not scream at my husband to get on the right side of the road. Not to mention that since I was sitting on the left hand side of the car I kept trying very hard to push my brake which of course wasn’t there! Then of course there were the taxi drivers and buses that ran around like they owned the place. There was also the fact that red lights seemed optional. I knew this was going to take a lot of getting used to… And now a year later I wonder what it will be like to drive in the States again! I am so used to being on the left side of the road, that I can just imagine my conversation with a member of the local police force… “No officer, I have not been drinking. Yes I know I was in the left lane. Yes know I went through the red light, but I was only the first person through it!” I fear I may be to used to Japanese driving now!

Driving on okinawa is quite an experience, to say the least. Consider it a privilege that American servicemembers are allowed to obtain licenses since driving is considered a “profession” in Japan. When I say profession I don’t mean just for taxi or bus drivers, I mean ALL drivers. Japanese law and road rules are very different from those in the United States. Under Japanese law if you are a licensed driver then you are a professional driver and being a professional driver means that you will never make any mistakes. Professional drivers have no need to honk their horn, slam on their brakes, have their cars breakdown or run out of gas. You can actually be fined for all of the things. This is the main reason (among others) that guidelines for obtaining a USFJ POV SOFA (U.S. Forces Japan Privately Owned Vehicle Status Of Forces Agreement) drivers license are so strict.

Before you can take the driving test, you must first have a few things in order. You must have an up-to-date U.S. driver’s license, your military ID, a copy of your orders and if you are active duty almost all commands require that you complete a Drivers Improvement Course. This is also usually required for all non-military persons under the age of 26. In the DIC class you will learn all about driving on okinawa and will receive many helpful hints. So when you complete the course and have all your paperwork in order, you go to the licensing office on your base. For accompanied spouses your spouse must go with you to sign some papers. Once you are checked in you will take a written test and as long as you pass you will become a licensed driver in Japan! Now of course there are always exceptions. Marines with rank of Corporal and below stationed on Futenma on unaccompanied one year tours must first have permission from their command before they can take a drivers test. There are also a lot of exceptions for new drivers under the age of 18. So it is best to call ahead to your base Safety Office and make sure of the local requirements before paying a vist. The number for the Safety Office on Camp Foster is: 645-3783; Kadena Air Base: 634-4172, and on Torii Station: 644-4103. They will be able to answer any licensing questions you may have.

Now before you start driving on island, it pays to know a few things. As I mentioned before, rules of the road are a bit different here. For starters everything is backwards! Drivers are seated on the right side of the car (unless it is an approved American car that has been shipped in), and you drive your vehicle on the left side of the road. Brake and accelerator are in the same places but your turn signal and wipers have traded places. It’s easy to spot new drivers because they always turn their wipers on when they want to turn! Besides being backwards, vehicles are pretty much the same as in the States. You must always remember to keep your car in good working order because breakdowns on narrow roads or on the expressway are hazards and are ticket offenses, as is running out of gas or not having the proper fluids available. Your horn is only supposed to be used in emergencies or when required by a traffic sign. (On some very curved roads you must honk before entering the turn)

Driving is just like driving at home only with a few new rules and traffic that moves much slower. Speed is measured in kilometers per hour in okinawa. A kilometer is approximately 5/8 of a mile or .62 of a mile. So when the maximum posted limit is 50 km/hr, you are actually going about 31 miles per hour. The average maximum speeds on island are between 40 and 60 kph (25 to 37 mph). Although this may seem slow, in reality it will be slower because traffic is very congested in most cities. So if you have a lead foot normally, Sorry! One thing you will learn right away is that red lights are optional, at least to Okinawans. As ambassadors for the U.S. we are expected to uphold all traffic rules. You will see that it is safer to wait a few seconds after your light turns green before going because you can almost guarantee that at least 2 or 3 cars will pass through the red before someone actually stops for it! Another thing you will notice that actually is law is that buses, taxi’s mopeds and motorcycles ALWAYS have the right of way. There are NO exceptions here, and you will learn that the first time you get cut off by a motorbike and nobody takes notice! There are many lanes marked bus exclusive or priority. If you are in the way of a bus, you had better move quickly because if you don’t you will get ticketed. Taxis may seem as though they are crazed maniacs, but they are following the rules for them. Their livelihood is based on getting people where they need to be as quickly as possible and laws are written to help them do so. Although there are some times when I believe they may actually be crazed maniacs as they drive down a center median to beat traffic!

It all takes some getting used to but after a while it should all seem normal. As for me, I was wary of getting a license but decided I was ready when it didn’t shock me to see a small child stick his hand out to oncoming traffic and run out into it! (School children are taught to hold their hand out to traffic while crossing the street). Although I think I will always cringe when I see infants, toddlers and small children traveling without a car seat or seat belt, it is believed here that the safest place for a child in a vehicle is in their parent’s arms. However it is required if you have a “Yankee” Y plate (military and government civilian license plates all have the letter ‘y’ on them and are affectionately know as Yankee plates) to have all children under 5 years and 50 lbs seated in carseats; and, as on any military installation, you must always wear a seatbelt. So although it may seem a bit scary, getting a license to drive isn’t all that difficult. Once you get over the initial car sickness you may learn to enjoy it, especially as you see the rest of the island. The scenic views off 58 heading north are beautiful! Get out there and go! Always remember to think safe and NEVER drink and drive!