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Driving in Japan – Recommendations, Tips and Tricks
20. Attentive drivers will surely notice that there are usually no curbs at the intersection of pedestrian crossings and roads. This was made for wheelchair users in order to help them cross roads with ease.
21. Solid lines that separate different lanes are often equipped with rather large metal fettlings. At night, these fettlings glow, so drivers needn’t worry about crossing another lane neither in the daytime nor at night.
22. In addition to the usual "zebra" marking, many crossroads have an alternative way to cross the road – the overhead one. Pedestrians do not always have to wait for the traffic light to switch to green as the overhead crossing is always available.
23. Foreign drivers should remember that the international driving license is invalid in Japan. In order to drive vehicles, drivers must exchange the international driving license to the local one. It is worth noting that the exchange procedure is simple and free of long formalities.
24. Traffic violations in Japan are due to a number of serious penalties. For example, there is a risk of losing the driving license even for a small violation that can be categorized as minor in many countries.
Hints on Car Hire in Japan
When choosing a car for your Japan trip, don’t forget to check and compare the franchise amount (indicated in the rental conditions) for all cars considered in your selection. The franchise may vary from 200 to 2000 euro/dollars even for cars of the same class. A thorough comparison will allow you to choose the option with the lowest franchise.
During your booking, we will offer you to take a full coverage of the franchise ('No Risk' or 'No Excess' package). If you book a car without full coverage, it is recommended to take it at the pick-up time - this will substantially reduce your financial liability in Japan for the whole rental period.
During your car pick-up in Japan, do not forget to check what to do in breakdown-, accident- or theft-cases. Most of our offers include 'Breakdown Assistance' package. Besides this, every rental office would be happy to assist you with this package.
Prior to the car return, please check your voucher for the fuel conditions. If it is indicated that a driver shall return the car with a full tank, do not forget to refuel it on the way back, this will save you from additional charges at the rental office.
If you are looking for a car hire in Japan, we advise you to check OrangeSmile.com actual rental offers. Just use the orange search form at the top. We guarantee that you would not be able to find better rates anywhere else!
26. Speeding is a no less serious traffic violation. The amount of the fine depends on the excess of the speed. The minimum fine is approximately US$800. This type of traffic violation also implies driving license cancellation and imprisonment for up to 6 months.
27. Parking in a wrong place is one more violation with strict punishment. The minimum amount of the fine in this case is US$835. Moreover, the driver can be imprisoned for a period of up to 6 months.
28. Japan is one of the countries in the world, where the allowed blood alcohol content for drivers is 0.0 ppm. Driving while intoxicated is considered a serious violation, and so drivers are likely to face the following punishments: a fine of US$400, driving license cancellation, and the imprisonment of up to three years.
29. The violations that impose not only a fine, but also an imprisonment include damage caused to road signs and other traffic elements, driving a vehicle that does not meet safety standards, wrong crossing of railway intersections, and driving without the license.
30. As Japan is visited by numerous foreign visitors, many road signs in large cities and major highways have information in two languages - Japanese and English.
31. Not all residents of large cities have a private vehicle. First of all, many people simply do not need one thanks to excellent public transport system in large cities. In small provincial towns, where public transport is not so perfect, a car is a real necessity.
32. All kinds of roads have their own speed limits. In order to escape potential problems, drivers should not forget to pay attention to the road signs along roads. Within the city, the maximum permitted speed level is 40 km/h, and cars moving in the lane close to the pavement should not exceed the speed of 30 km/h. The maximal speed on highways is 80 km/h.
34. Drivers must always carry the car certificate, driving license and insurance. If the car does not belong to the driver, he must provide a proof of the right to drive the vehicle.
35. As it has been noted above, drivers should be particularly attentive when crossing a railway intersection. According to the traffic rules, the driver must stop and make sure that there is no train approaching, and only then start moving. In Japan, drivers in driving schools are also taught to open the window a little, so in case of danger they will be able to hear the noise of the approaching train.
36. When driving, it is not common to move from one lane to another. Moreover, drivers should not even try to cut in front of other cars. The use of sound signals is also not allowed. However, drivers should not forget to accompany their maneuvers by light signals.
37. If road signs, curbs and other barriers were damaged in case of a road accident, the driver who is guilty in the accident is required to pay for the damage done. For example, we can say that inattentive drivers will have to pay about US$6000 to repair the damaged traffic light.
38. In Japan, there are quite many toll roads. As a rule, payments are accepted in many different ways - in cash, by credit card or by using a special electronic device.
Popular cities in Japan with OrangeSmile.com rental points
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