Drivers reminded to pay road tax

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nestor Cruz
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Department of Defense employees on Okinawa must pay the annual Japanese road use fees commonly referred to as "road tax" in May. 

Kadena drivers can make road tax payments between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. May 18 to 22 at the base theater. 

Road tax fees will be assessed on approximately 28,000 DoD-owned vehicles this year, depending on vehicle type and engine size, which are indicated on the vehicle inspection title. With the exception of mini-cars and motorcycles, road tax fees for most vehicles will range from 7,500 to 32,000 yen. 

Road tax for motorcycles with 125CC engines and below is 500 yen and motorcycles with 126CC engines and above will be charged 1,000 yen. Road tax for mini-cars is 3,000 yen. Both must be paid at a local city office, but motorcycle decals will be available at all payment locations. All fees must be paid in yen. 

According to Jeff Wheatley, pass and registration supervisor at Camp Foster's Provost Marshall Office, Community Bank representatives will provide cash-only money exchange services at each payment location except Kadena and Torii Station. 

When paying road tax, members must bring a current military registration (DD Form 430), original title, Japanese compulsory insurance, current Personal Damage Insurance and the 2008 Road Tax receipt. Up to five vehicles can be paid for by one person. 

"If members are missing the Japanese original title, the 2008 road tax receipt or if they own a motorcycle or mini-car, they will not be able to pay their road tax at the event site," Mr. Wheatley said. 

He recommends members with missing documents seek assistance at the Joint Services Vehicle Registration office on Camp Foster. 

The deadline for paying the road tax is May 31, but since that date falls on a Sunday this year, Mr. Wheatley recommends paying by May 29. All DoD-owned vehicles must have a current road tax sticker by this deadline. 

"Even if members are planning to de-register their vehicles after the payment deadline, they are required to pay the road tax," Mr. Wheatley said.
Upon payment of the road tax, drivers will be given a 2009 road tax receipt which must be kept with the rest of their vehicle paperwork. 

Drivers can also make an early payment this month at their local insurance office. Other payment locations and times are: Camp Kinser's Surfside Club, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., May 1; Camp Courtney's theater, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., May 7 and 8; Torii Station's Soldier's Center, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., May 11;Camp Foster's theater, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., May 12 through 15; Camp Hansen's The Palms, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., May 27; and Camp Schwab's Beach Head Club, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., May 28. 

For more information, call the Joint Services Vehicle Registration office at 645-7481 or 645-3963.