First-Time Car Rental
Rental Policies Vary by Company
The conditions for renting a car with a driver’s license issued less than one year ago vary from one rental car company to another.
Before making a reservation, be sure to carefully check the rental company’s requirements and policies. In some cases, drivers who have held their license for less than six months may not be eligible to rent a vehicle. Other companies may allow drivers with less than one year of driving experience to rent a car if they are accompanied by a safe driver—someone who has held a valid driver’s license for at least three years.
Below, we introduce three rental car companies that accept beginner drivers.
- Times Car Rental
No age restriction
No minimum license period required
No restrictions - ORIX Rent-A-Car
No age restriction
No minimum license period required
No restrictions - Sky Rent a Car
No age restriction
No minimum license period required
No restrictions - Travel Rent-a-Car
No age restriction
No minimum license period required
No restrictions
Be Sure to Add CDW and NOC Coverage
When renting a car, be sure to check whether you are eligible to enroll in the available insurance and compensation coverage plans.
Most rental car companies in Japan offer two types of optional protection plans: Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and NOC (Non-Operation Charge) Coverage.
CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) reduces or eliminates the amount you would normally have to pay out of pocket in the event of an accident. By paying an additional fee—typically between ¥1,000 and ¥2,000 before your rental period—you can waive the deductible that would otherwise apply.
Even without CDW, the basic insurance included in the rental fee will still provide coverage. However, the driver’s financial responsibility can be significant, with deductibles often ranging from ¥50,000 to ¥100,000. For this reason, adding CDW is highly recommended as a way to reduce financial risk during your trip.
NOC (Non-Operation Charge) Coverage protects you from having to pay a business interruption fee if the rental vehicle becomes unavailable for service due to repairs or cleaning after an accident, damage, or other incident. Without this coverage, you may be required to pay a Non-Operation Charge (NOC) even if the vehicle is insured.
Typical NOC charges are as follows:
| Drivable (Return by self-propelled driving) | 20,000¥ |
| Non-drivable | 50,000¥ |
Keep in mind that NOC charges are generally not waived by either the basic insurance coverage or CDW alone. To avoid paying a Non-Operation Charge, you will need to enroll in a plan that specifically includes NOC Coverage.
When renting a car with a driver’s license issued less than one year ago, some rental companies may consider you a higher-risk driver due to your limited driving experience. As a result, eligibility for certain protection plans, including CDW and NOC Coverage, may be restricted.
However, if these coverage options are available to you, it is highly recommended that you add them to your rental.
Having proper coverage in place can give you greater peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy your Okinawa road trip and drive with confidence instead of worrying about potential accident-related costs.
Display a Beginner Driver Mark
When driving a rental car with a driver’s license that has been held for less than one year, you must display a beginner driver mark (shoshinsha mark) at all times.
This is a legal requirement under Article 71 of the Road Traffic Act in Japan. Driving without displaying a beginner driver mark can result in 1 penalty point and a fine of ¥4,000.
The placement of the beginner driver mark is also regulated. It must be positioned at a height between 0.4m and 1.2m from the ground. It can be placed on the front, rear, left, or right of the vehicle, but it is best to attach it in a clearly visible location so that it can be easily seen by surrounding drivers.
Some rental car companies may provide a beginner driver mark for you, but it is still best to prepare one in advance.
You can easily purchase a shoshinsha mark at 100-yen shops or online stores, so it’s a good idea to get one before your trip to ensure a smooth and stress-free rental experience.
Having an ETC card is convenient
If you plan to use expressways, it is recommended to prepare an ETC card in advance.
When you are not yet used to driving, simply being on the expressway can feel stressful, and paying at toll booths may cause unnecessary confusion. In some cases, drivers may also struggle with distance judgment, making it difficult to reach the payment machine from the window.
With an ETC card, toll fees are automatically charged to your credit card later, allowing you to drive more calmly and comfortably.
Once you have prepared an ETC card, make sure to choose a rental car that is equipped with an ETC onboard device.
Summary
When renting a car for the first time, it is important to make thorough preparations in advance.
With proper preparation, even beginner drivers can enjoy a safe and stress-free road trip with confidence.
On the day of your trip, make sure to take care of your health and always drive at a safe speed so you can fully enjoy your journey.
If you want to enjoy your Okinawa trip, GO!GO!TOUR Rental Car is highly recommended.
“Where should I rent a car for the first time?”
For beginner drivers, we recommend GO!GO!TOUR.
You can enjoy affordable rental car plans at great prices, and one-way drop-off is available for free. In addition, all rentals come with reliable insurance and coverage services for peace of mind.
If you’re not sure where to start, why not consider GO!GO!TOUR Rental Car?
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- 🚗 Okinawa Car Rental Booking
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