Driving tips in Japan: Traffic ticket

photo by sinkdd

You left your car unattended just for a few minutes to do something, then next thing you see is a suspicious yellow piece of paper… or, a sneaky police car appears out of nowhere to tell you pull over while you are enjoying a quick drive. You feel gutted, but it is too late. A slip of traffic ticket has been handed down. By the way, did you know, there are a few different types of traffic ticket? This time, we will learn about different types of traffic tickets in Japan and what will happen after getting those tickets.

Types of traffic ticket

For driving offences, demerit points are given to people who committed offences as well as traffic tickets according to the number of demerit points awarded. Traffic tickets are split into the following three categories associated with different punishments depending on each categories. As a general rule, drivers are considered responsible in traffic offences committed.

White ticket

Generally called a “white ticket” from its color, traffic ticket of this category are issued for minor traffic offences such as seat belt and child restraint offences. No fines are charged for offences in this category, and only demerit points are given to offenders. Unless drivers have a certain number of accumulated points in the past, there will be no further administrative penalties by getting a single white ticket.

Blue ticket

Same as a white ticket, it is called a “blue ticket” from its color. Blue tickets are issued for moderate traffic offences under 6points such as ignoring a traffic light, speeding by up to 30kph, illegal parking and headlight usage offences. Demerit points are awarded to offenders along with blue tickets and their driver licenses will be suspended or revoked depending on the accumulated points they have had for the previous offences. Properly, drivers bear criminal responsibilities for offences in this category, however, they can be exempt from such liabilities if they choose to pay a fine by the appointed date. Fines can be paid at bank or post office by using a payment slip attached to a blue ticket.

Paying a fine is optional. If a driver choose not to pay a fine, the procedures for criminal prosecutions will commence. The court will summon the driver and a penalty will be handed down after a summary trial. If the driver didn’t attend the summary trial, or intend to take exception to the subject of matter at the trial, the case will be deliberate at a formal trial. Same as the other criminal cases, the driver may be summoned by the police or a prosecutor for investigation before a formal trial.

Red ticket

Red tickets are issued for serious offences of 6points or over such as speeding over 30kph, neglecting the injured and drink driving. No matter if drivers had no accumulated points in the past, their driver licenses will be immediately suspended for just one red ticket. Unlike blue tickets, drivers must bear criminal responsibilities for offences falls into this category and there is no exemption. No matter if drivers admit their offences or dispute, they must appear in court for a trial. After a trial, a fine, prison term or other punishments will be handed down to offenders if they are convicted guilty.

How to pay a fine of blue tickets

Violations of Road Traffic Act are typically caught red-handed because it is difficult to verify this type of offences afterwards, unless they have clear evidences such as photographs taken with speed camera or illegal parking records. A police officer write a blue ticket for a traffic offences and hand it to an offender with a payment slip after he/she signs on it. A fine must be paid at bank or post office by the appointed date, 7days from the date of issue. A fine can be paid:

only at bank or post office. No payment by mail
by cash only. No installment accepted

Illegal parking and offence taken by speed camera

Traffic offences are normally caught red-handed, but drivers need to bring themselves to the police in case of illegal parking or speeding offence caught by speed camera. Bring a yellow notice card left on the wind shield, or an appearance order for speeding mailed to you to the police. After that, either of blue or red ticket and demerit points will be given to you according to the offence committed.

What if you are driving with international driving permit?

Demerit points are given to foreign drivers who are on International Driving Permits if they commit traffic offences, equally as drivers who are on Japanese licenses. Demerit points given under Japanese laws don’t affect their driver licenses in the origin countries, while they may be prohibited from driving in Japan if a number of points exceed a certain number. Also, there may be some negative effects when people apply for Japanese license if they have had their International Driving Permit suspended for a long period of time.

Traffic offence in a rental car

If you got a blue ticket in a rental car, you are required to pay a fine before returning the car and submit an evidence of payment to a rental car company. If you are not able to pay a fine before you return the car for any reason, you are required to pay the amount appointed by the rental car company. Normally, such fees are more than actual amount of fine. You can get refunded the difference of fees and the fine you actually paid once you submit a receipt of payment for the fine.

A ticket to what?

Did you know that speeding is the most common traffic offend in Japan? Well, you will see it once you drive around Japan. Parking offence is a commonly committed, but neglecting a stop sign comes second. All these offences are subject to blue ticket. You would never want your day out ruined by getting a traffic ticket, right? Well, it is all up to you after all, so drive safely!