JapanDriving without valid vehicle inspection?
Driving a vehicle without a valid shaken (mandatory inspection) is illegal in Japan and can result in fines up to ¥500,000 or imprisonment up to 6 months.
What the Law Says
Japan requires all registered motor vehicles to undergo mandatory periodic inspections called 'shaken' to ensure roadworthiness and compliance with safety and emissions standards.
Under the Road Transport Vehicle Act, it is illegal to operate a vehicle on public roads without a valid inspection certificate. The shaken must be renewed every two years for most passenger vehicles — or annually for commercial or older vehicles — and must be completed before the current certificate expires.
If the shaken expires, drivers have a 30-day grace period to complete the inspection. Driving outside that window — even one day late — constitutes a violation.
Penalties include criminal liability: imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to ¥500,000 — or both. Additionally, the driver receives 100 penalty points, which automatically leads to license cancellation.
Statutory TextNo person shall operate a motor vehicle on a public road unless the vehicle has passed the compulsory inspection prescribed by Ordinance and bears a valid inspection certificate.
— Road Transport Vehicle Act, s. 67 — Prohibition of Operation Without Inspection Certificate
Statutory TextA person who violates the provisions of the preceding Article shall be punished by imprisonment with work for not more than six months or a fine of not more than five hundred thousand yen.
— Road Transport Vehicle Act, s. 119 — Penalty
What to Do
Check your current shaken expiration date (printed on the inspection certificate and vehicle registration plate sticker).
Schedule shaken at an authorized inspection center (JAA, government-designated facility, or certified dealer) no later than 30 days before expiry.
Ensure all required documents are ready: vehicle registration, compulsory insurance (jibaiseki), seal (inkan), and payment for fees (approx. ¥100,000–¥150,000).
Do not drive the vehicle after the 30-day grace period ends — use towing or arrange transport.
If already expired and driven, stop immediately and consult a traffic attorney or local transport office.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.