You may often hear about car accidents involving young, inexperienced drivers or elderly drivers in the news. While age alone is not the sole factor behind these accidents, age-related concerns often raise questions about driving safety.
In this article, we’ll discuss age restrictions for renting a car in Japan, including the rules for young and elderly drivers.
Are there age limits for renting a car?
What are the restrictions for beginner or senior drivers when renting a car? Let’s answer these questions and ensure you’re fully informed before renting a car.
Is there an age limit for renting a car?
Basically, there is no age restriction for renting a car.
As long as you have a valid driver’s license, you can rent a car regardless of your age. A regular driver’s license can be obtained at the age of 18 or older, and there is no upper age limit.
Therefore, you can generally use rental cars without age restrictions.
However, there may be restrictions for drivers under the age of 21 or those who have had their license for less than one year.
Let’s explain this in detail.
Can beginners rent a car?
In general, drivers who have had their license for less than one year are called “newly licensed” or “beginner drivers.” Beginner drivers can rent a car, but rental car companies may impose certain restrictions or conditions.
For example, these restrictions might include:
- A safety driver who has had a license for more than three years must accompany the beginner driver.
- It is necessary to add options such as an indemnity compensation system or NOC (Non-Operation Charge) compensation system.
- Indemnity compensation and NOC compensation options cannot be added.
- The types of cars that can be rented are limited.
Beginner drivers are often seen as having a higher risk of causing accidents due to their inexperience. Therefore, safety measures such as having a safety driver accompany them or requiring enrollment in comprehensive insurance for accidents may be necessary.
Conversely, because of the high risk of accidents, there may be cases where comprehensive insurance options cannot be added, or luxury car models cannot be rented.
For those who are inexperienced, unsure of their driving skills, or under 21 years old, rental car companies may provide safety checklists and safe driving advice when renting a car.
These conditions vary by rental car company. If you are a beginner renting a car, always make sure to confirm the details.
If You Are Worried, Attach a Beginner’s Mark to Your Car
Driving for the first time in Japan can be intimidating. In such cases, attach a beginner’s mark to your car.
When you have a beginner’s mark, other drivers will recognize you as a novice and are less likely to drive aggressively, such as cutting in or squeezing in close. Some considerate drivers might even give way to you when merging or turning right. On the other hand, without the beginner’s mark, there is no way for other drivers to know that you are a beginner.
As a result, beginner drivers may not receive the kind of consideration mentioned above from surrounding vehicles. This relatively increases the risk of encountering driving dangers or trouble. The beginner’s mark is an important indicator that protects novice drivers, so make sure to place it in a visible location as required by law.
For those driving in Japan for the first time, it is recommended to use a beginner’s mark. If you have a beginner’s mark, you can expect some level of consideration from surrounding drivers. Therefore, even if you usually drive but still lack confidence in your driving skills, intentionally displaying that you are a beginner can reduce the risk of getting involved in dangerous situations.
Let’s review the placement and precautions of the beginner’s mark.
Placement of the Beginner’s Mark
- Display one mark on the front and one on the rear.
- Display it in a visible position between 0.4 and 1.2 meters above the ground (it can be placed on either side as long as it is visible).
- Attaching it to the front windshield is not allowed.
There are suction cup types, magnet types, and reusable adhesive types of beginner’s marks. For cars with aluminum bodies, magnet types may not attach properly, so choose the appropriate beginner’s mark for the car you will be driving.
If you are unsure, feel free to consult us.
You can purchase these marks at supermarkets, home improvement stores, and 100-yen shops.
Can Elderly People Also Rent Cars?
Recently, accidents involving elderly drivers have been frequently reported in the news. However, as mentioned earlier, there is no upper age limit for holding a driver’s license.
When it comes to renting a car, elderly drivers are allowed as long as it can be confirmed that they can drive safely, with no issues related to their driving skills or cognitive functions.
During the license renewal process, drivers undergo checks to ensure their cognitive abilities and judgment functions are intact. Additionally, special courses are offered for elderly drivers to encourage safe driving. By June 2022, a driving skills test will also be introduced for elderly drivers with certain violation or accident histories during their license renewal.
So, even if you are elderly, as long as you complete the required courses and pass the necessary tests during license renewal, you are deemed capable of driving safely and can rent a car without any issues!
However, it’s important to acknowledge that cognitive and judgment abilities naturally decline with age. It is crucial not to overestimate your driving capabilities. If you have any doubts or concerns, it might be safer for a family member to drive instead.
Furthermore, drivers aged 70 and above are encouraged to display a “senior driver mark” on their vehicle to alert other drivers of their age. Most rental car companies do not provide senior driver marks, so be sure to bring one if needed.
No Age Limit for Rental Cars! Aim for Safe Driving Regardless of Age
There is no upper age limit for obtaining a driver’s license, which can be acquired from the age of 18. As long as you have a valid driver’s license, there is no age limit for renting a car. Whether you are a newly licensed driver under 20 or an elderly driver, you can use rental cars.
However, drivers who have had their license for less than a year may face certain restrictions due to the higher risk of accidents. These conditions vary by rental car company, so make sure to confirm the details before making a reservation.
For elderly drivers, while there are no age restrictions for renting a car solely based on age, it is required that they can drive safely. Bringing a senior driver mark and having a family member drive if you have any concerns can help prevent accidents.
Regardless of age, it is important to judge your driving ability and condition while striving for safe driving.
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