Beauty Salon Hours
Due to staffing issues, the Beauty Salon will close at 6 PM.The Beauty Salon will not take walk-ins (appointments only please) for the following dates: MAR 1, 2, 16-22, and 29.
Power Outage MAR 22 - Barking Lot
The scheduled power outage on March 22 will affect the Barking Lot.
- Bathing services are not available on Saturday, March 22
- Drop-off, Pick-up, and Visitation are available as usual
Power Outage MAR 22
A scheduled power outage will affect the following facilities on Saturday, March 22
- MCX Main Store: Closure
- IronWorks South: Closure
- Barking Lot: Limited services
Driver Education
On this page:
On this page:
Get around Iwakuni and Japan with the freedom of driving! Get started by downloading and filling out the following forms. Classes are limited to the first 10 patrons to complete the registration process.
Registration is open!
Download and fill out the appropriate forms below.
Registration Forms for Active Duty
Registration Forms for Civilians
To save time, send the registration forms via email to OMBIwakuni.DriversEducationCourse@usmc-mccs.org.
Our American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA)/AAA-certified courses are 45 hours long. Includes 39 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of Behind the Wheel instruction. The 3-Hour Refresher course is also available for SOFA-status persons who have an expired stateside license and need to renew their current SOFA license. All courses and course materials are given in English.
Hours of operation:
MON - FRI | 10 AM - 6 PM |
SAT, SUN, & HOL | Closed |
Courses Offered
45-Hour First-Time Driver's Course for $545
The 45-hour first-time Drivers course structure alternates monthly between a (6) day, 7-hour classroom time from 10 AM - 6 PM, and a (10) day 4-hour classroom time from 3-7 PM until 39 hours have been reached. With this schedule, we try to consider the different schedules potential students may have. To complete this portion of training, you must pass the written exam with a 90% or higher.
The second portion of training is (6) hours of Behind the Wheel training. Depending on current availability for the Behind the Wheel (BTW) driver training portion, the total length of this course may be anywhere from (3) to (8) weeks and in some instances longer depending on the student’s skill level and availability. All BTW driving practice is scheduled in person at the Driving Instructor's office.
This 45-hour First Time Driver’s Course does not qualify you for a state-side driver's license. The course we offer only qualifies you for an MCAS Iwakuni SOFA Driving license. While many states in the U.S. may not require a driver’s education class over a certain age, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni requires all SOFA status personnel who are not currently in possession of a valid and current Driver's license, to take an accredited driver’s education course and pass a driving exam to qualify for a SOFA license. If you receive your license here in Iwakuni, your home state's law determines the legality and ease of transferring your new license to the States.
The next available 45-hour First Time Driver’s course classroom instruction dates and times are located below under Course Schedule.
The classroom portion is scheduled from either 10 AM - 6 PM or 3-7 PM on weekdays until 39 hours have been met. Behind-the-wheel training will begin sometime in the weeks following classroom instruction, MON-FRI, 10 AM - 5 PM by current availability. Be advised, the BTW availability could be as far out as 2 months after classroom hours have been completed.
If you would like to register for the next course, please email the MCCS Driving instructor with the full name of the individual or individuals who would like to attend. You will then receive a confirmation email reserving your tentative seat in the next open course of your choosing. When the course payment is made, and the instructor receives a copy of the receipt, you will then have a confirmed seat in the next course. Registration for the course is not on a first come first serve basis. Paying 1st will not confirm your seat in the next course. Whoever shall complete the entire registration process first, gets the confirmed seat in the course.
Once you have received the confirmation email, and before the course start date, provide the documents listed in the steps below.
Once you have received the confirmation email, and prior to the course start date, provide the documents listed in the steps below.
3-Hour Refresher Course for $150
If you still have a valid SOFA license, or GME license, you can take the 3-hour Refresher course. Our 3-hour Refresher course is 3 hours in length structured with 2 hours in classroom and 1 hour allotted for the Driving Exam.
The 3-hour Refresher course is offered as needed in accordance with current availability for SOFA license renewal. The course is also available for Individuals with valid Stateside learners permits that want to receive a SOFA license.
The in-classroom 2 hours cover Basic drivers’ information with a written test afterwards. To complete this portion of training, you must pass the written exam with an 80% or higher. The second portion of training is (1) hour allotted for a driving exam.
This 3-hour Refresher Course does not qualify you for a state side driver's license. The course we offer only qualifies you for a MCAS Iwakuni SOFA Driving license. While many states in the U.S. may not require a driver’s education class over a certain age, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni requires all SOFA status personnel who are not currently in possession of a valid and current Driver license, take an accredited driver’s education course and pass a driving exam to qualify for a SOFA license. If you receive your license here in Iwakuni, your home state's law determines the legality and ease of transferring your new license to the States.
If you would like to register for the next class, please email the MCCS Driving Instructor with the full name of the individual or individuals who would like to attend.
Prior to the course start date, provide the documents listed in the steps below.
2-Hour Refresher Course for $50
Our 2-hour Refresher course is 2 hours in length structured with 2 hours of Behind the Wheel driving.
The 2-hour Refresher course is offered as needed in accordance with current availability for refreshing your driving skills.
If you would like to register for the next class, please email the MCCS Driving Instructor with the full name of the individual or individuals who would like to attend.
Prior to the course start date, provide the documents listed in the steps below.
Please Note:
Student must be aged 16 years old OR will turn 16 years old on the first day of classroom instruction.
- Course schedules and times are subject to change due to holidays and typhoon conditions. Classes will be canceled when TCCOR-1 is announced.
- Students are required to have a learner’s permit prior to scheduling Behind the Wheel instruction.
- Behind the Wheel instruction is scheduled and contingent on student and instructor availability.
Times for Each Course
*We only conduct classes Monday-Friday, unless there is a Federal Holiday for all courses.
Refresher courses (please contact us for the day and time of course)
All course schedules and times are subject to change due to holidays and Typhoon conditions. Classes will be canceled when TCCOR-1 is announced.
FAQ
Please download the appropriate forms:
The payments (cash/credit/debit) will be made at the Auto Skills Center, located at Bldg. 1350, the Northside Marine Mart complex. Currently, we do not have any options for online or over the phone payments. Their hours of operation are Friday through Tuesday, 9 AM - 7 PM (Closed Wednesdays & Thursdays).
Please do not attempt to pay for the course prior to having your documents reviewed by the MCCS Driving Instructor. Registration for the course is not on a first come first serve basis. Whomever shall complete the registration process first gets the confirmed seat in the course.
It is a 45-hours long course. All students must successfully complete 39 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind the wheel (BTW) instruction. After receiving your Learners Permit, BTW instruction is scheduled after completion of the 39 hours of classroom instruction at the MCCS Driving Instructors office.
- All U.S. SOFA members, military personnel, DOD civilians, dependents and contractors who have exceeded their two (2) chances to successfully pass the written/road test in the 45-hour, first time driver’s course.
- Individuals that have a valid non-expired SOFA license with a Stateside license that will expire, but the stateside license can’t be renewed by mail or online.
- All SOFA licensed individuals who want to brush up on driving skills.
For individuals that have a valid state-side Learner’s Permit, but did not receive their Driver’s License, it depends on what you received from the state you got your permit from. You have to have a certificate showing they have attended a 45-hour driving course from a course accredited through the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA) or any other agency, and a log sheet signed by a licensed driver/drivers over the age of 21, showing that you have driven 40 hours during the day and 10 at night. We recommend calling or go to the Pass & Registration office as they are the ones who issue the SOFA License. Their DSN is 253-3161.
Students enrolled in the First Time Driver’s Course must score 90% or higher in order to schedule their behind the wheel (BTW) portion of the course. Students have two (2) chances to pass the written exam. If after two attempts they do not successfully pass the exam, they will need to sign up for the refresher class. This course consists of classroom instruction and a written test.
Students have two (2) chances to pass the driving exam. If after two attempts they do not successfully pass the exam, they will need to sign up for the refresher class.
Behind the wheel (BTW) is scheduled at the discretion of the student/instructor. BTW will be scheduled after successful completion of the classroom instruction. For dependents under 18, a parent must provide authorization to take the BTW Driving evaluation and the applicant must have a driving permit.
SOFA-licensed persons will schedule sessions during registration with instructor.
No, after completing the driver’s education class, individuals aged 16 & 17 years are only authorized to operate a privately owned vehicle (POV) on base. Individuals aged 18 years and older may be restricted to driving on base for 30 days, after which full driving privileges will be authorized to operate a POV on and off installation.
It varies from state to state. Contact your local stateside Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for verification. Our program is certified program through the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA) and some states will recognize the certificate of completion. (Please note: The First Time Driver’s Education course is ONLY intended for those individuals needing/wanting to drive while stationed in Japan as well as covering the Driver Education required for teens applying for a stateside driver’s license).
If your state side license has expired, contact your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for current procedures addressing renewal of licenses for military affiliated personnel. Many states allow licenses issued to military personnel, their family members, and DOD civilian employees, to remain valid, irrespective of expiration date, while they continue to serve in an overseas assignment (or until their return to the state). Others allow renewal by mail. If renewal is honored by DMV, documentation is required from the state allowing the license to remain valid until returned from overseas. If the state DMV does not allow the license to remain valid, irrespective of the expiration date, you will need to register for the 45-hour, first time driver’s education class. You can also sign up and take the MCCS Driving School 3-hour Refresher course before your current SOFA license expires; the certificate of completion will allow you to renew your SOFA license.
Classroom Location
The course will be held at The Crossroads complex, Bldg. 410. Go in through the main entrance lobby, between SoftBank and Information Tours & Tickets, the classroom is last door on the left after the Teen Center.
Entering the complex from the rear lobby entrance, classroom will be the first door on the right after entering the building.
When entering from the Crossroads food court, the classroom will be directly to the front, on your immediate left will be Community Bank.