Driver Education

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 is 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 Instructors 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 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.

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 in accordance with 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. Whomever shall complete the entire registration process first, gets the confirmed seat in the course.

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.

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.

Download the Course Schedule

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.

*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.

What paperwork will I need to register?

Please proceed to the two highlighted yellow links.

Where do I pay for the course and turn in my paperwork?

The payments (cash/credit/debit)  will be made at the Auto Skills Center, located at building 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.)

How long is the First Time Driver’s 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. Who is eligible to sign up for the 45-hour First Time Driver’s course? All U.S. SOFA sponsored members, military personnel, DOD civilians, dependents and contractors. Students are required to be 16 years of age or older on or before the start of the first day of  Behind The Wheel training.

Who is eligible to sign up for the refresher class?

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.

If I have a stateside permit but not a license, what class do I take?

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

What happens if I don’t pass my written test?

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.

What happens if I don’t pass my driving 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.

How do I schedule Behind the Wheel (BTW) instruction?

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.

After completing Driver’s education class, does my teenager (16-17 years of age) get their full privilege of driving on and off installation?

No, after completing the driver’s education class, individuals aged 16 & 17 years of age are only authorized to operate a privately owned vehicle (POV) on base. Individuals 18 years of age 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.

Will my certificate of completion for the First Time Driver’s Course be honored in the United States?

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 covers the Driver Education required for teens applying for a stateside driver’s license).

My teenager (16-17 years of age) successfully completed a driver’s education course in the U.S., but never got his/her driver’s license. Can they get their SOFA (USFJ Form 4 EJ) driver’s license?

It depends. A certified formal driver training course is defined as any course accredited through the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA) or any other agency document displaying proof of 45 hours of aggregate (classroom and hands-on) instruction with not less than 6 hours of professionally supervised, hands-on road driving before being issued their operator’s permit. Also, you must have a log sheet showing that the permit holder has completed 40 hours of daytime driving hours, and 10-night hours signed off by a licensed driver aged 21 years or older.

My state side license has expired, and I can’t get my SOFA (USFJ form 4EJ) Driver license renewed. What are my options?

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.