Shaken(車検) – Compulsory Vehicle Inspection

A vehicle inspection (shaken) is compulsory for all vehicles in every 2 years, it ensures that all vehicles on the road are properly maintained and safe to drive. The test also checks that vehicles have not been illegally modified.

The test must be carried out at an authorized service garage or at the Transport Bureau. Inspection and maintenance services can also be found at most car dealers. Before proceeding the inspection, the service garages and dealers normally provide you a cost estimate but the price may also vary depending on the types of your vehicles such as yellow plate or white plate.

Please check the expiry date of your vehicle on your Shaken document referring the below image.

Basic Necessary Documents

1. Jidousha kensa shoumeisho: Known as the Shaken shou, this document should be kept in the vehicle and contains information about the vehicle and its registered owner, as well as the date when the current shaken expires.
2. Jidoushazei nouzei shoumeisho: Vehicle tax receipt.
3. Jibaiseki hoken shoumeisho: Certificate of Compulsory Insurance, which should include the current and new certificate. The new certificate is for the following two years and can be bought at the inspection centre or through insurance companies.
4. Inkan stamp: Inkan stamp which you used for purchasing the car.

Break down of Shaken costs

• 車検基本料金Basic charges for the Shaken inspection
• 法定24か月点検料Legal 24^th-month inspection fee
• 保安基準適合検査料Safety standards conformity inspection fee
• 検査機器使用量等Usage fee for inspecting equipment etc.
• 検査代行手数料Processing fee
• 法定諸費用Legal expenses
• 自動車重量税Automobile weight tax
• 自賠責保険料Automobile liability insurance fee
• 印紙代Revenue stamp fee
• 整備料金Maintenance fee

Shaken test covering following areas:

• Exterior – the vehicle must meet Japanese exterior regulations and not have illegal exterior modifications, such as extreme body kits that increase the exterior dimensions
• Wheel Alignment – the vehicle’s wheels must be in-line and able to turn correctly
• Speedometer Inspection – the vehicle’s speedometer must be accurate
• Headlamp Inspection – the vehicle’s headlights must be correctly placed and aligned
• Brake Inspection – the vehicle’s brakes must work correctly
• Exhaust Gas/Muffler Inspection- tests carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions along with exhaust noise level
• Undercarriage Inspection – inspects suspension parts and checks for rust

Should a car not meet any of the test standards, repairs must be made before passing the Shaken inspection.

Source courtesy: OIST

Refer below for more details:

The Cheapo’s Guide to User Shaken | Tokyo Cheapo

Shaken is an abbreviation of the Japanese term ‘ji-dou-sha-ken-sa-tou-roku-sei-do’, which refers to the legal inspection

tokyocheapo.com

FAQ:

What does shaken mean in Japan?

Shaken (車検), a contraction of Jidōsha Kensa Tōrokuseido (自動車検査登録制度, “automobile inspection registration system”), is the name of the vehicle inspection program in Japan for motor vehicles over 250 cc in engine displacement.

How long can you drive a car in Japan?

Cars drive on the left side of the road and have the driver’s seat and steering wheel on their right side. The legal minimum age for driving is 18 years. Drinking and driving is strictly prohibited. Road signs and rules follow international standards, and most signs on major roads are in Japanese and English.

Is it easy to drive in Japan?

The legal minimum age to drive in Japan is 18 years old and you will need to hold Japanese driver’s license or International Driving Permit (IDP). IDP can be only apply in your home country and it’s valid for one year.

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