Koreisha mark
Encyclopedia
The Kōreisha mark is a statutory sign that is set up in the Road Traffic Law of Japan to indicate "aged person at the wheel". Its official name is "aged driver sign" (高齢運転者標識, kōrei untensha hyōshiki).
The law decrees that when a person who is aged 70 and over drives a car and if his/her old age could affect the driving, he/she should endeavor to display this mark on both the front and rear of the car. Drivers aged 75 and over are obliged to display the mark.
Conversely, the green and yellow shoshinsha mark
or wakaba mark denotes new drivers. Both marks are designed to warn other drivers that the marked driver is not very skilled, either due to inexperience or old age.
The system was instituted in 1997; until January 2011, its shape was an orange and yellow teardrop-shaped, and it was accordingly also called "momiji
mark" (紅葉マーク, autumn leaf mark). Some people call it "kareha mark" (枯れ葉マーク, dried leaf mark) or "Ochiba mark" (落葉マーク, fallen leaf mark), but this is a more informal title, and considered less polite.
From 1 February 2011, the shape changed to the new, 4-leafed form.
s have adopted this symbol, regardless of the driver's age. Japanese car enthusiasts overseas also use the Koreisha mark to indicate that they are an experienced driver as opposed to the Wakaba mark which indicates that they are new or a learner type driver.
The law decrees that when a person who is aged 70 and over drives a car and if his/her old age could affect the driving, he/she should endeavor to display this mark on both the front and rear of the car. Drivers aged 75 and over are obliged to display the mark.
Conversely, the green and yellow shoshinsha mark
Shoshinsha mark
The or , introduced in 1972, is a green and yellow V-shaped symbol that new Japanese drivers must display on their cars for one year. A driver must display this mark on the front and back of the car for one year after they obtain a standard driver's licence. This obligation is only for a standard...
or wakaba mark denotes new drivers. Both marks are designed to warn other drivers that the marked driver is not very skilled, either due to inexperience or old age.
Old form
Momiji (disambiguation)
Momiji is the Japanese name for Acer palmatum, the Japanese maple tree.Momiji may also refer to:* Momiji Sohma, a character from the manga Fruits Basket* Momiji Inubashiri, a character from Touhou Project...
mark" (紅葉マーク, autumn leaf mark). Some people call it "kareha mark" (枯れ葉マーク, dried leaf mark) or "Ochiba mark" (落葉マーク, fallen leaf mark), but this is a more informal title, and considered less polite.
From 1 February 2011, the shape changed to the new, 4-leafed form.
Other uses
Outside Japan, owners of Japanese classic carClassic car
A classic car is an older car; the exact meaning is variable. The Classic Car Club of America maintains that a car must be between 20 and 40 years old to be a classic, while cars over 45 years fall into the Antique Class.- Classic Car Club of America :...
s have adopted this symbol, regardless of the driver's age. Japanese car enthusiasts overseas also use the Koreisha mark to indicate that they are an experienced driver as opposed to the Wakaba mark which indicates that they are new or a learner type driver.