Is this reminder an official government notice?

Usually it is a reminder/marketing from a private business (dealer, garage, insurer). The real deadline is the expiry on the 車検証 in your car. You don't have to use the company that sent it — you can get 車検 anywhere qualified.

My 車検 has expired. Can I drive?

No. Driving with an expired 車検 is an offence and penalised. If your 自賠責 has also lapsed it is uninsured driving too, which is worse. To move the car you need a temporary-plate procedure — ask a garage.

Can I get 車検 done anywhere?

Yes — any certified/authorised garage, including dealers, 車検 specialists, and gas stands. Costs and time differ, so it's worth comparing.

Is 点検 different from 車検?

Yes. 車検 is the inspection required by law at set intervals. 点検 (periodic maintenance) is everyday servicing to prevent breakdowns, done on a different occasion. Check which the reminder means.

Traffic / Car

車検・点検 Notice: Japan Vehicle Inspection Reminder Explained

A 車検・点検 reminder tells you that your car's 車検 (mandatory vehicle inspection) or periodic maintenance is coming up. Most come from a dealer, garage, gas stand, or insurer you used before, partly as marketing. The important point: the real deadline is not this reminder but the expiry date on the 車検証 (inspection certificate) kept in your car. Driving on public roads after your 車検 has expired is illegal and penalised. First check the expiry date on your 車検証.

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Who receives it

Car owners, usually from a business they previously used for inspection or maintenance. It is not a government notice; it is almost always a private business's reminder/marketing. A standard private car generally needs 車検 first after 3 years (new cars), then every 2 years (this varies by vehicle). Nationality does not matter.

What to do

1Check the 車検証 in your car for the inspection expiry (満了日). The date on the 車検証 — not the reminder — is the real deadline. For an electronic 車検証, the expiry is not printed on the card; check the 車検証閲覧アプリ or the latest 自動車検査証記録事項.
2Before it expires, choose where to get 車検 done and book. You can use a dealer, garage, 車検 specialist, or gas stand — your choice.
3Do not drive on public roads with an expired 車検. Driving without valid 車検 is an offence, and if your 自賠責 insurance has also lapsed it is uninsured driving too, with heavy penalties.
4Costs and turnaround differ by place, so you may compare and choose. You are not obliged to use the business that sent the reminder.
5点検 (statutory/periodic maintenance) is separate everyday servicing, not the same as 車検. Check whether the reminder is about 車検 or 点検.

About the deadline

The real deadline is not this reminder but the 'expiry of the valid period' printed on your 車検証. After that date the 車検 has lapsed and you cannot drive on public roads. Get 車検 done with time to spare before expiry (since April 2025, you can take it from two months before expiry without losing the remaining validity). If it has already lapsed, ask a garage about how to move the car (e.g. a temporary plate). For an electronic 車検証, the expiry is not printed on the card; check the 車検証閲覧アプリ or the latest 自動車検査証記録事項.

Common misunderstandings

Is this reminder an official government notice?: Usually it is a reminder/marketing from a private business (dealer, garage, insurer). The real deadline is the expiry on the 車検証 in your car. You don't have to use the company that sent it — you can get 車検 anywhere qualified.
My 車検 has expired. Can I drive?: No. Driving with an expired 車検 is an offence and penalised. If your 自賠責 has also lapsed it is uninsured driving too, which is worse. To move the car you need a temporary-plate procedure — ask a garage.
Can I get 車検 done anywhere?: Yes — any certified/authorised garage, including dealers, 車検 specialists, and gas stands. Costs and time differ, so it's worth comparing.
Is 点検 different from 車検?: Yes. 車検 is the inspection required by law at set intervals. 点検 (periodic maintenance) is everyday servicing to prevent breakdowns, done on a different occasion. Check which the reminder means.

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