[Is there a trick?] Motorcycle custom license plates finally coming? MLIT begins consideration!

Motorcycles to Finally Consider Adopting a "Choose Your Own License Plate Number" System!

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For cars, the "choose your own license plate number" system began in some regions in May 1998, and became available nationwide in May of the following year. Now, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has announced a policy to finally allow motorcycles to also choose their license plate numbers.

MLIT launched a working group at the end of June 2023, and through repeated discussions with experts, aims to implement a "choose your own license plate number" system for motorcycles within a few years.

Consideration for Motorcycles Over 125cc

The introduction of a "choose your own license plate number" system for motorcycles is being considered for those over 125cc, up to large motorcycles. Its introduction for mopeds (50-125cc) is currently undecided.

Moped license plates are under the jurisdiction of municipal offices. This working group will focus on motorcycles over 125cc, which are under the jurisdiction of the Road Transport Bureau.

Benefits of Choosing Your Own License Plate Number

What benefits would the "choose your own license plate number" system bring for motorcycles?

The main advantages include:

• You can choose your favorite number.
• You can avoid undesirable numbers.
• It's easier to find your motorcycle.

Let's take a closer look at the benefits of choosing your own license plate number for motorcycles.

You can choose your favorite number.

The biggest advantage of the "choose your own license plate number" system for motorcycles is the ability to select your preferred number.

You can choose a number that suits your preferences, such as your birthday, an anniversary, or a number related to your company or store's phone number. This allows for differentiation from the typical randomly assigned numbers.

However, if your desired number is very popular, such as a consecutive digit number, it may be subject to a lottery. Please be aware that you might not be able to obtain your desired number depending on the lottery results.

You can avoid undesirable numbers.

Another benefit of choosing your own license plate number is that you can avoid numbers you consider undesirable, such as those associated with bad luck.

In Japan, numbers like 4 and 9 have historically been avoided due to their association with misfortune. In Christian cultures, 13 is widely known as an undesirable number. The "choose your own license plate number" system allows these numbers to be avoided.

If you don't choose your own number, it will be assigned randomly, which might result in a number you dislike. The ability to avoid undesirable numbers by choosing your own is a definite advantage.

It's easier to find your motorcycle.

Having a custom license plate also makes it easier to spot your motorcycle.

In situations like a touring destination where many popular models are parked together, motorcycles with custom license plates can be instantly identified by checking their numbers.

Making it easier to find your motorcycle by its license plate is one of the advantages of choosing your own number.

Disadvantages of Choosing Your Own License Plate Number

Having looked at the benefits of choosing your own license plate number for motorcycles, let's now consider the disadvantages.

The disadvantages of choosing your own license plate number are as follows:

• There is a fee for choosing your own number.
• Popular numbers are more likely to be duplicated by others.
• Popular numbers are subject to a lottery.

Let's explain these in order.

There is a fee for choosing your own number.

To obtain a custom license plate for a motorcycle, a fee for choosing your own number will be required.

For cars, in addition to the plate issuance fee, an extra fee of approximately 5,000 yen is required to obtain a custom license plate (as of June 2023). Motorcycles will likely also require a few thousand yen.

(The specific fee for obtaining a custom license plate is currently undecided as of June 2023.)

Popular numbers are more likely to be duplicated by others.

For example, consecutive numbers like "・7-77" or "77-77", or in the case of motorcycles, "・8-19 (bike)", are expected to be popular based on car trends. These popular numbers are likely to be duplicated among those who choose their own license plates.

Compared to cars, there are fewer motorcycles on the road, so the probability of encountering the same number is low. However, popular numbers are more likely to be encountered than random numbers.

The fact that popular numbers are more likely to be duplicated by others can be considered a disadvantage of choosing your own license plate number.

Popular numbers are subject to a lottery.

If a desired number, such as a repeating digit number, is very popular and has many applicants, it will be subject to a lottery, and you can only obtain it if you win.

If you lose the lottery, you will need to decide whether to choose another desired number and reapply, or apply for a random number.

If your desired number is highly popular, it is not guaranteed that you will be able to obtain it. The fact that you can only obtain it if you win a lottery is a disadvantage of applying for a custom license plate.

What Exactly is the "Choose Your Own License Plate Number" System?

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Discussions on the "choose your own license plate number" system for motorcycles are progressing within the working group led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) starting in June 2023.

While this system for cars began over 15 years ago, what exactly is the "choose your own license plate number" system?

A system where you can choose your desired number.

The "choose your own license plate number" system for motorcycles is a system that allows you to obtain a license plate with your preferred number.

You can choose your favorite number for your license plate, such as your birthday, a special number, or the uniform number of your favorite athlete.

This system also allows for connections using numbers, such as having the same number among friends or consecutive numbers for company-owned motorcycles.

There are two main types of desired license plates.

For cars, applications for desired license plates are divided into two types, depending on the desired number: lottery-eligible desired numbers and non-lottery-eligible desired numbers.

Lottery-eligible desired numbers are those that are highly popular, such as "11-11" or "77-77." To obtain a lottery-eligible desired number, you must win the weekly lottery.

Numbers not subject to a lottery can be obtained without a lottery. There are two main ways to apply for a desired license plate: directly through the Road Transport Bureau's website or counter, or by requesting a shop or administrative scrivener.

(The above is for cars, and motorcycles are expected to follow a similar process.)

Previously, it was not possible to get custom license plates for motorcycles.

Source: https://pixabay.com/ja/photos/B3-3781800/

While the custom license plate system for cars began in May 1998 in some regions, and became available nationwide in May 1999, it had never been introduced for motorcycles.

As of June 2023, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has finally issued guidelines for the realization of custom license plates for motorcycles, and movement towards its implementation has begun. We will be watching future developments closely.

Custom License Plate System for Mopeds Undecided

The working group for custom motorcycle license plates, which began in June 2023, is targeting medium-sized and larger motorcycles, excluding mopeds (Class 1 and 2).

Currently, there are no discussions about introducing custom license plates for Class 1 and 2 mopeds (50cc to 125cc). The focus is first on introducing the system for medium-sized and larger motorcycles.

The working group on custom motorcycle license plates is expected to deliberate and decide on whether to introduce the system and its implementation timeline.

FAQ Regarding Motorcycle Custom License Plates

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We've compiled "frequently asked questions" and "answers" regarding motorcycle license plates and custom plates, so please refer to this section as well.

How do I change my motorcycle license plate?

To change a motorcycle license plate, for Class 1 and 2 mopeds (50cc to 125cc), the procedure is done at the municipal office. For medium-sized and larger motorcycles (over 125cc), it's done at the Road Transport Bureau that has jurisdiction over your address.

If your license plate jurisdiction changes due to a move, you must complete the change procedure within 15 days of moving.

After gathering the necessary documents for a license plate change (which vary by engine displacement), apply at the counter, and a new license plate will be issued.

Documents and items required for a license plate change

The main documents and items required for a motorcycle license plate change are as follows:

• Vehicle Inspection Certificate (for over 250cc)
• Application Form (available at the Road Transport Bureau counter)
• Light Vehicle Tax Declaration Form (can be obtained from the Automobile Tax Office)
• Fee Payment Form (available at the Road Transport Bureau counter)
• License Plate

The inspection sticker (shaken sticker) attached to the license plate of motorcycles requiring vehicle inspections will be reused. Peel it off and store it, then affix it to the new license plate. (Reissuance is also possible for a fee, around 650 yen.)

How much do local moped license plates cost?

Local license plates, which feature illustrations and colorful designs reflecting the characteristics and specialties of each region, are often issued free of charge. (Please check with the municipal office that has jurisdiction over the license plate.)

Local license plates are sometimes called "design license plates" or "local plates," and some municipalities offer several color variations.

For example, Ichihara City in Chiba Prefecture offers local license plates in "white," "yellow," and "pink," and the issuance fee is free.

Reference: Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture Homepage
https://www.city.ichihara.chiba.jp/

How are motorcycle license plate numbers even decided in the first place?

A license plate, officially called a "vehicle registration plate," serves to identify the owner (user) and indicate the home base (residence) of the motorcycle user, which is under the jurisdiction of the municipality (for mopeds) or the Road Transport Bureau (for motorcycles over 125cc).

The hiragana characters indicate the motorcycle's use. For rental motorcycles, "wa" or "re" are used. Other hiragana characters are assigned in order from "a" to "ya," excluding "o" (which can be mistaken for "a"), "shi" (associated with death), "he" (associated with flatulence), and "n" (difficult to pronounce).

The 1- to 4-digit numbers are also assigned in order. If the custom license plate system is introduced for motorcycles in the future, the numbers will be the part you can choose to your liking.

Are there any tricks to getting a custom license plate for a motorcycle?

There are no secret tricks to obtaining a custom license plate for a motorcycle, but by timing your application correctly, you may increase your chances of getting your desired number.

Numbers are assigned sequentially, increasing by one for each application (e.g., 15-00 → 15-01 → 15-03...). If you apply at the right moment for your desired number, you might be able to get it.

For example, if your desired number is 11-11, applying when the numbers have reached 11-10 might allow you to obtain 11-11. However, you first need to know how far the number issuance has progressed.

Summary

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We've discussed the "choose your own license plate number" system, which is being considered for motorcycles, with working groups holding repeated discussions for its realization.

Currently, the custom license plate system for motorcycles is planned for those over 125cc, and its introduction for Class 1 and 2 mopeds is undecided. However, if the system is implemented, you will be able to ride your motorcycle with your preferred license plate number.

If the system is introduced by adapting the car custom license plate system, numbers like 77-77 will be subject to a lottery, and you cannot obtain them unless you win. Therefore, it's important to note that lottery-eligible numbers may not always be obtainable as desired.