Shoshinsha mark – Wakaba Leaf

Description

Shoshinsha mark – Wakaba Leaf

The Shoshinsha mark (初心者マーク) or Wakaba mark (若葉マーク), 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 license. This obligation is only for a standard license, not for motorcycles, large vehicles, special cars, etc. Drivers who consider themselves beginners may continue to display the sign, even after the period of a year.

Its official name is the Beginner Drivers’ Sign (初心運転者標識 Shoshin Untensha Hyōshiki).

The mark is also increasingly being used by JDM enthusiasts in other countries, such as Australia, Malaysia, Malta, New Zealand, the UK, and the U.S.A. to show their passion and interest in JDM culture. Some have taken the Shoshinsha shape and replaced the original green and yellow colors with their own flag to distance themselves from the “beginner” label, while still showing their enthusiasm for JDM car culture.