Article 1.　This Law has for its purpose to augment the public welfare by effecting official confirmation as to ownership, as well as by securing safety and bringing about the technical elevation of maintenance and repair with regard to vehicles for road transportation, and at the same time, by contributing to the sound development of maintenance and repair business of motor vehicles.

Article 2.　In this Law, "vehicles for road transportation" shall mean motor vehicles, motor bikes and light vehicles.

2　In this Law, "motor vehicles" shall mean implements manufactured with the purpose of being moved on land by means of prime mover which do not run on track or by means of trolley-wire, or implements manufactured with the purpose of being moved on land by being hauled therewith, excluding motor bikes provided for in the following paragraph.

3　In this Law, "motor bikes" shall mean those implements manufactured with the purpose being moved on land by means of prime mover with total displacement or rated output to be fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance which do not run on track or by means of trolley-wire, or implements manufactured with the purpose of being moved on land by being hauled therewith.

4　In this Law, "light vehicles" shall mean those implements manufactured with the purpose of being moved on land by means of human or animal power and which do not run on track or by means of trolley-wire, or those implements manufactured with the purpose of being moved on land by being hauled therewith, and which shall be fixed by Cabinet Order.

5　In this Law, "operation" shall mean to use the vehicles for road transportation in compliance with the proper use of the devices thereof (excluding the use only in places other than on roads), regardless of serving them for the transportation of persons or goods or otherwise.

6　In this Law, "road" shall mean a road under the Road Law (Law No.58 of 1919) and the motor road under the Road Transportation Law (Law No.183 of 1951) and other places served for general traffic.

7　In this Law, "motor carrier" or "light vehicle carrier" shall mean a motor carrier or a light vehicle carrier under the Road Transportation Law, respectively.

Article 3.　The distinction of standard size motor vehicles, small-size motor vehicles, light motor vehicles and special motor vehicles as provided for by this Law shall be fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance on the bases of the size and structure of motor vehicles as well as the kind of prime mover and the total displacement or rated output thereof.

Article 4.　No motor vehicle shall be served for operation unless registration in the motor vehicle register book is obtained therefor.

Article 5.　Of motor vehicles which obtained registration, the acquisition and forfeiture of possessory right as regards motor vehicles other than light motor vehicles and two-wheel smallsize motor vehicles shall not be set up against a third person unless registration therefor is obtained.

Article 6.　The motor vehicle register book shall be provided by the chief of Land Transportation Bureau.

2　In the motor vehicle register book, one separate sheet shall be prepared per motor vehicle.

Article 7.　In cases where it is intended to obtain the registration (hereinafter referred to as "initial registration" ) of motor vehicles for which registration has not yet been obtained, the owner shall submit to the chief of Land Transportation Bureau having jurisdiction over the locality of the principal abode of use of motor vehicle, an application on which matters enumerated below are entered, accompanied by transfer certificate provided for in Article 33, copy for initial registration referred to in Article 22 paragraph 1, or documents proving the fact of import or other documents sufficiently proving the ownership of the motor vehicle concerned, according to the distinction to be fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance, and besides, shall present the motor vehicle inspection certificate which has been delivered in accordance with the provisions of Article 60 as well as the motor vehicle concerned:

2　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau may require the person submitting the application referred to in the preceding paragraph the submission of certificates regarding the embossing of chassis number or prime mover number and other necessary documents besides those provided for in the same paragraph.

3　In submitting the application referred to in paragraph 1, with motor vehicles for which designation has been obtained as provided for in Article 75 paragraph 1 as to their type, the termination certificate of completion inspection (only those with which six months have not elapsed since the issuance thereof) based upon the provisions of paragraph 3 of the same Article may be submitted instead of the presentation of the motor vehicle concerned.

Article 8.　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall, when he received the application referred to in the preceding Article, effect the initial registration except when coming under each of the following items:

Article 9.　The initial registration shall be effected by entering in the motor vehicle register book the matters enumerated in Article 7 paragraph 1 items (1) to (6) inclusive and the date of initial registration, and besides, by fixing the motor vehicle registration number and entering it in the motor vehicle register book.

Article 10.　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall notify the motor vehicle registration number to the applicant, when an initial registration has been made.

Article 11.　Any owner of motor vehicles shall, when the motor vehicle registration number in accordance with the provisions of the preceding Article has been notified, obtain delivery of the motor vehicle registration number plate on which the number concerned is entered from the chief of Land Transportation Bureau or delivery agent of motor vehicle registration number plate referred to in Article 26, and, upon fixing it to the motor vehicle concerned, have it sealed by the chief of Land Transportation Bureau.

2　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau may entrust the fixing of seals referred to in the preceding paragraph to those persons to be fixed by the Ministry of Transportation Ordinance with regard to the motor vehicles which have been designated as referred to in Article 75 paragraph 1 and for which initial registration has been obtained as to their type.

3　No person shall remove the motor vehicle registration number plate of which seal has been fixed by the chief of Land Transportation Bureau or persons entrusted under the provisions of the preceding paragraph;provided, however, that this shall not apply in cases of special necessity for maintenance and repair or in other unavoidable cases, where the permission of the chief of Land Transportation Bureau has been obtained.

4　Owners of motor vehicles shall, when the motor vehicle registration number plate or seal thereof got lost, damaged or has become undistinguishable, or when it ceased to meet the forms fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance based upon the provisions of Article 39 paragraph 2, have it removed by the chief of Land Transportation Bureau, and have the motor vehicle registration number plate fixed in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 mutatis mutandis, or have the seal fixed thereto by the chief of Land Transportation Bureau.

Article 12.　Owners of motor vehicles shall, when there was any alteration in the shape, number of motor vehicle inspection certificate, chassis number, prime mover number, name or title, or address of the owner or the locality of the principal abode of use entered in the motor vehicle register book, submit the application for alteration registration to be effected by the chief of Land Transportation Bureau within fifteen days from the day on which such an alteration took place;provided, however, that this shall not apply in cases where the application for transfer registration in accordance with the provisions of the following Article, shifting of registration under the provisions of Article 14 or the deletion registration in accordance with the provisions of Article 15, has to be submitted.

2　Of the alteration registrations referred to in the preceding paragraph, to those concerning the alteration of the chassis number or prime mover number, and to those concerning other alterations, the provisions of Article 8 items (2) to (4) inclusive, and the provisions of items (2) and (4) of the same Article, shall apply mutatis mutandis, respectively.

Article 13.　In cases where there was any alteration of owner as to the motor vehicle for which initial registration has been obtained (hereinafter referred to as "registered motor vehicle" ), the new owner shall apply for transfer registration to be effected by the chief of Land Transportation Bureau within fifteen days from the day on which such alteration took place.

2　As regards the transfer registration referred to in the preceding paragraph, the provisions of Article 8 items (1), (2) and (4) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

Article 14.　Any owner of a registered motor vehicle shall, when, as to the locality of the principal abode of use of the motor vehicle concerned, there was any alteration thereof from the area under the jurisdiction of the chief of Land Transportation Bureau (referred to as "chief of A Land Transportation Bureau" in this Article) with whom the register book for the motor vehicle concerned is provided, to the area under the jurisdiction of other chief of Land Transportation Bureau (referred to as "chief of B Land Transportation Bureau" in this Article), submit an application for shifting of registration to the chief of B Land Transportation Bureau within fifteen days from the day on which such alteration took place.

2　The chief of A Land Transportation Bureau shall, when he received the application referred to in the preceding paragraph, transmit the application concerned and the copy of the motor vehicle register book concerned to the chief of B Land Transportation Bureau without delay. In this case, the chief of A Land Transportation Bureau shall indicate in the motor vehicle register book concerned to that effect.

3　The chief of B Land Transportation Bureau shall, upon receipt of transmission referred to in the preceding paragraph, when the owner of a motor vehicle presented the motor vehicle inspection certificate to be delivered by the chief of B Land Transportation Bureau, fix the motor vehicle registration number for the motor vehicle concerned and effect shifting of registration in accordance with the provisions of Article 9 mutatis mutandis in the motor vehicle register book, and besides, shall notify the applicant of the motor vehicle registration number without delay.

4　In the cases of the reception of application referred to in paragraph 1 and the shifting of registration referred to in the preceding paragraph, the provisions of Article 8 items (2) and (4) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

5　The provisions of Article 11 paragraph 1 shall apply mutatis mutandis in the case where any owner of a motor vehicle received the notice of motor vehicle registration number in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3.

6　The chief of B Land Transportation Bureau shall, when the shifting of registration in paragraph 3 has been effected, notify the chief of A Land Transportation Bureau to that effect.

7　The chief of A Land Transportation Bureau shall close the motor vehicle register book concerned when the notification in the preceding paragraph has been received.

Article 15.　Any owner of a registered motor vehicle shall, in the cases mentioned below, apply for deletion registration within fifteen days from the day on which such reasons took place:

2　In the case of the preceding paragraph, when any owner of a registered motor vehicle fails to apply for deletion registration, the chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall notify to effect the same within the term of seven days or more to be fixed thereby.

3　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall, in the cases where the notification referred to in the preceding paragraph was made, when the owner of a registered motor vehicle does not apply for deletion registration wihout proper reason, effect deletion registration and notify the owner to that effect.

Article 16.　Any owner of a registered motor vehicle may, when he ceased to serve his motor vehicles for operation, apply for deletion registration.

Article 17.　Any owner of a registered motor vehicle shall present the motor vehicle concerned and the motor vehicle inspection certificate to the chief of Land Transportation Bureau in order to obtain the confirmation referred to in paragraph 3 within the period for which public notification is effected, or within the period to be notified by the chief of Land Transportation Bureau.

2　No group of vehicle owners who are required by the official announcement to have the confirmation made shall be required to submit again for confirmation within a period of one year thereafter;provided, however, that this shall not apply to the case of individuals suspected of false documents.

3　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall, in the case of the presentation referred to in paragraph 1 was given, where he confirmed that the result comes under each of the following items, indicate the date of confirmation and the fact of passing the confirmation in the motor vehicle register book, and besides, shall deliver the confirmation label to the owner:

4　The motor vehicle which shall be presented as referred to in paragraph 1 shall not be served for operation without indicating the confirmation label, after the lapse of the period referred to in the same paragraph.

Article 18.　When it is difficult for any person applying under Article 7 paragraph 1, or any owner of a motor vehicle which shall be presented as referred to in paragraph 1 of the preceding Article, to present the motor vehicle due to the location of the motor vehicle which is applied for or which has been presented being outside the area of jurisdiction of the chief of the Land Transportation Bureau concerned (referred to as "chief of A Land Transportation Bureau" in this Article), or for other especially unavoidable reasons, the presentation of the motor vehicle inspection certificate and the motor vehicle mentioned in Article 7 paragraph 1 or paragraph 1 of the preceding Article, when the permission of the chief of A Land Transportation Bureau has been obtained, may be substituted by the presentation to the chief of other Land Transportation Bureau (referred to as "chief of B Land Transportation Bureau" in this Article).

2　The chief of A Land Transportation Bureau shall notify the chief of B Land Transportation Bureau to that effect, when the permission in the preceding paragraph has been given.

3　The chief of B Land Transportation Bureau shall, as to the motor vehicle inspection certificate and the motor vehicle which have been presented, examine whether they come under the cases enumerated in Article 8 items (2) to (4) inclusive, with those applied for under Article 7 paragraph 1, and with those motor vehicles presented as referred to in paragraph 1 of the preceding Article, examine in accordance with paragraph 3 of the same Article mutatis mutandis, and report the result to the chief of A Land Transportation Bureau.

4　The chief of A Land Transportation Bureau may entrust the chief of B Land Transportation Bureau with the fixing of the seal to the motor vehicle registration number plate permitted as referred to in paragraph 1.

Article 19.　No motor vehicle shall be served for operation unless the motor vehicle registration number place fixed in accordance with the provisions of Article 11 paragraph 1 or 4 and the confirmation label indicated under the provisions of Article 17 paragraph 4 are in a way easily seen.

Article 20.　Any owner of a registered motor vehicle shall, when coming under any one of the following items, remove the motor vehicle registration number plate concerned and the seal thereof and shall destroy, scrap or sell to the chief of Land Transportation Bureau or delivery agent of motor vehicle registration number plate referred to in Article 26 in accordance with the procedure to be fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance:

2　Any owner of a registered motor vehicle shall, when he returned the motor vehicle inspection certificate in accordance with the provisions of Article 69 paragraph 1 or 2, remove the motor vehicle registration number plate concerned and the seal thereof, and shall deposit the motor vehicle registration number plate with the chief of Land Transportation Bureau without delay.

3　In cases where the motor vehicle inspection certificate has been returned in accordance with the provisions of Article 69 paragraph 4 to any person by whom the deposit of the preceding paragraph has been made, or in cases where the person came to possess valid motor vehicle inspection certificate, the chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall, without delay, return the motor vehicle registration number plate which has been deposited.

4　Any person, to whom the motor vehicle registration number plate referred to in the preceding paragraph has been returned, shall fix the motor vehicle registration number plate concerned to the motor vehicle concerned and have the seal fixed thereto by the chief of Land Transportation Bureau.

Article 21.　The motor vehicle register book shall be preserved for five years and twenty years from the day when it was closed, and from the day when the deletion registration was effected, respectively.

2　The application and the attached papers thereto in connection with the registration of motor vehicle register book shall be preserved for ten years.

3　The motor vehicle register book shall not be carried outside the office of Land Transportation Bureau or branch thereof except in case of evading calamity or for other unavoidable circumstances.

Article 22.　Only one copy of the motor vehicle register book for which deletion registration has been given, which is requested in order to submit in the case of application for initial registration for the motor vehicle concerned (hereinafter referred to as "copy for initial registration" ) shall be delivered to the person who has been given deletion registration, per motor vehicle concerned.

2　Any person may request the chief of Land Transportation Bureau the delivery of copy of motor vehicle register book or extract of copy of the motor vehicle register book except the copy for initial registration, or the perusal of motor vehicle register book for those parts only for which such person is interested.

Article 23.　Necessary matters concerning the restoration of motor vehicle register book in the cases of the total or partial loss of a motor vehicle register book shall be fixed by Cabinet Order.

Article 24.　The Minister of Transportation shall appoint motor vehicle registration officials from among the personnel of the Ministry of Transportation, who shall assist the chief of Land Transportation Bureau in the matters with regard to registration provided for in this Chapter.

2　Necessary matters concerning the appointment, service and study of motor vehicle registration officials shall be fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance, besides conforming to the National Public Service Law (Law No.120 of 1947) and the Rules issued by the National Personnel Authority.

Article 25.　Any person who intends to carry on the business of delivering the motor vehicle registration number plate to the owner of the registered motor vehicle shall obtain the designation of the Minister of Transportation for each business place.

Article 26.　Any person who has been given designation under the provisions of the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as "delivery agent of motor vehicle registration number plate" ) shall not commit the acts enumerated in each of the following items:

2　The Minister of Transportation may, when any delivery agent of motor vehicle registration number plates violated this Law or order based upon this Law or disposition based thereunder, order the suspension of the business for a fixed period to be fixed of three months or less, or cancel the designation thereof.

Article 27.　Any delivery agent of motor vehicle registration number plates shall obtain the authorization of the Minister of Transportation as to the fee to be collected in connection with the delivery of motor vehicle registration number plate.

2　The Minister of Transportation shall, in granting the authorization mentioned in the preceding paragraph, grant it in consideration of the actual expenses required for delivery of motor vehicle registration number plate.

3　The delivery agent of motor vehicle registration number plates shall post as to the fee referred to in paragraph 1, at a place easily seen by the public in the business place.

4　As to the price of motor vehicle registration number plate to be purchased in accordance with the provisions of Article 20 paragraph 1, the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 3 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

Article 28.　The delivery agent of motor vehicle registration number plates shall put up a sign of a form to be fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance in a way easily seen by the public in the business place.

2　No person other than the delivery agent of the motor vehicle registration number plates shall put up the sign referred to in the preceding paragraph or signs similar thereto.

Article 29.　No person other than those who make it their business to manufacture motor vehicles shall emboss the chassis number or prime mover number of motor vehicles.

2　When any person who makes it his business to manufacture motor vehicles intends to emboss chassis number or prime mover number of motor vehicles, he shall obtain the designation of the Minister of Transportation as to form, number, position and method thereof, and shall effect it within the scope thus designated.

Article 30.　Any person who makes the import of motor vehicles or parts thereof his business shall, when he imported motor vehicles or chassis or prime movers thereof, report to the Minister of Transportation each time within twenty days from the day of import, the form, number and position of the chassis number and the prime mover number thereof.

Article 31.　No person shall smear the embossing of chassis number or prime mover number of a motor vehicle, or otherwise act in such a way as to make the identification of the chassis number or prime mover number difficult;provided, however, that this shall not apply in cases where it is especially necessary for maintenance and repair, or for other unavoidable circumstances, where the permission from the chief of Land Transportation Bureau has been obtained, or where the order under the provisions of the following Article has been given.

Article 32.　When any motor vehicle comes under any one of the following items, the chief of Land Transportation Bureau may order the owner thereof to obtain the embossing of chassis number or prime mover number, or to smear the embossing thereof, or may himself smear the embossing of chassis number or prime mover number or emboss them:

Article 33.　Any person who transfers a motor vehicle shall deliver the transfer certificate on which the matters enumerated below are entered and the copy for initial registration (only in cases where the motor vehicle for which deletion registration has been made is to be transferred), to the transferee:

2　Two or more copies of the transfer certificate referred to in the preceding paragraph shall not be delivered per motor vehicle which has been delivered.

3　Any person who transfers a motor vehicle shall, when he is in possession of transfer certificate with regard to the motor vehicle concerned referred to in paragraph 1 which has already been delivered, deliver it to the transferee.

Article 34.　Any motor vehicle may, in case the permission of temporary operation thereof has been obtained, be served for operation only for the object and along the route referred to in paragraph 5 of the following Article, irrespective of the provisions of Article 4.

2　The permission of temporary operation referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be given by the chief of Land Transportation Bureau, mayor or headman of any special ward as well as the headmen of the towns or villages to be fixed by Cabinet Order (referred to as "administrative office." The same shall apply also in the following Article).

Article 35.　The permission of temporary operation mentioned in the preceding Article may be given only in cases where the trial operation of the motor vehicle concerned is to be effected, where forwarding operation is effected for purposes of presentation mentioned in Article 7 paragraph 1 and Article 59 paragraph 1, or in cases of especial necessity.

2　The permission of temporary operation shall be given with fixed period of validity.

3　The period of validity referred to in the preceding paragraph shall not exceed five days;provided, however, that this shall not apply in cases of forwarding operation requiring long period or for other especially unavoidable circumstances.

4　The administrative office shall, when the permission of temporary operation has been given, deliver the temporary operation permit, and besides, loan the number plate permitting temporary operation.

5　In the temporary operation permit referred to in the preceding paragraph, the object and route of temporary operation as well as the period of validity referred to in paragraph 2 shall be entered.

6　Any person who obtained the permission of temporary operation shall, when the period of validity referred to in paragraph 2 has matured, return the number plate permitting temporary operation to the administrative office concerned within five days from the day of maturity.

Article 36.　No motor vehicle of which temporary operation has been permitted shall be served for operation unless the number plate permitting temporary operation is indicated in a way easily seen, and except by a person who carries the temporary operation permit with himself.

2　The provisions of Article 19 shall not apply to any motor vehicle of which temporary operation has been permitted.

Article 37.　Any person, who is dissatisfied with the registration to be effected by the chief of Land Transportation Bureau in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, may lodge a protest to the chief of Land Transportation Bureau concerned.

Article 38.　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall effect corrections with regard to the registration for which protest has been lodged, when he deems that there is sufficient reason for lodging the protest as referred to in the preceding Article, and besides, notify to that effect to the person lodging the protest and the interested persons concerned whose names are entered in the motor vehicle register book.

2　In cases where the chief of Land Transportation Bureau deems that there exists no reason for lodging the protest referred to in the preceding Article, he shall in writing notify the person lodging the protest to that effect giving the reason therefor.

Article 39.　Matters concerning the entry of motor vehicle register book, correction of registration and other necessary matters for the enforcement of registration shall be fixed by Cabinet Order.

2　The detailed matters in connection with the motor vehicle registration number plate, the seal thereof, confirmation label, transfer certificate and the permission of temporary operation shall be fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance.

Article 40.　No motor vehicle shall be served for operation unless its structure meets the safety technical standards to be fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance as to matters enumerated in each of the following items:

Article 41.　No motor vehicle shall be served for operation unless it meets the safety technical standards fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance, as to matters concerning the systems enumerated in each of the following items:

Article 42.　No motor vehicle shall be served for operation unless it meets the safety technical standards fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance as to the riding capacity or maximum loading capacity.

Article 43.　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau may add, with the users of motor vehicles chiefly operated upon the road which is dangerous from safety point of view on account of road condition such as gradient, curve, muddiness, piled snow, freezing and other road conditions, etc., as to such motor vehicles, limitations as to each item of Article 40 in accordance with the provisions of the same Article, limitations on running system, brake system, lighting device or alarm device in accordance with the provisions of Article 41 or limitations as to the riding capacity or maximum loading capacity in accordance with the provisions of Article 42.

2　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall previously obtain the authorization of the Minister of Transportation when the actions mentioned in the preceding paragraph is taken.

Article 44.　No motor bike shall be serve for operation unless it meets the safety technical standards fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance as to the matters enumerated in each of the following items:

Article 45.　No light vehicle shall be served for operation unless it meets the safety technical standards fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance as to such matters as are enumerated below:

Article 46.　The safety technical standards under the provisions of Articles 40 to 42 inclusive, Article 44 and the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as "safety standards" ) shall be those under which the structure and equipment of the vehicle for road transportation can fully withstand the operation and can be safe for driving and other working for use, and at the same time, shall be secure from giving any harm to passers-by or other persons, and besides, shall not be such as will result in imposing undue limitations on any manufacturer or user in connection with the manufacture or use of motor vehicles.

Article 47.　Any person who operates a motor vehicle shall inspect the motor vehicle once a day in accordance with the technical standards fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance prior to the commencement of the operation thereof.

Article 48.　The Minister of Transportation may give recommendations to any user of a motor vehicle to carry on maintenance and repair in accordance with the technical standards fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance.

Article 49.　Any person who uses ten or more motor vehicles with riding capacity of eleven persons or more, or any motor carrier shall, when he has effected the disassembling repair (referring to repair or remodelling of motor vehicles to be carried out by dismantling prime mover, power transmission system, running system, steering system, brake system, buffer system or coupling system, which is fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance;hereinafter the same) as to motor vehicles with riding capacity of eleven persons or more or business motor vehicles, enter the matters enumerated in each of the following items in the motor vehicle maintenance and repair record:

Article 50.　In order to have the inspection, maintenance and repair as well as the supervision business of motor vehicle garage handled, any user of motor vehicle of which riding capacity is eleven persons or more shall appoint maintenance and repair supervisor at every principal abode of use of such motor vehicle;any motor carrier using motor vehicles of which riding capacity is ten persons or less shall appoint maintenance and repair supervisor at every principal abode of use of five or more motor vehicles;and any other user of motor vehicles shall appoint maintenance and repair supervisor at every principal abode of use of ten or more motor vehicles.

2　Any person who shall appoint the maintenance and repair supervisor in accordance with the provisions referred to in the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as "users of large-size motor vehicle, etc." ), shall accord the maintenance and repair supervisor necessary authority to execute his duties.

Article 51.　No person shall be eligible for a maintenance and repair supervisor referred to in the preceding Article unless he comes under any one of the following items:

2　No person with whom two years have not elapsed after transfer as the result of the order provided for in Article 53 shall be eligible for maintenance and repair supervisor.

Article 52.　Users of large-size motor vehicles, etc. shall, when they have appointed any maintenance and repair supervisor, report to the chief of Land Transportation Bureau to that effect within fifteen days from the day of the appointment. The same shall apply when any alteration thereto has been made.

Article 53.　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau may order the users of large-size motor vehicles, etc., to transfer any maintenance and repair supervisor, when the maintenance and repair supervisor violated this Law, or orders under this Law, or dispositions thereunder.

Article 54.　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau may, when any motor vehicle is in a state likely to fail to meet the safety standards or in a state failing to meet the same, order the user of the motor vehicle concerned to effect maintenance and repair of minimum necessity to remove the apprehension of failing to meet the safety standards, or to make them conform to the safety standards.

2　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau may, in cases where the user of motor vehicle fails to comply with the order under the provisions of the preceding paragraph, where the motor vehicle concerned is in a state failing to meet the safety standards, suspend the use of the motor vehicle concerned, or restrict the method or route of the use of the motor vehicle concerned.

3　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall, when the motor vehicle involved in the disposition referred to in the preceding paragraph has come to meet the safety standards, cancel the disposition referred to in the same paragraph without delay.

Article 55.　The Minister of Transportation shall, upon application, effect the ability authorization for motor vehicle maintenance and repair mechanics in order to provide for the elevation of maintenance and repair of motor vehicles.

2　The ability authorization referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be effected by deciding through written examination and practice examination as to whether any applicant has the knowledge as well as ability in regard to the safety standards and other maintenance and repair of motor vehicles.

3　The categories, subjects of examination and the procedure for taking the authorization test and other details for the enforcement of ability authorization shall be fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance.

Article 56.　The Minister of Transportation may give recommendations to any user of a motor vehicle to conform to the technical standards provided for by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance, with regard to the motor vehicle garage used thereby.

Article 57.　The provisions of Article 54 shall apply mutatis mutandis as regards motor bikes and passenger light vehicles (referring to the light vehicles served for the transportation of passengers by carriers by light vehicles;hereinafter the same). In this case, "the chief of Land Transportation Bureau" shall read "the governor of To (only in the area where the special ward system is enforced) or mayors of cities or headmen of towns and villages)" .

Article 58.　No motor vehicle shall be served for operation unless the user thereof has undergone the inspection of the chief of Land Transportation Bureau having jurisdiction over the locality of the principal abode of use thereof, and has obtained the delivery of the motor vehicle inspection certificate therefor;provided, however, that as regards the motor vehicles for which the permission of temporary operation provided for in Article 34 has been obtained, this shall not apply.

Article 59.　Any person who intends to undergo the inspection referred to in the preceding Article shall submit to the chief of Land Transportation Bureau an application on which are entered the matters enumerated in each of the following items, and besides, shall present the motor vehicle itself:

2　The provisions of Article 7 paragraph 3 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the cases of the preceding paragraph.

Article 60.　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall, when he deems, after the inspection referred to in Article 58, that the motor vehicle concerned meets the safety standards, and besides, that the applicant is entitled to use the motor vehicle concerned, deliver to the applicant the motor vehicle inspection certificate on which are entered the matters enumerated in each of the following items:

Article 61.　The period of validity of motor vehicle inspection certificate shall be one year.

2　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau may, in the case of the preceding Article, paragraph 1 of the next Article or Article 63 paragraph 3, when he deems that the motor vehicle concerned is likely to fail to meet the safety standards before the lapse of one year, fix the period of validity referred to in the preceding paragraph to less than one year.

3　In the case of renewal or re-delivery of motor vehicle inspection certificate under the provisions of Article 67, Article 68 or Article 70, the period of validity of motor vehicle inspection certificate to be newly delivered shall be the remaining period of validity of the former motor vehicle inspection certificate.

Article 62.　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall, in cases where any person who intends to use motor vehicle continuously after the expiry of the period of validity of motor vehicle inspection certificate has undergone, before the expiry of the period of validity thereof, the inspection to be effected by the chief of the Land Transportation Bureau, and when it is deemed that the motor vehicle concerned meets the safety standards, and besides, that the applicant is entitled to use the motor vehicle concerned, renew the period of validity of the motor vehicle inspection certificate concerned, and shall make entries in the motor vehicle inspection certificate to that effect.

2　The motor vehicle for which the renewal of valid period of motor vehicle inspection certificate has been obtained in accordance with the provisions referred to in the preceding paragraph, may be served for operation irrespective of the provisions referred to in Article 58.

Article 63.　Any user of a motor vehicle shall, within the period to be announced officially or notified which shall be fixed by the chief of Land Transportation Bureau, present to the chief of Land Transportation Bureau the motor vehicle and the motor vehicle inspection certificate concerned in order to undergo the inspection referred to in paragraph 3.

2　The official announcement or notice of the chief of Land Transportation Bureau referred to in the preceding paragraph may be effected only when the Minister of Transportation deemed necessary and made notification to that effect in the cases of frequent occurrence of accidents due to the inferiority of structure, equipment or performance of motor vehicles or when the illegal use of motor vehicles is conspicuous.

3　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall, in case of the presentation referred to in paragraph 1, execute the inspection, and when he deems that the motor vehicle concerned meets the safety standards, and that the person who has made the presentation is entitled to use the motor vehicle concerned, he shall renew the period of validity of the motor vehicle inspection certificate concerned, and make entries in the motor vehicle inspection certificate to that effect.

4　The provisions of paragraph 2 of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis as to any motor vehicle of which renewal of the period of validity of motor vehicle inspection certificate has been obtained in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Article 64.　When the disassembling repair of motor vehicles (excluding light motor vehicles) is effected, the user of the motor vehicle shall present to the chief of Land Transportation Bureau the motor vehicle and the motor vehicle inspection certificate concerned, and shall undergo the inspection by the chief of Land Transportation Bureau;provided, however, that this shall not apply when the disassembling repair work has been effected by a motor vehicle disassembling repair business operator referred to in Article 78, and moreover, when the inspection referred to in Article 90 has been effected.

2　The provisions of paragraphs 3 and 4 of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis in cases where the presentation referred to in the text of the preceding paragraph has been made and as to the motor vehicle for which the renewal of the period of validity of motor vehicle inspection certificate has been obtained.

Article 65.　The provisions of Article 18 paragraphs 1 and 2 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the cases where the inspection under the provisions of Article 58, Article 62 to the preceding Article or Article 67 paragraph 2 has been intended to undergo.

2　The chief of B Land Transportation Bureau referred to in Article 18 paragraph 1 which applies mutatis mutandis in the preceding paragraph shall examine as to whether the motor vehicle which has been presented to him meets the safety standards, and shall report the result to the chief of A Land Transportation Bureau referred to in Article 18 paragraph 1 which applies mutatis mutandis in the preceding paragraph.

3　The chief of A Land Transportation Bureau may entrust to the chief of B Land Transportation Bureau the designation or renewal of the period of validity and entry thereof in regard to the motor vehicle inspection certificate of the motor vehicle involved in connection with the permission referred to in Article 18 which applies mutatis mutandis in paragraph 1.

Article 66.　No motor vehicle shall be served for operation unless it is provided with motor vehicle inspection certificate;provided, however, that this shall not apply as to any motor vehicle for which permission of temporary operation as provided for in Article 34 has been obtained.

Article 67.　Any user of motor vehicle shall, when there is any alteration as to the matters of entry in the motor vehicle inspection certificate, obtain, within fifteen days from the day on which the reason therefor took place, the entry in the motor vehicle inspection certificate to be executed by the chief of Land Transportation Bureau as to the alteration of the matters concerned;provided, however, that this shall not apply in the cases where the renewal provided for in the following Article has to be obtained.

2　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall, when he deems that the alteration referred to in the preceding paragraph is likely to fail to meet the safety standards on account of its coming under any one of the following items, order to undergo the inspection as to whether the motor vehicle concerned meets the safety standards:

3　The provisions of Article 63 paragraphs 1, 3 and 4 shall apply mutatis mutandis as to the cases of the preceding paragraph and the motor vehicles for which the renewal of the period of validity of motor vehicle inspection certificate has been obtained.

Article 68.　Any user of a motor vehicle shall, when he has changed the locality of the principal abode of use of the motor vehicle concerned from the area under jurisdiction of the chief of Land Transportation Bureau by whom the motor vehicle inspection certificate concerned has been delivered, to the area under jurisdiction of the chief of another Land Transportation Bureau (referred to as "the chief of B Land Transportation Bureau" , in this Article), obtain, within fifteen days from the day, the renewal of the motor vehicle inspection certificate to be effected by the chief of B Land Transportation Bureau.

Article 69.　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau may, in the case where he has effected the inspection referred to in Article 63 paragraph 3, Article 64 or Article 67 paragraph 2, and when he deems that the motor vehicle concerned fails to meet the safety standards, order the user of the motor vehicle to return the motor vehicle inspection certificate concerned with documents in which the reasons thereof are stated.

2　Any person who comes under any one of the following items shall return, without delay, the motor vehicle inspection certificate concerned to the chief of Land Transportation Bureau:

3　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall make indications in the motor vehicle register book concerned as regards the fact of the suspension of use when any motor vehicle inspection certificate has been returned in accordance with the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs.

4　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall, when the motor vehicle involved in the order to return in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 has come to meet the safety standards, or when he has cancelled the suspension of use in accordance with the provisions of Article 54 paragraph 3, give back the motor vehicle inspection certificate which has been returned.

5　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall, when he has given back the motor vehicle inspection certificate in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, or when the user of the motor vehicle concerned has come to possess a valid motor vehicle inspection certificate, delete the indications referred to in paragraph 3.

Article 70.　Any user of a motor vehicle may, when the motor vehicle inspection certificate has been lost, damaged, or has become hardly distinguishable, obtain the new certificate.

Article 71.　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall, when the user, as regards the motor vehicle of which owner had undergone the inspection and obtained the delivery of motor vehicle preliminary inspection certificate referred to in paragraph 4, has made an application by fixing the locality of the principal abode of use, deliver to the person concerned the motor vehicle inspection certificate on which are entered the matters enumerated in each item of Article 60.

2　The delivery of motor vehicle inspection certificate referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be regarded as the delivery of motor vehicle inspection certificate effected after the inspection in accordance with the provisions under Article 58.

3　The provisions of Article 59 paragraph 1 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the person who intends to undergo the inspection referred to in paragraph 1. In this case, "items (3) to (6) inclusive" in Article 59 paragraph 1 item (1) shall read "items (3) to (5) inclusive" .

4　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall, when the motor vehicle concerned is deemed to meet the safety standards as the result of inspection referred to in paragraph 1, deliver to the applicant the motor vehicle preliminary inspection certificate on which are entered the matters enumerated in Article 60 items (1) to (3) inclusive, items (6) to (16) inclusive, item (19) and item (20), name or title and address of the owner of the motor vehicle concerned, as well as the locality where the motor vehicle concerned is situated.

5　The provisions of Article 61 shall apply mutatis mutandis as to the motor vehicle preliminary inspection certificate. In this case, in paragraph 2 of the same Article, "the preceding Article, paragraph 1 of the following Article or Article 63 paragraph 3" shall read "Article 63 paragraph 3 or Article 71 paragraph 4" .

6　The provisions of Articles 63 and 64 shall apply mutatis mutandis as to the motor vehicles involved in the delivery of motor vehicle preliminary inspection certificate. In this case, "user" shall read "owner" , and "motor vehicle inspection certificate" shall read "motor vehicle preliminary inspection certificate" .

7　The provisions of Article 67 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the case where there has been any alteration as regards the matters of entry in the motor vehicle preliminary inspection certificate. In this case, "user" shall read "owner" .

8　The provisions of Article 68 shall apply mutatis mutandis as regards the motor vehicle involved in the delivery of motor vehicle preliminary inspection certificate. In this case, "user" and "the locality of principal abode of use" shall read "owner" and "locality where located" respectively.

9　The provisions of Article 69 paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 item (2) shall apply mutatis mutandis as to the motor vehicle involved in the delivery of motor vehicle preliminary inspection certificate. In this case, "user" and "motor vehicle inspection certificate" shall read "owner" and "motor vehicle preliminary inspection certificate" respectively.

10　The provisions of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis as to motor vehicle preliminary inspection certificate. In this case, "user" shall read "owner."

Article 72.　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall provide a motor vehicle inspection record in which matters concerning the inspection of motor vehicles as well as the delivery, entry, renewal, return and re-delivery of the motor vehicle inspection certificates and the motor vehicle preliminary inspection certificates to be provided for in this Chapter shall be entered.

Article 73.　No motor bike or passenger light vehicle shall be served for operation unless the user thereof undergoes the inspection of the governor of To (only in the area where the special ward system is enforced) or mayor of city, town or village having jurisdiction over the locality of the principal abode of use thereof as to whether the same meets the safety standards, and moreover, whether the applicant is entitled to use the vehicle for road transportation concerned, obtains the designation of motor bike number or passenger light vehicle number, and obtains the delivery of motor bike inspection certificate or passenger light vehicle inspection certificate.

2　No motor bike or passenger light vehicle shall be served for operation unless the motor bike number plate or passenger light vehicle number plate bearing the motor bike number or passenger light vehicle number is indicated at a place easily seen in the rear thereof.

3　The provisions of Article 61 paragraph 1 shall apply mutatis mutandis as to the motor bike inspection certificate and passenger light vehicle inspection certificate.

Article 74.　The Minister of Transportation shall appoint the motor vehicle inspection official from among the employees of the Ministry of Transportation, and cause him to assist the chief of Land Transportation Bureau as to the inspection of motor vehicles provided for in this Chapter as well as the affairs concerning the dispositions under the provisions of Article 54.

2　The provisions of Article 24 paragraph 2 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the motor vehicle inspection official.

Article 75.　The Minister of Transportation shall, for the purpose of elevating the safety of motor vehicles, designate, upon application, motor vehicles as to their types.

2　The designation referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be effected by judging whether the motor vehicle involved in the application meets the safety standards, and besides, whether the same has uniformity.

3　Any person who has submitted the application referred to in paragraph 1 shall, in cases where he transfers the motor vehicle of which type has been designated, inspect whether the motor vehicle concerned meets the safety standards, and when he deems that the same conforms thereto, he shall issue the termination certificate of completion inspection, and deliver it to the transferee.

4　The Minister of Transportation may, when the motor vehicle of which type had been designated has ceased to meet the safety standards, or the same has ceased to have uniformity, cancel the designation thereof. In this case, the Minister of Transportation may limit the effective scope of the cancellation as to the motor vehicles which have been manufactured by the day of the cancellation.

Article 76.　The form and procedure of re-delivery of motor vehicle inspection certificate and motor vehicle preliminary inspection certificate, the procedure of inspection referred to in Article 73 paragraph 1, matters of entry as well as matters concerning the return of motor bike inspection certificate and passenger light vehicle inspection certificate, the standards of inspection referred to in paragraph 3 of the preceding Article, the form of termination certificate of completion inspection referred to in the same paragraph, and other details of enforcement of inspection of vehicles for road transportation provided for in this Chapter shall be fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance.

Article 77.　The kinds of motor vehicle disassembling repair business (referring to the business which executes the disassembling repair of motor vehicles other than light motor vehicles;hereinafter the same) shall be those enumerated below:

Article 78.　Any person who intends to manage a motor vehicle disassembling repair busines shall obtain the authentication of the chief of Land Transportation Bureau for each kind of motor vehicle disassembling repair business and for each business place where the inspection referred to in Article 90 is executed.

2　The authentication of the motor vehicle disassembling repair business may be effected by designating the kind of the objective motor vehicles, and otherwise by limiting the scope of business.

3　Conditions may be attached to the authentication of the motor vehicle disassembling repair business, or the same may be altered.

4　The conditions referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be limited to the minimum extent necessary to execute properly the disassembling repair of motor vehicles to be performed by the person who has obtained the authentication of the motor vehicle (hereinafter referred to as "motor vehicle disassembling repair business operator" ), and moreover, shall be such as will not impose any undue burden to the motor vehicle disassembling repair business operators concerned.

Article 79.　Any person who intends to obtain the authentication of motor vehicle disassembling repair business shall submit to the chief of Land Transportation Bureau an application on which are entered the kind of motor vehicle disassembling repair business and the locality of the projected business place, together with the documents sufficient to convince him that the chief inspector referred to in Article 85 will be appointed and that the facilities conforming to the technical standards referred to in paragraph 1 item (2) of the following Article will be furnished.

2　Any person who intends to obtain the authentication with limited scope of business referred to in paragraph 2 of the preceding Article shall enter in the application the kind of motor vehicle and the scope of business, in addition to the matters enumerated in the preceding paragraph.

3　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau may require the person who has applied for the authentication of motor vehicle disassembling repair business to submit such necessary documents as the copy of commercial register, etc., in addition to those to be provided for in the preceding two paragraphs.

Article 80.　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau shall, when the application under the provisions of the preceding Article meets the standards enumerated in each of the following items, effect the authentication of motor vehicle disassembling repair business:

2　The technical standards under the provisions of item (2) of the preceding paragraph shall be of the minimum extent necessary for the disassembling repair of motor vehicles for each kind of motor vehicle disassembling repair business.

Article 81.　The motor vehicle disassembling repair business operator shall, when there has been any alteration as regards the matters enumerated in each of the following items, report to the chief of Land Transportation Bureau within thirty days as from the day on which the reason thereof took place:

2　In the cases where the motor vehicle disassembling repair business operator has come to fall under any one of the following items, the person enumerated in each of the items concerned shall report to that effect to the chief of Land Transportation Bureau within thirty days as fromm the day on which such reasons took place:

Article 82.　When there has been any succession or amalgamation as regards motor vehicle disassembling repair business operator, the successor (in the case of two or more successors, when the successor to inherit the business has been selected upon deliberation among them within thirty days after the death of the ancestor, the person), or the juridical person who continues to exist after the amalgamation or the juridical person established through the amalgamation shall succeed to the position under the provisions of this Law of the motor vehicle disassembling repair business operator.

2　Any person who has succeeded to the status of motor vehicle disassembling repair business operater shall report to that effect to the chief of Land Transportation Bureau within thirty days as from the day on which such a reason took place.

Article 83.　When a motor vehicle disassembling repair business operator has transferred the motor vehicle disassembling repair business, the transferee shall succeed to the status under the provisions of this Law of the transferrer.

2　The provisions of paragraph 2 of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to the case of the preceding paragraph.

Article 84.　When a report for the cancellation of business has been made in accordance with the provisions of Article 81 paragraph 2 item (5), the authentication of the motor vehicle disassembling repair business shall lose its effect.

Article 85.　The motor vehicle disassembling repair business operator shall, except in the cases where he himself becomes the chief inspector, appoint the chief inspector at each business place where the inspection referred to in Article 90 is executed in order to cause him to manage the inspection referred to in Article 90 and the matters concerning the entry in disassembling repair record referred to in Article 91.

2　The chief inspector shall only be eligible as the chief inspector at a single business place.

Article 86.　No person shall be eligible for the chief inspector referred to in the preceding Article unless he comes under any one of the following items:

2　Any person who has been transferred in accordance with the order provided for in Article 88, and with whom two years have not elapsed from the day of the transfer shall not be eligible for the chief inspector.

Article 87.　The motor vehicle disassembling repair business operator shall, when he has appointed the chief inspector, report to that effect to the chief of Land Transportation Bureau within fifteen days from that day. This shall also apply when the same has been changed.

Article 88.　The chief of Land Transportation Bureau may, in cases where any motor vehicle for which the chief inspector has executed the inspection referred to in Article 90 fails to meet the safety standards, order the motor vehicle disassembling repair business operator to transfer the chief inspector concerned.

Article 89.　The motor vehicle disassembling repair business operator shall, at the business place, indicate the sign of which form may be fixed by Ministry of Transportation Ordinance, in a way easily seen by the public.

2　Any person other than the motor vehicle disassembling repair business operator shall not indicate the sign referred to in the preceding paragraph or any sign similar thereto.

Article 90.　The motor vehicle disassembling repair business operator shall, when any disassembling repair has been completed, inspect as to whether the motor vehicle concerned meets the safety standards.

Article 91.　The motor vehicle disassembling repair business operator shall keep the disassembling repair record, and shall, when the inspection referred to in the preceding Article has been executed, enter therein the matters enumerated below: