Menkyo Helper
Can't read your Japanese car documents? Scan them.
Photograph the 車検証 (periodic inspection certificate), the windshield sticker or the 自賠責 compulsory insurance certificate with your phone. Menkyo Helper reads the expiry dates, shows the days left in your language with what to do and where, and reminds you 60, 30 and 7 days ahead — for every car in the household.
Three steps
1. Photograph the sheet, the sticker or the certificate. 2. The app reads the expiry date and the plate and shows them to you to confirm — nothing is saved on its own. 3. You see the days left in your language and get reminders 60, 30 and 7 days ahead.
The papers it reads
車検証 — the periodic inspection certificate, or the 記録事項 sheet that comes with the new electronic card (the expiry and the plate). The windshield sticker (検査標章) — a close-up is enough. 自賠責 — the compulsory insurance certificate (the last day of the insurance period).
Why it matters
Driving with an expired 車検 means penalty points, a fine and possibly a licence suspension; driving without 自賠責 is a more serious offence still. The official notices arrive by post, in Japanese only — and they are easy to miss.
Your privacy
The photo is processed in memory on our server and deleted immediately; neither the image, its text, nor the name or address printed on it is kept. Only the date and plate you confirm are saved — on your device, and in your account when you are signed in so reminders can reach you.
Every car in the house
Add each car with its own 車検 and 自賠責 dates and a name or plate; each one gets its own reminders. The first car is free; up to five cars with Premium. Your driving licence expiry and beginner-mark year live on the same screen.
And there is more
Menkyo Helper is also a complete guide to the Japanese driving licence in 12 languages: foreign-licence conversion, the written test, road signs, licence renewal and the procedures in your prefecture. Free on the web and on Google Play.