“JDM” driver badge, leaf, new driver, elder driver, soshinoya badge, koleshiya badge, etc. This topic has been in my head ever since I saw an ass load of people rocking these things at JDM Theory last week. Now seriously, what the hell is the deal with these things? Do people rock these things because they are “JDM” mad tite yo? Since when was it cool to rock something on your car means you are a noob or an old coot?
For those who do not know the meanings of these things, let me break it down. Please note that I am by no means an expert on these badges, but merely someone that has a few hours to waste on Google and a burning desire to flame idiots.
First up, we have the newbie, “soshinoya badge.” This badge is required by law in Japan to be placed in vehicles with new drivers (for the first year). It seems to be the most popular badge that is seen on the cars of many idiots alike. From Hondas, to Acuras, to Nissans, this piece of shit badge seems to be everywhere. It is the equivlant of going down to the local decal store and having them print up a huge vinyl decal (because decals are mad tite yo) for your car that says “STUDENT DRIVER–BACK OFF!”
The other badge is known as the, “koleshiya badge.” This is the only other type of badge available (to my knowledge). This badge is required to be placed on all vehicles where there is an elder driver behind the wheel (of 60 years of age or older). The badge itself literally translates into, “OLD PERSON–BACK OFF!” You don’t see these on cars as often here in the USA as the newbie ones but, they are around. In fact, I saw someone at JDM Theory last week rocking a picture of the koleshiya badge on their t-shirt with the text “Elder Driver” on the bottom. To me, its the equivalent as having a handicap sign on your license plate or your rear view mirror.
Now, when I say “STUDENT DRIVER–BACK OFF” or “OLD PERSON–BACK OFF,” I literally do mean “BACK OFF!” In Japan, apparently if you are involved in an accident with a person who has either of these badges, you are automatically at fault (seemingly no matter what the situation may be).
To this day, I still do not understand the infatuation with these stupid trinkets. This isn’t Japan. Having a Japanese badge on your car does not make you cool. I do not understand why busters are paying nearly $20 for these idiotic things.
If you have some time, hit up this thread on Club RSX. I found a thread on there where their genius forum members have discussed this topic to great lengths. A whopping 95 posts in fact.
If you are running short on time, let me sum up some of the things said on the thread:
I have the New Driver Badge its kinda Unique cause not many ppl around here I know of have them.kinda different
I know what the Badges mean thats a reason I got it plus ITS JDM cant go wrong with JDM
Haha yeah it is…. but it is also something different cause around where I live theres not much JDM and I have a New Driver Badge cause I am not 60yrs.
i just got mine for car show points, and it makes people wonder here and mississippi. Cause a car with real JDM parts and looks is rare rare rare here!
but were loaded down with auto zone modded cavielerss!!!!!
And to sum up this article the best:
Because [someone] saw somebody in japan do it, unfortunately that makes it cool for 98% of the population of males under the age of 21.
jdm for the sake of jdm is just retarded
The bottom line, if you have either one of these stupid “JDM” badges, go to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200.
YOU LOSE!
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14 responses so far ↓
1 Tristan // Jan 19, 2008 at 6:07 pm
yeah good topic actually. i always actually wondered what the deal was with those things. thanks for the clarification and humor =D
2 350's are ghey! // Jan 19, 2008 at 6:23 pm
man i got two words for you SCREW YOU! i want people to see that badge and know to not drive near me. Its like an invisibility shield and the simple fact that its JDM! gives it an extra +. The japanese know what they are doing thats why JDM is soooooo cool!! those badges ROCK….asshole
3 Prashant // Jan 19, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Wow dude, you serious? Cuz I don’t know if I should laugh or shake my head in disappointment.
4 MikEvo8 // Jan 30, 2008 at 5:10 pm
hahah every time i see some n00blet with one of these on their car i have to look at them and laugh. BUT IT’S MAD TYTE JDM YO!!!1
5 Alice // Feb 2, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Would you people just get the fuck over yourself? It’s really no different than other form of showing your appreciation for Japanese car culture. How you could get so damn bet out of shape over something so trivial is beyond me. I myself want to get one for my car, and it isn’t even Japanese. It’s meaning can be interpreted differently by all sorts of people. To me, it shows that you have an interest in Japanese car culture and that you’re a fan of Japanese cars - yes, I know that isn’t its literal meaning, but come on. It’s just a damn sticker. Let it go, for fuck’s sake. =/
6 Jordan // Mar 5, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I personally think that they are stupid. I don’t see the point of putting a sticker on your car because japanese people do it. And it’s not like your supporting them by doing it, they have to do it. I hate being treated like a kid when I’m driving so why would I put a sticker that means exactly that “I’m a kid, I suck at driving.” I don’t know it seems really stupid to me but I guess we all have our own oppions
7 What is Rice? - 8th Generation Honda Civic Forum // Mar 8, 2008 at 2:29 am
[…] Younger driver" badges…why?? HERE IS A NICE ARTICLE (my sentiments exactly) Ignorant Rice: JDM Driving Badges (Soshinoya / Koleshiya) | Import Factor I was gonna list more but…my hands are getting tired…. Disclaimer: The views expressed by […]
8 Anon // Mar 23, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Obviously, everyone who commented in favor of those “JDM” badges pretty much represent the future of America. I feel so sorry that the future of this country is going to be carried on by retards and asshats, too interested in pop culture and stupid ricer “trends” that they don’t even understand. However their “opinion” seems good enough for them that they don’t feel bad or get their feelings hurt, although they should.
Most of the replies I read from these retards can’t spell and type like they are leaving comments on a MySpace page.
It’s comparable to getting a cool Chinese or Japanese tattoo on your arm. You think you know what it says, but 9/10 it says “I like black cock”. It makes me sick every time a ricer gets a raging hard on over a JDM ashtray or some JDM headlights, or a right hand drive conversion that would make them worse drivers then they already are.
Ignorance is bliss. All these JDM fanboys and girls need to sodomize themselves with a retractable baton.
9 Soshinoya????? - Civinfo // Mar 28, 2008 at 4:06 am
[…] definately NSFW - JDM Driving Badges (Soshinoya / Koleshiya) | Import Factor and no, I haven’t read the 95 page forum link which it refers […]
10 DriftingKalamari // Apr 6, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I drive an S13 SilForty and S14 Zenki. Because I drift I appreciate the stickers, it helps differentiate not-so-good drifters from experienced ones. BTW if anyone has one just ’cause they think its cool and “JDM” do not know much about Japanese culture. Do it because you like it, not just because it’s JDM. Any Japanese person here would see you driving and think you are a dumb noob.
11 Mike Eurelius // Jun 10, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I think we hurt alot of little kids egos with this post. Don’t cry little ones you’ll grow out of this phase. Having shit on your car that’s useless for the sake of JDM. Funny Funny people.
12 JDM AS FUK! // Jun 30, 2008 at 6:45 pm
IN JAPAN YEA… THESE BADGES WOULD MEAN THAT. BUT HERE IN THE U.S. WE USE EM TO LET OTHER IMPORT HEADS KNOW IF EITHER YOU ARE NEW TO THE IMPORT SCENE OR BEEN IN THE IMPORT SCENE FOR A WHILE THATS IT BRO AND IF YOU DONT LIKE ITS KOO BUT I TELL YOU WHAT YOUR GONNA SEE EM AND IF YOU DO LOOK AWAY LOL EZ
13 Mike Eurelius // Jun 30, 2008 at 8:34 pm
HAHAHA Mr. JDM AS FUK.. that’s the biggest bunch of bullshit I’ve ever read on our comment section. If you believe that, you’re a fucking noob.
Seriously.
14 Aaron // Jul 7, 2008 at 9:57 am
i have a soshinoya badge, i got it in my Japanese’s class, i only put it up because i have had my license for less than a year, but its coming down on the day it becomes one year. i have a lot of respect for Japanese’s culture so i don’t mind putting the badge on my car regardless of what other people think. i use the badge for its correct meaning and i wouldn’t have put it up if my sensei didn’t tell me what it meant first, seeing as she has lived there for more years than i have been alive.
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