Does anyone know how to go about getting an international driver's license in Japan? I have an American Driver's license and live in Chiba. I hope I don't have to take a test and pay outrageous fee for it. I am going to call the DMV next week but if anyone had problems in the past getting it I'd like to know. Thanks.
|
|
|
|
コメント(24)
I made a Japanese driver license from my French driver license in one afternoon. Total cost: 6000 Yen.
Step one, go to Japan Automobile Federation (JAF)office in Tokyo (http://www.jaf.or.jp/e/index_e.htm) to get your driver license translated to japanese. Takes about 2-3 hours ( they did mine in a lunch break time).
Step two, go to any Japanese driver license center and apply for a japanese driving licence. There is a special office/counter for this. Then, pass a eye test ( not hard even is you don't speak japanese, I wear glasses and I passed it with glasses on), wait several hours, and here you have your new japanese driver licence!
Have fun!
http://www.seejapan.co.uk/transport/road/driving.html
Step one, go to Japan Automobile Federation (JAF)office in Tokyo (http://www.jaf.or.jp/e/index_e.htm) to get your driver license translated to japanese. Takes about 2-3 hours ( they did mine in a lunch break time).
Step two, go to any Japanese driver license center and apply for a japanese driving licence. There is a special office/counter for this. Then, pass a eye test ( not hard even is you don't speak japanese, I wear glasses and I passed it with glasses on), wait several hours, and here you have your new japanese driver licence!
Have fun!
http://www.seejapan.co.uk/transport/road/driving.html
I have a US license and I just went through the whole 9 yards. Here's what I learned. First of all, the only international license that's considered some what legitimate is the one from AAA. But, if you get it, and you get pulled over, there's a good chance the cops won't accept it. Also, if you get into an accident, you've got some serious problems. It's much better to get your Japanese license and not worry about that stuff.
Unfortunately, transferring a US license is a bit more difficult than transferring a French license. You do still have to translate your license, make sure you have something that proves that you were in the US for at least 3 months while you had your license. I renewed my passport since I came to Japan and my original entry stamps were missing, so I had to provide tax documents. Then you will be asked to take a simple 10 question computer based multiple choice test. Super easy! Then the agent will schedule a driving test for you. This is a bit harder but not as hard as the one for the Japanese. The cost for all of it is pretty low. Good luck!!
Unfortunately, transferring a US license is a bit more difficult than transferring a French license. You do still have to translate your license, make sure you have something that proves that you were in the US for at least 3 months while you had your license. I renewed my passport since I came to Japan and my original entry stamps were missing, so I had to provide tax documents. Then you will be asked to take a simple 10 question computer based multiple choice test. Super easy! Then the agent will schedule a driving test for you. This is a bit harder but not as hard as the one for the Japanese. The cost for all of it is pretty low. Good luck!!
>> I read that you have to receive your International license 3 months BEFORE you come to Japan.
No, you have to receive your full US/etc license 3 months BEFORE you come to Japan to use an international.
btw, US is about the ONLY country that needs to do the driving test etc. The rest of us just do the forms, pay alotamoney, and get the Japanese (which lasts until your 3rd b'day - ie 2.x yrs - what a ripoff unless you apply just after your b'day)
No, you have to receive your full US/etc license 3 months BEFORE you come to Japan to use an international.
btw, US is about the ONLY country that needs to do the driving test etc. The rest of us just do the forms, pay alotamoney, and get the Japanese (which lasts until your 3rd b'day - ie 2.x yrs - what a ripoff unless you apply just after your b'day)
Actually, it's far from being the only country. Any country that does not have a reciprocal arrangement that allows Japanese citizens to directly transfer their licenses has to do the watered down tests, which includes the driving test. As a matter of fact, out of the room of 15 some foreigners that were taking the driving test with me, there may have been only one other American.
> "I was told that I could only use my international license (issued by Japan) in the U.S. for three months even though the license itself clearly stated it was valid for a year."
Are we talking about an "international driving permit" or an "international driver's license"? In at least some US states (like New York), there's no such recognized document as an international driver's license. An international driving *permit*, though, is recognized at least in as much as it tells the authorities that you have a valid foreign driver's license. It's basically a translation document of your actual driver's license. But it's your actual license that lets you drive, not the international permit. (And you can drive with a Japanese license here.)
See here: http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/license.htm#driversfromothernations
So that's going from Japan to the US. I don't know if the same is true going from the US to Japan, but I would think this has to be determined by treaty so it's gotta be pretty much the same. I notice that if you do decide to get a license as a foreigner, the requirements for getting a US license are pretty much the same as the requirements posted earlier for getting a Japanese license for Americans. I have always been taught that those international driver's licenses are basically a big scam. They don't mean anything. It's your real driver's license that matters.
Are we talking about an "international driving permit" or an "international driver's license"? In at least some US states (like New York), there's no such recognized document as an international driver's license. An international driving *permit*, though, is recognized at least in as much as it tells the authorities that you have a valid foreign driver's license. It's basically a translation document of your actual driver's license. But it's your actual license that lets you drive, not the international permit. (And you can drive with a Japanese license here.)
See here: http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/license.htm#driversfromothernations
So that's going from Japan to the US. I don't know if the same is true going from the US to Japan, but I would think this has to be determined by treaty so it's gotta be pretty much the same. I notice that if you do decide to get a license as a foreigner, the requirements for getting a US license are pretty much the same as the requirements posted earlier for getting a Japanese license for Americans. I have always been taught that those international driver's licenses are basically a big scam. They don't mean anything. It's your real driver's license that matters.
After the law change in 2002, Foreigners, who reside in Japan for more than one year and wish to continue to drive in Japan, must convert their driver's license into a Japanese license.
I hold a UK license, so for me I only had to get it translated at JAF, then go to the driving center to take the eye test and photo.
Getting the renew of the license is fun.... NOT.
You have to sit in a 2hour video lecture and there is no escape until you have seen it all. Sob stories about accidents and dangers of drink driving etc... I think you have to do this a few more times... :(
I hold a UK license, so for me I only had to get it translated at JAF, then go to the driving center to take the eye test and photo.
Getting the renew of the license is fun.... NOT.
You have to sit in a 2hour video lecture and there is no escape until you have seen it all. Sob stories about accidents and dangers of drink driving etc... I think you have to do this a few more times... :(
Hi Jeff. Yes, like カメラバカ said, I meant "international driving permit."
>> (And you can drive with a Japanese license here.)
Which part of the U.S. do you live in, if I may ask? The only state that I know that lets you drive with a Japanese license alone - i.e. with no international driving permit - is Hawaii. A friend of mine had insisted that he could in Washington State, but he got busted doing that.
>> (And you can drive with a Japanese license here.)
Which part of the U.S. do you live in, if I may ask? The only state that I know that lets you drive with a Japanese license alone - i.e. with no international driving permit - is Hawaii. A friend of mine had insisted that he could in Washington State, but he got busted doing that.
re: Japan license in US
Snipped from a US rental company.
An acceptable valid driver's license, issued from your country of residence, MUST be presented at time of rental. The driver's license must be valid for the entire rental period. If the driver's license is in a language other than English, and the rental is in the United States, an International Driver's Permit is recommended. In all cases, a valid driver's license issued in your home country must be provided, whether or not you possess an International Driver's Permit. You will not be allowed to rent a XXXXXXX vehicle with only an International Driver's Permit.
Snipped from a US rental company.
An acceptable valid driver's license, issued from your country of residence, MUST be presented at time of rental. The driver's license must be valid for the entire rental period. If the driver's license is in a language other than English, and the rental is in the United States, an International Driver's Permit is recommended. In all cases, a valid driver's license issued in your home country must be provided, whether or not you possess an International Driver's Permit. You will not be allowed to rent a XXXXXXX vehicle with only an International Driver's Permit.
Hi オリバー. Well that sure does indicate that you are allowed to drive in the U.S. with a Japanese drivers license alone, doesn't it? I find it odd... I mean, how would you know you have a valid drivers license when you can't even read what's written on it? Even the expiration date can be confusing because they use 元号 in Japan.
> だいはど
I guess its more of the if you are a good driver, you are unlikely to be pulled over by the police :) hehehe...
but yeah, I guess it will really depend on who rents out the car.
For example when I go to the US I always take my tatty piece of paper (old style UK driving license) which don't even have a photo. Also I don't have to renewal until I'm 60 or so hehehehe..
I guess its more of the if you are a good driver, you are unlikely to be pulled over by the police :) hehehe...
but yeah, I guess it will really depend on who rents out the car.
For example when I go to the US I always take my tatty piece of paper (old style UK driving license) which don't even have a photo. Also I don't have to renewal until I'm 60 or so hehehehe..
Today I went to Kaihinnmakuhari driving center in Chiba to transfer my American driver`s licence to a Japanese one. Guess what? I failed. The written test was a joke. No brainer. BUT the practical test was tough. I had to drive super tight corners and two back to back 90 degree turns as wide as a car. If you even touch the curb, they will fail you. Well, my examiner complimented on my driving skill. I had no problem driving the cource BUT he took me points off for not checking the left side mirror when turning left. Apparently in Japan you are suppossed to make sure that there are no bikes or bicycles next to your car! So I failed. When it comes to rules, they are super strict! I have one more chance next month. My appointment is one day before my American driver`s license expires. That sucks. Talk about pressure.
Well, if you have a Canadian or Australian license, you don`t have to take any tests. You have to take your passport, registration of residency in Japan, the translation of your driver`s license certified by JAF or your embassy, some money, and some luck. The stat is that about 70% of foreigners fail the first test.
Well, if you have a Canadian or Australian license, you don`t have to take any tests. You have to take your passport, registration of residency in Japan, the translation of your driver`s license certified by JAF or your embassy, some money, and some luck. The stat is that about 70% of foreigners fail the first test.
- mixiユーザー
- ログインしてコメントしよう！
|
|
|
|
☆ENGLISH ONLY☆ 更新情報
-
最新のアンケート
☆ENGLISH ONLY☆のメンバーはこんなコミュニティにも参加しています
人気コミュニティランキング
- 1位
- 30代〜40代から友達作り【友活】
- 35881人
- 2位
- 暮らしを楽しむ
- 78091人
- 3位
- 40歳以上のおじさん&おばさん
- 14781人