Job Discussion Forums

nawlinsgurl · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 8:08 am Post subject: international driving liscense

hey,
it's me again! i was wondering how many of you have an intl driving liscese and how hard it was to obtain. is it worth even getting one if i will be japan a year or two?
thanks Very Happy

ps-i will have "free" access to a car in japan.

Iwantmyrightsnow · Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 202

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Look at this link for more info

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=5023&highlight=driver+licence+license

and

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=6896&highlight=driver+licence+license

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

hey wheels,

Have wheels will trouble!
Here.

International license? Like Karl Malden says...don't leave home without it. Comes in handy and in some parts of Tokyo they are cracking down with the one year deal.

Cheers,
S

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

You can also get an international license by mail. I don't know the website, but if you do a google or yahoo search, it should be the first thing that pops up--a place in Kentucky.

d

joncharles · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Beijing

I got my International Drivers License at my local American Automobile Association office. It cost me $10 ( could be more for non-members)and it is good for one year from a specific date. I got mine in July and had it dated from August 4 (my arrival date) for a one year period. I never used it since public transportation is so easily available. I had friend who got a multi-year license. Didn't do him any good, because Japan only recognizes an international license for one year. He was driving in his second year and got into a little trouble.

I have seen some web sites that will charge you anywhere from $35 to $100 bucks for one. Since you said you will have a car, that means you will be working for one of the small schools with branches away from train or bus stops. Good.. some schools allow you to use it off hours too locally. However, if you want to stay another year, you may have to get a new license when you travel home, use a web site, or spend BooKoo bucks getting a Japanese license. Laughing

kait · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 93 Location: Lungtan, Taiwan

I had a car in Japan. I got my international driver's license at AAA. I think it took about 5 minutes to obtain.

The car was really handy for traveling in the country, but, honestly, there was no way I should have been driving in the city. Some of the traffic lights were really confusing for this Montana girl. "OK. It looks like I have both a red light and a green arrow. I didn't know I was in a turn lane." Basically, I would start moving when the car behind me honked. But, I lived in a small town, and the last bus went through at 8 PM. So, it was really nice to have the car.