Job Discussion Forums

Jazz1975 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 301 Location: Zama, Kanagawa

When I go to Japan, I'll have my Canadian driver's license which, if I'm not mistaken, I can use for a year. How long does it take to get a Japanese driver's license, driving lessons and all?

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

Get an international one before you come. Don't think you would want to go to J-driving school, unless you have about three grand to throw around and you think you can endure it.

Jazz1975 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 301 Location: Zama, Kanagawa

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

In the States we go to AAA with 2 passport size photos and pay ten bucks, takes a few minutes. I have also heard that you can get them online now, don't know Jazz.

Have a great friday,
s

Jazz1975 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 301 Location: Zama, Kanagawa

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

Thanks Jazz, you too. Why don't you just save up some dosh and come, hit the road running, heck you are young, right?
Either way, hope you maintain your positive attitude after you have been here, rather short supply around here.
Whereabouts in Canada are you?

Jazz1975 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 301 Location: Zama, Kanagawa

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

Not at all, others may though. Born in France and raised in Santa Barbara.
P.S. Thanks for the congratulations Jazz, appreciate that.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

I also have a few recommendations.

First, I STRONGLY recommend that if there is any possibility that you will be looking to ride a motorbike or scooter (as in, even a 1% chance)..... you will save yourself a LOT of grief, time and expense if you get a motorbike licence before you arrive here. It's a BEAR to get -- and expensive too. When you transfer your license over to Japanese, they will cap you at 400cc -- but really, that's probably all you're going to ever need here unless you have your heart set on a Yamaha R1 or a Harley or something. Please note, riding even a 50cc scooter is NOT ALLOWED under an international permit, as there is no "scooter clause" in the section dealing with standard cars. Only AFTER you get your Japanese license can you legally ride a <49cc vehicle! (Unless of course you DO have a motorbike license, in which case you are OK from the get-go).

Second, make sure you have a valid license that was ISSUED no less than 3 months before you arrive in Japan. ***THAT INCLUDES RENWALS!!!!! So far, if I had 10 yen for every foreigner who's been screwed by this little clause, I'd be rich)... When they interview you to switch your license to a Japanese one (everyone has to do the interview -- for Canadians, it entitles us to transfer our license to a Japanese one; for Americans it means you don't have to go to driving school -- it merely entitles you to take the driving test) they will ask you this question.

INTERVIEWER: How long have you had your license?
YOU: Since I was 16. So for 10 years or so.
INTERVIEWER: "Or so?" Please state exactly.
YOU: 10 years.
INTERVIEWER: But your license says here: "Issued March 2006" this license is brand new.
YOU: That's because it's a renewal. It doesn't mean I started driving in March 2006.
INTERVIEWER: Well, how do we know that? It doesn't say anywhere on there when you got your FIRST license.
YOU: DOH!!!!

That's the point at which the interview will end, and you will be forced to obtain an original letter from your DMV, stating WHEN you became a legal driver.... Then, two weeks or so later, you will have to return to the Japanese DMV to present them with this "proof" and to complete your interview.

So to make a long story short, MAKE SURE that if your license (even if it's a renewal) was issued within 3 months of arriving in Japan, you can provide written PROOF of how long you have been driving in your home country.

Third, make sure you REMEMBER all the details of your driving history. When you interview for your Japanese license, they will ask you ridiculous questions. Know the answers ahead of time. If you don't know or remember, fudge it. But always give confident replies.. Never, "I think..." or "Maybe...." Example questions: Did you go to driving school? How many hours in a classroom and how many in a vehicle? How many students were in your class? How much did it cost? What was the date of your driver's exam? How many questions were in the written test? What kind of questions were they? What was your score? What was the make/model/color of the vehicle you drove in the driving section of the exam? etc.... Don't forget, since this is Japan, this procedure may be a lot easier than this (or it could be harder too I suppose) but be prepared for anything.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

A few other random "facts" that I thought of after writing my previous response.

- You cannot legally drive in Japan on a renewed International permit (i.e. after one year).

- Canadians cannot renew their international permits by mail. (At least they couldn't when I left Canada).

- Even though most commonwealth countries can transfer licenses without doing a test, some prefectures require ALL foreigners to take the test as a matter of principle. (aka. racism).

- You may have to prove your residence (address) and it will have to match the DMV where you are applying. So, for example, let's say Prefecture Y says you MUST take a test even though you are Canadian, you can't just drive to Prefecture Z to get your license test-free.

- Some prefectures provide English tests. Some don't.

- A Japanese-issued international permit doesn't allow you to drive in N. Korea.

Amusing annecdote: While in Japan, my Canadian licence expired... So, I had to apply for a Japanese-issued international permit so I could drive back home when we went to visit. The expression on the rental-car dude's face when he asked for my driver's license was priceless... It was all in Japanese, with kanji printed all over it... But I didn't look Japanese. Smile

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

Jim maybe you can help me out. I have a renewed California driver's license. What will I have to show them to exchange that? It was renewed in 2003 and I don't have the old one.

Jazz1975 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 301 Location: Zama, Kanagawa

My Canadian driver's license was renewed back in December 2005.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Renewed in 2003=OK. As long as it wasn't renewed in the past 3 months. N. American drivers' licenses generally do not show the original date of when you got it. (You know how Amex credit cards have a: "Member since....date"?)

Well, most states (and Canadian provinces) have a procedure for providing this info. If your state is modern enough, you will fill out an online application from the website and fire it off (paying whatever fees may be applicable). If not, you may have to call the DMV during business hours.

If, for example, you are exchanging a recently-issued California permit for a Japanese one, you would go here: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/inf/inf1125.htm to print out the PDF application form and just mail it to the DMV... (Don't quote me on that though... It's a good idea to call the DMV just to make sure).

Jazz1975 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 301 Location: Zama, Kanagawa

I guess I'll just have to swing by my Canadian licensing office and/or CAA to find out what I need to do. I'll also print out a copy of this thread shortly.

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

What about the business of proving 3 months residency from the date of issuance Jim?