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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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 Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:18 pm Post subject: Driver's License Advice |
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| I'm going for an interview tomorrow for a Japanese Driver's License. Any words of advice or tips? Do you think a translator would be necessary since my Japanese isn't that good. |
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easyasabc
Joined: 13 Jul 2003
Posts: 179
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:52 pm Post subject: Re: Driver's License Advice |
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| Gordon wrote: |
| I'm going for an interview tomorrow for a Japanese Driver's License. Any words of advice or tips? Do you think a translator would be necessary since my Japanese isn't that good. |
Gordon,
I can only speak from what I experienced getting my Japanese licence but in my case the people at the licensing centre could not speak English at all and were pretty freaked out having to deal with a gaijin. A couple of the forms I had to do had English on them but certainly not all of them. It was OK for me because I speak Japanese relatively well but if you can't speak much Japanese it might be best to take someone to translate.
In my case I had to have my Australian licence with me and had to get it translated at JAF first which cost about 3000 yen. If you go by yourself and need to find which counter to go to once you get to the licence office(oh yes there are lots of different counters!) you should ask forthe "gaimenkirikai" section.
If you need to go to JAF to get your licence translated you can find your local branch by looking at the English JAF website which is at: http://www.jaf.or.jp/e/index_e.htm
The website also has a section for info about changing an international licence to a Japanese one.
All I had to do was show proof of my Australian licence, fill out a form about any medical conditions etc. and read a very basic eye chart and they gave me a Japanese licence. |
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shmooj
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
Posts: 1758
Location: Seoul, ROK
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2003 2:00 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the help and the sites.
I am a Canadian and even though the law in Japan says I don't need to take a driver's test, my prefecture (Kagawa) is making me take it. As far as I know (and the Cdn consulate), it is the only prefecture that does. What a bummer.  I know you Americans out there have no sympathy for me because all of you have to take it. |
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shmooj
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
Posts: 1758
Location: Seoul, ROK
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| Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2003 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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That sucks  That is so Japan though isn't it... the law says... so my prefecture does something completely against it...
Well, look on the bright side, at least you are Canadian which is more than I can say for those from the US 
Exit stage left with flame retardant jacket |
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Nagoyaguy
Joined: 15 May 2003
Posts: 425
Location: Aichi, Japan
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| Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 12:15 am Post subject: |
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Dammit, that is annoying. Last year I spent a ton of time and effort lobbying for Canadians to get a licence here. Wrote to the consulates, police, various provincial governments, and so on. It all came out well. As of Feb 28 of this year, you should be able to change your licence anywhere in Japan. Perhaps the folks in Kagawa haven't heard about the change in the LAW- do they say why they refuse to obey it? How about other nations that have had reciprocal agreements for years, like Oz or NZ or England - do they have to take a test too?
I would get on the horn to the consulate in Osaka and raise a *beep*. Write to the papers, get some publicity, basically shame people into compliance.
IF you can prove you had your Canadian licence for 3 months prior to coming to Japan, you should be in the clear. Either that or go to another prefecture and do it there. |
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shmooj
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
Posts: 1758
Location: Seoul, ROK
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| Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 12:37 am Post subject: |
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According to the FAQ on the aforementioned website, you canNOT change your license anywhere but have to do it at your nearest drivers' licensing centre. I'm pretty sure this is the truth.
As for us Brits, Kiwis and Ozzies - just an eye test thank you very much  |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 1:46 am Post subject: |
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| I did go to the Cdn Embassy, they contacted the Kagawa prefecture and the Driving Center told the Embassy that they can do whatever they want. Their reason, "Kagawa has many bad foreign drivers". I call it a cash cow and a power trip. I can't do any more. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 8:10 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I did go to the Cdn Embassy, they contacted the Kagawa prefecture and the Driving Center told the Embassy that they can do whatever they want. Their reason, "Kagawa has many bad foreign drivers". I call it a cash cow and a power trip. I can't do any more. |
Gordon,
I highly recommend that you write a letter to the editor of a major newspaper here and cite what they are doing. It is purely and simply illegal, in my opinion.
They can do whatever they want??????? Horse hockey!!!!!!! Raise a stink and advertise how they flaunt the laws of their own country. Just remember to do it as professionally as possible. |
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JimDunlop2
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Posts: 2286
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 7:02 pm Post subject: I'd like to know too.... |
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While we're on the topic... I would also like to get some 1st hand experiences as to what questions get asked at the interview... I'll be going through this in November so I wouldn't mind knowing what to expect...
Fortunately, I'm not in Kagawa pref. so I don't have to take a test... (Being Canadian...)
Can anyone provide some enlightenment? |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 8:55 pm Post subject: |
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Interview? Do you mean the written test? They are just standard driving questions that you can guess from basic driving experience and a glance at Rules of the Road.
Examples,
What should you do when you see this sign? (no parking, or no stopping, or whatever)
Mopeds are required to drive in what lane of traffic?
True or False. It is ok to drive if you have had only one glass of alcohol. |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 11:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Jim, in the first interview they want to look at all your papers and ask about your driving training and how you got your license way back when you were in Canada. One friend was asked "what % of your driving school class passed their test". My 40 year old friend "36%". How ridiculous. Another Q, what kind of a driver are you? |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2003 8:23 am Post subject: |
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Hey I got my Japanese driver's license today. What a relief. The course is so funny looking, like something a high school class constructed.
My wife and I both took the test today and the bizaare part is that they wanted us to be in the car together with our infant for the test. No car seat at all for her.  |
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fromCanada
Joined: 20 Sep 2003
Posts: 48
Location: Ontario
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| Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2003 2:58 am Post subject: |
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Gordon,
Congrats on getting the licence!  |
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J-Pop
Joined: 07 Oct 2003
Posts: 215
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2003 7:19 pm Post subject: Good show . . . |
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Yes, congrats Gordon, one less thing to worry about.
I'm not familiar with Kagawaken.
Are there, in fact, a LOT of "foreigners" living there? If so, are they Brazilian-Japanese (or mixed ancestry from Peru?, Chile?) or from other places?
Just curious.
And . . . while we  are on the topic.
One thing you said that seems curious (which is, I guess, the reason you mentioned it). Your little one was in the car, with you & your wife (same set up for you both of you I guesss, you both took the test, yes?), but without a car seat?
Not up on my Japanese car seat laws . . . but, isn't that illegal? To have a child in the car w/o a car seat? |
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