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Japanese driver's license and car
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TK4Lakers



Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 159
PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 12:38 am    Post subject: Japanese driver's license and car Reply with quote
Hello everyone. I am living out in the boondocks of Japan as an ALT, travelling around by foot and bus. This has been a big pain since the countryside does not offer the same amenities as the suburbs/city do.

I've heard that foreigners can rent cars here, with the whole package including insurance, for about 20,000 yen a month. Any truth to this? Has anyone tried this out lately?

Also, I don't have a International DL nor a Japanese DL. Am I, as a foreigner, allowed to just march into the local office and apply and register for a Japanese DL (of course, if I pass the test)? Are there restrictions/prerequisites I must attain and complete before this?

Any help would be greatful, thanks!
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TK4Lakers



Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Posts: 159
PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 12:44 am    Post subject: a lil more... Reply with quote
To be more specific, I live in the Ibaraki-prefecture (I believe the office to apply is in Mito).

I have a U.S. driver's license that expires next October, but no Int'l license.

Any help, thanks!
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PAULH



Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 12:47 am    Post subject: Re: Japanese driver's license and car Reply with quote
TK4Lakers wrote:
I've heard that foreigners can rent cars here, with the whole package including insurance, for about 20,000 yen a month. Any truth to this? Has anyone tried this out lately?


I know of one language school in Saitama that makes teachers lease a car from the school and makes teachers pay for its use. The downside is that the school does not provide personal liability insurance if the driver is injured in an accident or the car is damaged. the teacher becomes personally liable for any damages to the vehicle. Check that you have FULL coverage if you take this route including third-party insurance.



Quote:
Also, I don't have a International DL nor a Japanese DL. Am I, as a foreigner, allowed to just march into the local office and apply and register for a Japanese DL (of course, if I pass the test)? Are there restrictions/prerequisites I must attain and complete before this?


if you have no licence whatsoever, including foreign licence, you can not just walk in off the street and take a test and be allowed to drive a vehicle. You have to go through a registered driving school which will empty your bank account of 300,000 yen before they allow you to take a driving test. You can take lessons in english and the driving test but forget about a licence without taking a driving course first.

If you have a foreign licence over 3 months old you can go to a testing center and exchange it for a Japanese licence. Americans need to take a practical driving test first.

Last edited by PAULH on Sun Jul 16, 2006 5:07 am; edited 1 time in total
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PAULH



Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 12:49 am    Post subject: Re: a lil more... Reply with quote
TK4Lakers wrote:
To be more specific, I live in the Ibaraki-prefecture (I believe the office to apply is in Mito).

I have a U.S. driver's license that expires next October, but no Int'l license.

Any help, thanks!


I have an American friend in Aichi who has tried to get a Japanese licence and has to sit the practical driving test at the testing center. I can put you in touch if you are interested.
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Brooks



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1369
Location: Sagamihara
PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 2:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
yes you have to go to Mito.
In Yokohama, I had driving lessons several times at the DMV.
That was a lot cheaper than taking a class.
I think in Ibaraki, the written test may be in Japanese.
You will have 10 questions.

these sites are useful:

www.japandriverslicense.com

www.globalcompassion.com/driving.htm

http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-drive.html
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Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 5:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
You need to have your current license translated by the Japanese Auto Federation.
If you cannot show by dates on your license and passport that you were driving in the US with it at least 3 months, you will have to get another document from your DMV proving you got the original license at least 3 months before you came here. Get that translated, too.

THEN, you can follow the regular procedures to get a driver's license. Read this link, too, for some advice on how to do the behind the wheel portion. Some people have taken the test a dozen times before passing!!!
http://www.gaijinpot.com/bb/showthread.php?t=22858
http://www.gaijinpot.com/bb/showthread.php?t=2777

And, if you decide to BUY a car, you will have to prove to the police that you pay for a parking space, too.
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chirp



Joined: 03 Dec 2005
Posts: 148
PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 1:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Not quite a hijack of the thread... Embarassed

I have the option of leasing a car in Japan for 15,000 yen/monthly including all maintenance and insurance costs (I am investigating exactly what is covered by the included insurance)

OR

Receive a free 2nd hand car up to a value of 100,000yen but I will be responsible for maintenance, insurance (I imagine), and a car inspection which I am told can be quite expensive.

Any thougths? Suggestions? Advice? I will be living in more rural Ibaraki - train station about 30 minutes away by bus.
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Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
PostPosted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 9:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
chirp,
Find out WHEN the shaken (safety inspection) is due and how much it is. You are right in thinking it can be expensive.

Find out, also, if your employer is providing a parking space or if YOU have to pay for one. To own a car, one has to prove a parking space is paid for within a couple of kilometers of your home. One more expense to what you listed.

Also, when do you plan to leave Japan? If you leave before the shaken is due, you won't have to pay for it, as long as you can dump the car.
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PAULH



Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
PostPosted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
chirp wrote:
Not quite a hijack of the thread... Embarassed

I have the option of leasing a car in Japan for 15,000 yen/monthly including all maintenance and insurance costs (I am investigating exactly what is covered by the included insurance)



Why should it cost you 15,000 a month? Technically if its company vehicle your employer should be paying for it IMO. Does maintenance cost 15,000 yen a month? You have gasoline costs on top of it as well, parking space.


I drive a 2000 CC tank and my main costs are the shaken, (car insurance) and parking. If the car is in good condition it shouldnt cost too much to maintain. Shaken may cost up to 100,000 yen a year for a medium sized car. Car spaces are 10-15,000 yen a month depending on your area.

Quote:
Receive a free 2nd hand car up to a value of 100,000yen but I will be responsible for maintenance, insurance (I imagine), and a car inspection which I am told can be quite expensive.


Shaken is a combination of registration, insurance and a road tax. you can not drive on the road with expired shaken and as the