Job Discussion Forums

anne_o · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 172 Location: Tokyo

Hi all.......I have two questions I'm hoping someone can answer.

1. When a school asks for a photo, what kind of photo do they want?
A professional headshot in a suit with no smile or personality, or something more casual?

2. On sites like O-Hayo it seems that many jobs ask for an international drivers license. My California license was stolen here in Bangkok, so I don't even have that for I.D. If I did decide to take a job where this was required; either now or in the future. Do I need to send for a new license in the states in order to get an international license?

I'm just trying to be prepared in case I have to go through the process, which will undoubtably take some time.

As always.....thanks for any info......

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

1. professional headshot is best.

2. International license is only good for 1 year and then for Americans the process of getting a Japanese licence is pretty involved and expensive. Go down to Khaosan Road get a decent fake international licence (if you can't be bothered getting one from home) and take it from there.

Gypsy Rose Kim · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 151

I am not 100% sure, but I don't think you can get an international license unless you go to the DMV in California in person.

I was unable to renew my Massachusetts license from overseas, but that was years ago. Might be different if it was lost, plus, different state, etc.

I would check into it as soon as possible, though. You might find you have to fly home to take care of it.

southofreality · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Tokyo

You can get an international driving permit (it's not a license) at any AAA office in California for around $10. While driving in Japan, you're required to carry both the permit and the driver license you hold from your home state. And, you can only drive on the international permit legally for one year. After that you'll need to get a Japan driver license.

From the U.S. Embassy website:
"Note that IDP's are not intended to replace valid U.S. state licenses and should only be used as a supplement to a valid license. In other words, you must also have a valid U.S. state license in addition to an IDP to drive in Japan."

Here's the link to that site:

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

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

And it's not even a U.S. rule... That is the rule for ANY country that issues an international driver's license. In order for that license to be valid, you MUST also possess a valid driver's license in your home country and be able to produce BOTH when requested. An IDP is essentially a supplement to a license -- not an actual license in its own right.

If I were you, I'd be e-mailing the California state DMV to find out the procedure for replacing a stolen license.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

The OP says "here in Bangkok", so he/she is not in California right now, if that matters to anyone.

I recommend replacing it because after using a new IDP in Japan for 12 months, you will have to convert to a Japanese license, and I think that will require translating your American license, not the IDP.

Be careful where you get the IDP, too. There are plenty of scams on the Internet.

As for the photo, get a picture from the shoulders up, with you dressed nicely (suit attire is best but not required), and remove any facial piercings. Use a neutral background (not a cutout from a home party photo with your buddy's arm visibly draped around you). Smile if you like. It's expected from us foreigners even if Japanese people usually don't for such things. Your picture will probably be used for company brochures, not just visa application.