Job Discussion Forums

[Ben]

does anybody know if you can drive in Japan with a New Zealand or Australian licence? And if you cant how you would go about applying for a licence etc?

[PAULH]

Ben,

By law you can not really drive on a New Zealand licence in Japan but will need to get an International Drivers Licence. Not sure where you are but if you are in Auckland the Automobile Association (or is it the Ministry of transport?) issues International licences. I saw an office on the Auckland waterfront at Hobson Bay when I was home in February You can use that licence for a year and then you will have to change it over to a Japanese licence.

You can convert your New Zealand licence to a Japanese one by getting a registered translation from JAF in Japan and going to a testing centre- I dont think New Zealanders have to take a driving test.

[G Cthulhu]

In order to drive in Japan you need a valid NZ or Oz licence and an International Driving Permit. You need both. Get the IDP from any NZAA office.

You can convert your NZ and Oz licence to a Japanese licence so long as the home country licence is a full licence and was issued at least three months prior to entering Japan. There's no written or practical test for kiwis or aussies, just an interview, eye test and (sometimes) a safety video to watch. The Japanese licence is valid for two years and you can drive on it in NZ too.


Full info can be had from the Japanese NPA site, the JAAF website or do a serach on bigdaikon.com.