Job Discussion Forums

[kiracle]

I know there have already been posts about getting a Japanese license but I couldn't find an answer to my problem so here goes...

I've heard that your license must be valid for 3 months in your home country before you come to Japan. I've been a licensed driver in the States for 10 years BUT my current license was renewed only a month and a half before I came here. I don't have my old one becuase the reason I got it this one was that my old one was stolen.

Will I have trouble?

Thanks,

kiracle

[Gordon]

You might. Get something in writing from the Driver's License centre stating when you got your license originally or a driver's abstract of your driving history. They won't take your word for it, you will need to prove that you've had your license for more than 3 months. They are anal about it.

[kiracle]

oh, crap. I was I afraid of that. I have a Vermont license now becasue my parents live there and it was easier ( since I had been living in Europe and had no other US address) but before that my license was New York States. So who do I contact? Ugh. This sounds like serious not fun. And I'll only need the stupid thing for six months during which I will probably never get pulled over. Double Ugh!

[Gordon]

Contact the NY driving center. Do you qualify for an int'l license (in your first yr here)? I take it you don't.

[kiracle]

Yes, the international driver's license was no problem. I had a valid VT license after all. I just went to AAA and got it. It will run out the end of August though. That's why I'm worry about getting a Japanese license now...

Did a little internet research on getting a driver's abstract. (Thanks for that tip btw) Possible but a royal pain in the butt.

Thanks.


I know I shouldn't even be thinking about it but just out of curiosity..... anybody had an expereince being caught without a Japanese license? Are the possible negative consequences I might incur during a short six month perios w/o a license worth the trouble now?

[ryuro]

DO NOT RISK DRIVING ILLEGALLY!

If you get caught it will cost you MINIMUM 300,000yen (usually more, 'cause they'll find all sorts of little things to slap on the original fine)plus you will lose ALL driving privledges for a MINIMUM of one year from the date of the infraction. This means you would not be able to drive AT ALL even with a valid Int'l Permit.

I know this from first hand experience (didn't happen to me) but I manage a large group of teachers and having a Japanese DL is one requirement of the job. One of our teachers was in a similar situation as you and got caught driving without a valid DL. He had an Int'l Permit, but because he had been here for over a year already, the Japanese Police and Driving authorities WOULD NOT recoginize it.

Aside from the hefty fine, it cost him his job, because driving was necessary to get to the classrooms- so my advice, don't risk it.

And yes, it will be a ROYAL pain in the butt! In some cases you may have to convince them to accept the abstract documents- they won't take them automatically. Generally there's a debate with the manager of the Unten Menkyo Center (driving license center) and the person presenting the documents as to wehther they'll actually accept the abstract rather than a DL. In one instance I had to visit the DL Center dragging the Japanese President of our company along to convince these more than anal persons to accept one of our teachers abstract documents. It's ridiculous!

Then of course being American you'll have to take the written and behind the wheel exams. The written test is a joke, but expect to take the driving 'test' several times before you 'pass'. The quickest I got an American candidate a DL was 4 months, the average takes about 6 months (multiple return visits with additional documents and the teacher having to return to try the driving test 4 times before passing).

Sorry, I can't be more positive about the whole experience, but I'd get on it ASAP and if you drive while not being legal- you're taking a BIG RISK.

Cheers,
ryuro

[kiracle]

Wow. Okay. So I guess I'll go for the pain in the butt option.

[Gordon]

My employers wanted a copy of my DL and said that if I didn't have the proper driving license (but I did) and was caught by the police, my school would be embarassed. I would also lose my job.