Job Discussion Forums

[ranmawoman]

How does one go about getting an international driver's license in the states for Japan? I've tried looking at the DMV site and it doesn't say anything about an IDL.

I googled IDL and a lot of the sites look a bit shady. Does one go to AAA?

[guest of Japan]

[denise]

If you did a google search, you should also have found a place in Kentucky. I used them, and I trust them to be legitimate. (But then, I have yet to be stopped by the police...)

d

[Glenski]

ranmawoman,
Just remember this. After you live in Japan for a year, the IDL is no longer valid, no matter when you got it. After living here for twelve months, you either don't drive, or you get a Japanese license.

[ranmawoman]

Thanks all. I seriously think that I'll be too scared to drive around Japan anyway. But after going to a NOVA interview, the recruiter suggested that it may be a good idea to. I think I'll leave the driving up to everyone else. Thanks for the FYI though!

[Celeste]

In the cities, you won't want or need to drive, but if you are placed in a small town or plan to vacation in the countryside, you may want the option. I live in a big city, and the only time I have missed driving is when I want to go to the beach or hiking on the weekends.

[Gordon]

I bought a car 2 months before I came to Japan. I live in a small city and would have difficulty surviving without a car. I started driving the day I got here, it wasn't too difficult to get used to. The hardest part was learning to change gears with my left hand (I'm from Canada) and drinking coffee at the same time.

[ryuro]

Also don't forget this other important points if ya want to get a Japanese DL...

1) You must be able to prove that you have at least 3 months driving experience on your home country's DL (so if you renew your DL or get your DL less than three months before leaving for Japan you may be screwed).

2) If you are on a 2nd or 3rd passport, the driving center may insist on seeing your old cancelled passports. If ya can't produce them you may be screwed.

3) The names as they appear on your passport, home county's DL and your Japanese alien registration card (once you recieve it) must match EXACTLY letter-for-letter. If they don't, or you recently changed your name you may be screwed.

This also applies to common welathers as well. Just 'cause ya don't have to take the examinations, doesn't mean it's an automatic process.

And just so ya know, this info comes from nearly 8 years experience living and recruiting in Japan and having to help teachers acquire Japanese DL's, so I know what I'm talking about. Of course, driving centers are different from place to place, but don't forget they're generally staffed to middling bureacratics who've nothing better to do than waste time and stick to the absolute letter of procedure, expecially if their hemeroids are flaring-up.

Good luck!
ryuro

[bearcat]

Larger city DMV's in Japan tend to be more anal retentive than hinterlands locations. Also, before you could only get your license from one location per prefecture but its to my understanding that they have changed this.

[Gordon]

[Gordon]

Denise, it looks like you're going to have to get your Japanese license soon. Gambatte masu.

[Glenski]

[capper]

G,
You been driving lately or are you still shedding pounds pedalling away?!

[Sweetsee]

Saitama's Konosu Driver's License Center is manned by police.

Examiners are instructed to fail any non-Japanese that have not taken the training course. You can meet any number of people on any give day there who have taken the test numerous times, most are like myself and can't be bothered to take the training course.

I met a gentlemen while waiting for the bus who told me I would never pass and he advised me to save myself the time, frustration and humiliation by flying overseas and getting an international one.

I did and will go get another one next year.

[easyasabc]