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Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

Can anyone here give me a first hand account on getting a driver's liscence in Japan. I've never had a liscence and thus the international option is out. Yes, Yes I know I could just fly home and get it but I find myself in an extremely small town in Japan and it's going to be quite sometime before I get another extended vacation.

My main questions:

1.) Is it mandatory to attend one of those Japanese driving schools? I've heard that they fail everyone unless they have taken a course. Urban myth?

2.) What level of Japanese would be required? I would consider myself at a conversational level.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

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

1. No, but it depends on your circumstances. If you have a valid license from your home country, you don't need to attend a driving school. If you don't have a license from home, then it still may depend on the country you're from.

2. I know a person who went through the course with only a modicum of Japanese.

To give you a firsthand account, I could PM you, but for now, how about looking at FAQ 37 on the fourth sticky?

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

You need to learn how to drive before you can get a license. Have you ever operated a motor vehicle?

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

Thanks for the point to the sticky Glenski, it was very helpful. I would like to hear your personal experience as well when you have the time.

I do know how to drive Sweetsee even though I have never obtained a driving liscence. Anyone who grew up in a somewhat rural Canadian town knows what I'm talking about. Wink

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

I see. Well, that's good. Unfortunately, I do believe that you need to attend a driving school and language shouldn't be a problem.
Also, there is some truth to your urban myth. When you have a foreign license it is advisable to take the Saturday training session, depending of course on where you go.

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

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

My personal experience is relatively moot in your case (never having had a license). Here goes, though:

I studied the Rules of the Road. Figured logically what they would ask.
I studied the course route from some online sources, and got tips on how to handle certain aspects of the course.
I spent 500 yen to test drive the course on the morning of my exam.

Took the written and passed in the morning.
Took the driving test that afternoon and passed. Had never driven on the left except for a brief week in England 10 years earlier. My Canadian friend who had driven (coughillegallycough) here for a few years failed the test because he didn't stop at a stop sign! (He's one of those who had to take the driving test despite being Canadian. Let his previous home license lapse.)

If you want more details, PM me, but like I said, it's relatively moot for you. You're going to have to go home and get a license and drive there for 3 months before returning here to switch over your license, or take the driving course here without going home.

Hoser · Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 694 Location: Toronto, Canada