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crankyjiji
Joined: 11 Nov 2007
Posts: 21
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 Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 10:56 pm Post subject: can I legally drive in Japan? |
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Does anyone know if I (from the U.S.) can use my U.S. driver's license to drive in Japan? I will be visiting this time for just 2 or 3 months. Do I need to go through the hassle of getting an international driver's license?
I will be driving my girlfriend's car. |
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Apsara
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 2142
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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From the website of the US Embassy in Tokyo: "Americans cannot drive in Japan with only a U.S. drivers license. Persons found driving in Japan without a legal license are subject to fines, arrest and possible deportation. "
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| Do I need to go through the hassle of getting an international driver's license? |
Yes, you do. |
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Ashtonmd
Joined: 10 Jul 2008
Posts: 18
Location: Ontario - Osaka (nov)
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| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:44 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm pretty sure you need an international drivers license. I don't know why you say its such a hassle - it took me 10 mins. Though I am Canadian, all I had to do was walk into CAA with 2 passport photos, and sign my name at the bottom - and it was only 15 bucks! Cheap, fast and easy - so I suggest getting one so you don't have to deal with any consequences over there! |
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crankyjiji
Joined: 11 Nov 2007
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 2:23 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the answers.
I just had heard that Japanese people can drive for a limited time in the U.S. with their licenses. And wondered if such an agreement worked both ways. |
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Lyrajean
Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 109
Location: going to Okinawa
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| Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:35 am Post subject: |
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| crankyjiji wrote: |
I just had heard that Japanese people can drive for a limited time in the U.S. with their licenses. And wondered if such an agreement worked both ways. |
Nope. Need an IDP. Period. And that is only valid for one year. Looks like the OP will be okay since they are staying for only a few months, but if you are there for logner than one year you need to get a Japanese licence. And this is more or less of a hassle depending on what country you are from. For Americans and S.Africans iamong others it is a hassle. You have to colelct more paperwork than you ever thought possible and take all the tests. |
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G Cthulhu
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
Posts: 1373
Location: Way, way off course.
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| Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 7:06 pm Post subject: |
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| crankyjiji wrote: |
I just had heard that Japanese people can drive for a limited time in the U.S. with their licenses. And wondered if such an agreement worked both ways. |
The "hassle" of getting an international driving permit is ten minutes of your time at AAA, two passport photos, and ~$15. If that's a "hassle" for you then you are not going to survive more than twenty minutes in Japan (although, maybe that wouldn't be so long as to be a "hassle" for you?). 
Japanese cannot drive in the US on their home country licenses. They need an IDP as well. Now, given the number of McPolice forces in the US, your chance of running into a cop that knows that is low, but that doesn't change what the laws are in the majority of the states. |
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bearcat
Joined: 08 May 2004
Posts: 367
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| Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:55 am Post subject: |
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| International driver's license is only valid for use in Japan during your first visit/year in Japan. Any time there after it is not valid for use in Japan. |
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