Job Discussion Forums

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

Most jobs I'm seeing are saying that you require an international driver's license.

What's up with that?

Seems a bit ridiculous in a city-setting where subways and buses are frequent.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Are you sure those jobs are for large city areas only? Usually only the jobs in rural areas (or where there is a possibility you will be placed in a rural area) will ask you to have a license. Which areas are the jobs you are looking at in?

ssjup81 · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 1:48 am Post subject:

To be honest, I find it kind of crazy to have an international driver's license unless you already know you have the job. The license is only good for one year, then you have to renew it and do the test and all that.

G Cthulhu

Just to be pedantic, it's an International Driver's Permit. It's not a license. and secondly, unless you've got a Japanese (or German or French) license then you're not (legally) allowed to be driving in Japan without an IDP anyway.

seklarwia · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:57 am Post subject:

I have a French license. Does that mean I can drive without a IDP should I ever want to? - Can't stand driving, but it would be nice to know that the option is there should it be needed.

Why French or German? Are the international relations with them that valuable to Japan? French drivers (especially in Paris) are absolutely horrendous with their idea of getting into a tight parallel spot being to play bumber cars with the vehicles in front and behind until the space is big enough to squeeze into Laughing

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

Why France and Germany, you ask? Add to that Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, and Taiwan (as of 2008, anyway).

Reason: they "share the same licensing system as Japan"

http://www.rainbowfia.or.jp/en/living/page.php?id=45

seklarwia · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 12:39 pm Post subject:

So I wouldn't be able to use it anymore in a couple of weeks and would need to take the Japanese test... nevermind; I really depise driving anyway.

slodziak · Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 143 Location: Tokyo

If you are lucky enough to come from one of the countries below you don't need to take a test to get a Japanese license.

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, The United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Taiwan and South Korea.

Just get an official translation of your home license and then pop along to your local driving agency to complete the application (about 2 to 3 hours).

Having a Japanese license can make your life easier in a number of ways. Of course it is the only legal way for residents to drive in Japan; it can also be used as ID when applying for things such as a new phone, getting things from your local Kuyakusho and when applying for things such as gym membership.

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

Nagoyaguy · Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 425 Location: Aichi, Japan