Job Discussion Forums

DWRowe · Joined: 07 Aug 2010 Posts: 6

I am in Thailand now and I would like to apply for jobs in Japan that require an international driver's license. I have a copy of my valid California driver's license and a valid, proper international driver's license issued by the AAA in America.

The problem is I only have a copy of my California license, the original plastic card was accidentally stored away in a place no one can get to back in the States. Will the powers that be accept only a copy of the California license along with the full original AAA issued IDL?

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

The only thing you need to "prove" you have an IDL is the IDL itself. What is your employer asking for?

Bear in mind that it is only good for 12 months after you arrive, so you will need to make other arrangements after that time if you intend to drive in Japan. That means getting a Japanese license.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 10:26 pm Post subject:

DWRowe · Joined: 07 Aug 2010 Posts: 6

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

Looks like according to Chthulhu you should get your original license to accompany you. I just got mine for a trip to the USA, and the officer kindly suggested (nor ordered) me to take my Japanese license with me. (I no longer have my U.S. license.)

Not sure if you need both to be able to have a parking space, but if you have a car in Japan, you need t prove you have a space! You will probably need your license to rent a car here.

What employers want in general will vary considerably. If they want you to have the IDP, then apparently you will have to get your original license shipped to you as well. Beyond that, an employer could ask for resume, a couple of photos (for immigration purposes) and ultimately a copy of your passport contact/picture page (also for immigration, but not needed beforehand). Should an employer also want a video of you demonstrating something, that's case by case.

A little more about the IDP:
http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpfaqc.html?association=undefined&clb_id=undefined&secure=N
http://www.japandriverslicense.com/faq.asp (Q1-5)

DWRowe · Joined: 07 Aug 2010 Posts: 6

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

No, I have not applied for any job that required it, but is it that difficult to grasp that employers will probably want to see the IDP and probably a copy of your regular license?

Other stuff I offered was for anyone's benefit. Read it or not as you please. I don't consider that an academic discussion, just information free for the taking.

Life in Japan is really a lot of case by case situations.

DWRowe · Joined: 07 Aug 2010 Posts: 6

No, it is not difficult to grasp, why get snotty? I think a reasonable person could see I had a grasp that it possibility could be acceptable or I would not have made the original post in the first place.

I can not think of any point in the process where someone will absolutely NEED the original. I am looking for confirmation from someone who has actually been through the process to tell me if I am wrong. Is that difficult to grasp?

G Cthulhu · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 6:59 pm Post subject:

DWRowe · Joined: 07 Aug 2010 Posts: 6

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 9:56 pm Post subject:

Beware of trolls. both of you. You've offered great advice to someone who wanted an answer different from the ones you've provided.

We see it a lot on the saudi board...

NCTBA

G Cthulhu · Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 12:31 am Post subject:

DWRowe · Joined: 07 Aug 2010 Posts: 6

Frankly, mine was a simple question and was asking for clarification if the answers are theory or actual experience. Looks like that is enough to bring out attitude from some who seem to be posting just out of the thrill to read their own writing.

Forget the whole thing, I am not looking to join a circle jerk that seems to be going on here, I will work it out myself.

Okonomiyaki

If I were you (and I am, in a sense: applying for the same jobs you are, and living in Thailand), I would steer clear of any jobs that ask you to have a driver's license. Here's why:

A typical English teacher's job in Japan has a 250,000 yen per month salary. That doesn't vary much, but the number of hours you work DOES vary considerably. Some schools will require you to teach "25 classroom hours per week", and that's all-- the rest of your time is your own. Yay! Those're gems. Some schools require 35 or even 40 classroom hours, lowering your per-hour income significantly. Bear with me, now... many schools will fake you out by telling you about "25 classroom hours per week", but they will also tack on mandatory office hours, raising your work time up to 35, 40, or even 48 hours stuck in their office. Now here's the nastiest part: many schools will scatter your classroom hours throughout the day, AND throughout the city/countryside, BUT they won't consider the commuting time part of your "work time". So somehow, in their imaginations, those employers imagine that you're on your "free time, not working" when you're schlepping 30 minutes each way to a corporate on-site lesson or a high school that only wants you for an hour a week. Hell, they may not even pay for your gas, car insurance, or busfare. Those employers will gladly pretend your commuting time is none of their concern.

So... if an employer says "driver's license necessary", I'm running away-- and I suggest you do the same. Concentrate on employers that give you just ONE location and preferably line up those classroom hours in continuous blocks. If you don't, your rate-per-hour can sink lower than what a burger-flipping minimum wage teenager makes.

bearcat · Joined: 08 May 2004 Posts: 367