The steps you'll need to go through to be allowed to drive in Japan for holders of license's from other countries and you'll need to know what to expect when applying for permission to drive in Japan. Whilst, those wanting to learn how to drive for the first time this section is designed to help you get behind the wheel too.

Contents 1 Getting Started 2 International License 3 Japanese License 4 Transfering your License 5 Getting a License 6 Expert Tips 7 Directory of Driving Schools

Getting Started

International License

An International Driver's Permit is accepted in Japan for up to one year from your initial arrival - this is the "Date of Landing" (box 9) on your Gaijin Card, or until your driver's license expires, or until the IDP expires, whichever comes first. NO non-Japanese license is valid after one year, no matter what it says on the license or permit. You typically cannot renew an IDP from within Japan.

You do not need an IDP to exchange your existing driver's license for a Japanese one.

If you have a Japanese license and need an IDP for use outside Japan you can obtain one at any license issuing center - there are many and any local police box can tell you where the nearest one is - you don't need to go to the testing center. Bring the usual photos, your license, passport, etc.

One very important point to remember is that an IDP allows you to drive the same vehicles you can drive at home, and ONLY the same vehicles. For example, a regular Japanese license includes 50cc motorbikes. Unless your current license contains a motorbike endorsement you can't drive small bikes in Japan. Conversely, there are 3 classes of bike license in Japan but if your license doesn't contain restrictions you can drive any size motorbike.

Japanese License

Transfering your License

Japan has agreements with more than 20 countries to ease conversion of their driver's licenses into Japanese ones. Among these countries are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. If you're from one of these countries, converting your license is easy. Here are the steps:

1. Go to your local license center
2. Provide an official translation of your home country's license
3. Take an eye test
4. Prove that you lived at least three months in the license issuing country after receiving your license

For those from countries who have not made a license agreement with Japan - like the US, China, and Brazil - they will have to take the official Japanese written and practical tests. These are notoriously difficult, and most people - even experienced drivers - take several attempts before they pass.

Getting a License

Expert Tips

Directory of Driving Schools