Obtaining a Japanese driver's license

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Driver's License Guide
Overview Skill test Message board

Obtaining a Japanese driver's license can be tricky for foreigners. It is a multi-step process that takes both time and money. This guide will focus on information useful for JET Programme participants and other foreigners who already have a valid license from their home country in acquiring a Japanese driver's license for a normal car(普通車|futsūsha) in Ehime Prefecture.

Skip right to a detailed, step-by-step skill test guide
Read about real peoples' experiences getting their Japanese license on the discussion page


Contents

Requirements

These two conditions must be met for you to be eligible to convert your foreign license to a Japanese one:

  1. You have a valid driver's license from your home country AND
  2. you resided in your home country with your valid license for at least 3 months (not necessarily consecutive) before coming to Japan.

Necessary materials:

  • Your valid foreign license, original and a copy
  • Your IDP (if you have one)
  • Your passport, original
  • Your Alien Registration Card (外国人登録証明書 |gaikokujin tōroku shōmeisho), original and one copy
  • An officially sanctioned Japanese translation (日本語による翻訳文|nihongo ni yoru hon'yakubun) of your foreign license (see below)
  • A passport-style photograph taken within the last 6 months (hatless, facing front, approx. 3×2.4 cm)
  • Money — At least ¥9,020, not including transportation costs

What if I don't have a valid license from my country?

If your license is simply expired, then renew it. You might have trouble with the "3 months driving in your home country" requirement, though.

If you never got a license in your home country, then you're stuck. You could go home, get your license, and spend 3 months driving before returning to Japan. Or you could go through the process of getting a Japanese license from scratch, which costs a good deal of money (around ¥300,000 at best).

There are several driving schools dotted around the prefecture, mostly centered around Matsuyama. Graduating from a certified driving school takes about 60 hours from scratch, after which you'll have to take the prefectural written test in order to get your license. English-speaking instructors are few and far in between.

What if my license doesn't note the date of issue?

Some places (like the state of Texas, USA) don't print the date of issue on licenses. In that case, you will need to provide written proof, in the form of a notarized letter or official driving record, of the date your license was issued. Contact your country or state's Department of Transportation (or similar organization) to request the appropriate documentation.

Getting to the Driver's License Center

Ehime Prefecture Driver's License Center
Japanese 愛媛県運転免許センター
Ehime-ken unten menkyo sentā
Address 愛媛県松山市勝岡町1163-7
1163-7 Katsuoka-chō, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime-ken
(map)
Phone 089-934-0110
Web www.police.pref.ehime.jp

The Ehime Driver's License Center (DLC) is located several kilometers north of the JR Matsuyama train station. The closest station is JR Iyo-Wake, but it is still about a 45 minute walk to the DLC.

You can take the Iyotetsu bus Katsuoka-Untenmenkyo Senta line （勝岡・運転免許センター線|-sen） from the JR Matsuyama stop (JR松山駅前 |matsuyama-eki mae) to the Driver's License Center stop (運転免許センター |unten menkyo sentā). To search for bus times, please refer to the Iyotetsu Website and input the departure (発）and destination　（着） points and search (検索）. Then select your desired departure time and click search once more. As of 2012-4-23 it costs ¥500 and takes about 30 minutes one-way. The earliest bus departs at 6:45am. Iyotetsu Timetable as of 2012-4-23

The DLC is open on Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 5:15pm. However, certain procedures can only be done during certain times as noted below.



The Procedure

The procedure for getting your Japanese license is actually described as "converting from a foreign license"( 外国免許の切替え |gaikoku menkyo no kirikae) in Japanese. In rough outline, you must:

  1. Translate your foreign license
  2. Register
  3. Take the aptitude test
  4. Take the written knowledge test
  5. Take the skill test

Exempt countries

If you are lucky enough to be from any of the following exempt countries, you don't need to take the knowledge or skill tests:

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden

Translate your license

Japan Automobile Federation
Matsuyama Branch
Japanese 日本自動車連盟 松山支店
Nihon jidōsha renmei Matsuyama shiten
Address 愛媛県松山市南江戸5-15-32
5-15-32 Minamiedo, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime-ken
(map)
Phone 089-925-8668
Web [1]

You can't just translate your own license; you must get an official translation from either the Japanese embassy of your country, or from the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF). For most people, the JAF will be more convenient.

The JAF Matsuyama Office is located about 1km northwest of the JR Matsuyama station . You can drop in and get your translation on the same day for ¥3,000, or you can have your translation sent by mail.

To get your translation by mail:

  1. Download, print, and fill out this form (PDF)
  2. Make photocopies of your foreign license, both front and back
  3. If your license is from a country that doesn't use a Roman alphabet (Arabic speaking countries, Korea, Russia, etc.), also make photocopies of your Alien Registration Card, front and back
  4. Prepare exactly ¥3,380 in cash
    • ¥3,000 translation fee and
    • ¥380 shipping fee, as of 2009-4-30
  5. Take the form, the copies, and the cash to the post office and send them all by registered cash mail|現金書留 |genkin kakitome) to
〒790-0062
愛媛県松山市南江戸5-15-32
JAF松山支部

Or in rōmaji:

JAF Matsuyama
5-15-32 Minamiedo
Matsuyama-shi, Ehime-ken
790-0062

As of 2009-3-17, registered cash mail costs an additional ¥20 for the envelope and ¥560 for the service.

Your translation will be mailed to the address you wrote on the form in about one week.

Learn the rules of the road

The JAF publishes a driver's handbook called Rules of the Road (交通の教則 |kōtsū no kyōsoku) in several languages, including English. If you're interested in obtaining a copy, consult with the JAF. The Matsuyama Branch's phone number is 089-925-8668. This is probably unnecessary for most people.

Registration and interview

Now that you have your translation, you can go to the DLC to begin converting your foreign license. See Getting to the Driver's License Center.

Note: The Driver's License Center only handles foreign license conversions on Tuesday and Friday so you will probably have to take the day off.

  • If you are from one of the above exempt countries, they only deal with you between 9:00–9:30 am.
  • Everyone else can go between 9:00–11:00am. If you miss this window, you will only be allowed to register with the DLC, and you will have to come back another day to take the aptitude test.

Be sure to bring with you:

  • Your valid foreign license
  • Your IDP (if you have one)
  • Your passport
  • Your Foreigner Registration Card
  • The Japanese translation of your foreign license
  • A passport-style photograph taken within the last 6 months (hatless, facing front, approx. 3×2.4 cm)
    There are photo-taking machines at the DLC. One set costs ¥700
  • Money — Application fee (regular car): ¥2,400

Before you can take any tests, you must first register with the DLC. Go to window No. 8 and tell them you're there to convert your foreign license (外国免許切り替え|gaikoku menkyo kirikae). You will be referred to the person who deals with foreigners (in spring 2012 it was Mr. Kameoka (亀岡)). He will guide you from there, but in outline you must do the following:

  1. Get an application form (申請書 |shinseisho) (windows 1–6?) and fill it out (¥2,400 and photograph required)
  2. Take an interview to determine whether you are qualified for the conversion process.

The interview consists of fairly detailed questions about how long you have been driving, and the procedure for acquiring a license in your home country (or state, for Americans). You will be asked things like

  • How much practice/training were you required to take in order to get your license?
  • How much did you pay for your license?
  • How long/difficult were your tests?
  • Were your tests administered by uniformed police officers, or by plainclothes civilians?
  • Was your practice/testing held on real, public streets, or in a special course?

If you aren't confident discussing these things in Japanese, be sure to bring along someone to interpret for you.

Even if you speak perfect Japanese, you will still be allowed to take the knowledge test in any of the available languages.

Once the person in charge is satisfied that you meet the requirements, you move on to the aptitude test. If you're really lucky, you can do this on the same day.

Take the aptitude test

The aptitude test consists of four parts:

  1. Vision (depth) — For a normal car license, both eyes together must be 0.7 or better, with neither eye below 0.3. If you have one bad eye, the other must be 0.7 or better and have a field of view 150° wide or better.
  2. Hearing — You must be able to hear a 90db warning sound at a distance of 10m.
  3. Physical fitness — You must be physically capable of operating a car.
  4. Color recognition — You must be able to distinguish between red, green, and yellow.

In practice, only vision and color are actually tested.

If you are from one of the above exempt countries, once you pass the aptitude test you are done. Pay an issuance fee of ¥1,650, and you should get your license the same day.

Take the knowledge test

If you are not from one of the above exempt countries, next you take the knowledge test. The knowledge test is available in multiple languages including English.

The English version of the test is extremely easy. It consists of around 10 true-or-false questions, such as:

  • You can drive a car after having had a small amount of alcohol or medication, as long as your driving skills aren't impaired. (Answer: False. Japan has a zero-tolerance alcohol policy.)
  • If you are stopped at an intersection and the light is green, but the officer directing traffic in front of you is directing you to stop, you should follow the officer's directions. (Answer: True. An officer directing traffic takes precedence over a traffic light.)

Even if you have confidence in your Japanese ability, you are recommended not to take the Japanese knowledge test, as it is strictly timed with about 100 questions, and is apparently quite difficult.

Once you pass the knowledge test, you move on to practice for the skill test. You can begin now, or go home and get some rest.

Practice for the skill test

See Driving skill test strategies for detailed information on passing the skill test
See the discussion page for real stories from foreigners who have gotten their Japanese license

The skill test is conceptually simple: Follow a predetermined path through the driving course while obeying all traffic rules. The trick is that not only must you drive exactly the way they want, but you must also give vocal signals at predetermined times.

To learn the course and these signals, you will have to take the driving instruction offered at the Driver's License Center. Instruction sessions cost ¥400 for the instructor and ¥700 for the car, per 10 minutes. Sessions start at a minimum of 20 minutes. You can practice any time between open and close, on any day of the week that the DLC is open.

To receive instruction,

  1. Fill out a slip at one of the center islands with your name, address, and number of desired tickets (20 or 30 minutes' worth = 2 or 3 tickets is the usual)
  2. Take your card to one of the reception windows and pay
  3. Take your tickets to the person at the desk in the back

You will be given a Practice Record card (練習記録表|renshū kiroku hyō) to keep track of how many times you have practiced. How many practice sessions you require depends on how quickly you learn. Some people master the course in fewer than 10 sessions; some may require 20 or more.

When you pass the skill test, the DLC will take back and refund you for any unused tickets you might have.

Take the skill test

The skill test for foreign license holders is only available by reservation, on Tuesdays and Fridays. Registration for the test is between 8:30 and 9:00am; you must be on time, or you will not be allowed to take the test.

You will have to pay another ¥2,400 for your application to take the test, and you will also be charged ¥1,650 for use of the testing car. That's a total of ¥4,050 each time you take the test. Yes, if you fail you must pay again for your next attempt. Are you sure you're ready?

If you're confident, take the registration form you received after the knowledge test to the application desk and tell them you want to take the skill test. Fill out what they give you and talk to the administration desk to arrange a test reservation.

On the day of your test, you can take another practice session if you arrive early enough.

This is the last hoop you must jump through, but you may need to jump through it several times. Don't be surprised if you are failed repeatedly. 4 or 5 attempts is not uncommon for Ehime. See the discussion page for real stories from foreigners who have passed the test.

If you pass, you will have to pay an issuance fee of ¥1,650, then attend a short lecture and get your picture taken. Your license will be given to you that day.

See also

External links


Driver's License Guide
Overview Skill test Message board
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