Green Hybrid Cars

If you are planning to stay in Japan for more than one year and you expect to be driving at any time after your first year, you should get a Japanese driver’s license. The international driver’s license is only valid for one year. The process for converting your international driver’s license into a Japanese license is called Gaimen Kirikae.

You can fast track your application for the domestic license if you come from one of the countries where Japan has an existing agreement. This agreement allows a foreigner to forego the exam. All you will need to do instead is take a visual eye test, show proof you come from any of the countries that has an agreement, and you will be issued the local driver’s license. These countries are Austria. Korea, New Zealand, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, France, Iceland, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Iceland, Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Spain. 

If you come from a country without the agreement like the US, you have certain requirements to fulfill. These are:

• Written exam in English
• Practical exam in Japanese
• Eye test
• Proof of residence and Passport

You will need to specify the kind of car and engine you will be driving. There are separate licenses for a motorcycle, truck, automatic, and manual car. If you have two or more, each one should have its own driving license.

If you cannot prove residency requirement, you will have to settle for a beginner’s license which is similar to student’s license. The cost for converting to a Japanese driver’s license I rather expensive. The tests will cost about 2400 Yen for the written test and then another 1,750 yen for the license itself. If you are applying for a motorcycle driver’s license, you pay even more at 3300 Yen for the test alone.

Finally, it’s advisable to apply for membership to the Japan Automobile Federation or JAF which includes benefits such as but not limited to 24 hour emergency road services.