Drivers’ License Conversion: Prepare NOW!

[DjinnWired]

While you’re all sitting beside the phone waiting for the magical call, here’s something productive you can do. If you come from a country with a license agreement (Aussies, Kiwis, Canadians etc) it is theoretically easy to convert your license into a Japanese license. I’ve been in Japan for coming up to three years (this time around) but only recently decided to convert my license. It’s turning into a much more epic mission than I could have imagined, because I don’t have some paperwork that I could have easily brought with me had I only known. Learn from my pain, young ones.
1. Proof that you were in your country for a total of three months after getting your license. “No problem,” you may be thinking, “I have my passport.” Wrong. If you come from a country that uses microchips in passports (which I assume is everywhere apart from Japan), your passport isn’t considered enough proof. The nice gentleman at the driving center suggested bank statements. These have to be originals, no printing out electronic statements. Much to my surprise I managed to find some… but they were no good either, because instead of counting the start to end date of the statements he counted only the days when I had made a transaction. So three months of statements wasn’t proof of three months. Because, you know, I pop overseas between ATM visits. He suggested academic records but I graduated before getting my license. I’m still trying to figure out to fix this one.
2. An issue date for your license. In my state the license only shows an expiry date, not an issue date. I read that this was a problem before coming to Japan so I got a document from the transport department certifying the issue date. This was not acceptable proof because, wait for it… I didn’t have the original envelope it came in. So it could have been a fake. Like I couldn’t just fake an envelope if I were into forgery.
So, even if you aren’t planning to drive, get these documents together before you leave. You might change your mind, and it’s damn near impossible to sort out later on.

[BradaPeace]

While you’re all sitting beside the phone waiting for the magical call, here’s something productive you can do. If you come from a country with a license agreement (Aussies, Kiwis, Canadians etc) it is theoretically easy to convert your license into a Japanese license. I’ve been in Japan for coming up to three years (this time around) but only recently decided to convert my license. It’s turning into a much more epic mission than I could have imagined, because I don’t have some paperwork that I could have easily brought with me had I only known. Learn from my pain, young ones.
1. Proof that you were in your country for a total of three months after getting your license. “No problem,” you may be thinking, “I have my passport.” Wrong. If you come from a country that uses microchips in passports (which I assume is everywhere apart from Japan), your passport isn’t considered enough proof. The nice gentleman at the driving center suggested bank statements. These have to be originals, no printing out electronic statements. Much to my surprise I managed to find some… but they were no good either, because instead of counting the start to end date of the statements he counted only the days when I had made a transaction. So three months of statements wasn’t proof of three months. Because, you know, I pop overseas between ATM visits. He suggested academic records but I graduated before getting my license. I’m still trying to figure out to fix this one.
2. An issue date for your license. In my state the license only shows an expiry date, not an issue date. I read that this was a problem before coming to Japan so I got a document from the transport department certifying the issue date. This was not acceptable proof because, wait for it… I didn’t have the original envelope it came in. So it could have been a fake. Like I couldn’t just fake an envelope if I were into forgery.
So, even if you aren’t planning to drive, get these documents together before you leave. You might change your mind, and it’s damn near impossible to sort out later on.

Thanks for the advice DjinnW, i was planning to drive (while in Japan) if i'm selected for 2012, though i noticed on my drivers license that it expires in May this year, so i was planning to apply for International driver's Permit before renewing it.

Thanks for the info though, much appreciated.

[Siyris]

If your international driving permits are at all like the US ones (I imagine they probably are, being international and all) they probably require a VALID drivers license from your home country along with the permit in order for the permit to be valid. Make sure you know the details before you plan on coming...

[ume no hana]

If your international driving permits are at all like the US ones (I imagine they probably are, being international and all) they probably require a VALID drivers license from your home country along with the permit in order for the permit to be valid. Make sure you know the details before you plan on coming...

So, are you saying that after driving on the IDP for a year when you go to get a Japanese license they ask you how long you've had your Driver's license in the usa??

[AVN]

If your international driving permits are at all like the US ones (I imagine they probably are, being international and all) they probably require a VALID drivers license from your home country along with the permit in order for the permit to be valid. Make sure you know the details before you plan on coming...

So, are you saying that after driving on the IDP for a year when you go to get a Japanese license they ask you how long you've had your Driver's license in the usa??

This is more important for non-US citizens as we can just transfer our licenses with no testing.
Yes, they require that information. They want to make sure that your license back home matches up with their requirements for a Japanese license.
They are EXTREMELY picky.
Bring as much information with you as you can.

[bittersweet]

While you’re all sitting beside the phone waiting for the magical call, here’s something productive you can do. If you come from a country with a license agreement (Aussies, Kiwis, Canadians etc) it is theoretically easy to convert your license into a Japanese license. I’ve been in Japan for coming up to three years (this time around) but only recently decided to convert my license. It’s turning into a much more epic mission than I could have imagined, because I don’t have some paperwork that I could have easily brought with me had I only known. Learn from my pain, young ones.
1. Proof that you were in your country for a total of three months after getting your license. “No problem,” you may be thinking, “I have my passport.” Wrong. If you come from a country that uses microchips in passports (which I assume is everywhere apart from Japan), your passport isn’t considered enough proof. The nice gentleman at the driving center suggested bank statements. These have to be originals, no printing out electronic statements. Much to my surprise I managed to find some… but they were no good either, because instead of counting the start to end date of the statements he counted only the days when I had made a transaction. So three months of statements wasn’t proof of three months. Because, you know, I pop overseas between ATM visits. He suggested academic records but I graduated before getting my license. I’m still trying to figure out to fix this one.
2. An issue date for your license. In my state the license only shows an expiry date, not an issue date. I read that this was a problem before coming to Japan so I got a document from the transport department certifying the issue date. This was not acceptable proof because, wait for it… I didn’t have the original envelope it came in. So it could have been a fake. Like I couldn’t just fake an envelope if I were into forgery.
So, even if you aren’t planning to drive, get these documents together before you leave. You might change your mind, and it’s damn near impossible to sort out later on.

Thanks for the advice DjinnW, i was planning to drive (while in Japan) if i'm selected for 2012, though i noticed on my drivers license that it expires in May this year, so i was planning to apply for International driver's Permit before renewing it.

Thanks for the info though, much appreciated.

Make sure you don't write the current date on the IDP, otherwise it will expire before a year is up in Japan (make it match your entry stamp)

[maulen]

If your international driving permits are at all like the US ones (I imagine they probably are, being international and all) they probably require a VALID drivers license from your home country along with the permit in order for the permit to be valid. Make sure you know the details before you plan on coming...

So, are you saying that after driving on the IDP for a year when you go to get a Japanese license they ask you how long you've had your Driver's license in the usa??

This is more important for non-US citizens as we can just transfer our licenses with no testing.
Yes, they require that information. They want to make sure that your license back home matches up with their requirements for a Japanese license.
They are EXTREMELY picky.
Bring as much information with you as you can.

Americans cannot transfer licenses without testing. I believe Canadians can, but not Americans.

I would highly recommend you researching the details...as AVNichols said, they can be sticklers for the details.

As an American citizen, you can get an International Driver's Permit (IDP) that is valid for one year in Japan. After one year, you must get a Japanese driver's license. To get that license your American license must still be valid. Also, I forget the exact wording, but you need to have been present in the US for at least 90 days after getting your license. They just looked at my passport and, judging by the date on the stamps, ok'd it.

If the license itself doesn't explicitly state the issue date, you will need some supporting documentation. I renewed my license about two and a half months before coming and my license doesn't list the original issue date so they required more documentation. Luckily, I went to the DMV in the US before coming and got a copy of my driving record which listed the original issue date. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.


I agree with the OP, wholeheartedly...no matter how you feel about the interviews, if you happen to be selected for JET you'll do yourself a huge favor by taking care of some paperwork now while you have the time. Take advantage of it.

[traviisty]

I found this link to the U.S. embassy that provides information about getting your international license if your from the states...

http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-drive.html

Hope this helps!

[Jadeity]

This is good information to ponder. I have vision problems in one eye that made it a hassle to get my license renewed here in the US. I'm worried what I'll need to do to account for that in Japan. I'll check out all the information everyone has linked... even though I am still fairly skeptical about my interview performance. XD;

I don't suppose anyone knows what your vision needs to be to drive easily in Japan? As long as I have both eyes open, I'm very nearly blind in my right eye ._.; The other eye is 20/20, but here in the US they still hassle me about it even with optometrists giving me the a-okay for driving safely.

[word]

Is your vision clear when you're wearing glasses?

There will be a vision test when you convert your license. You can drive on the IDP for a year, probably without problems, but you will be tested when you apply for your Japanese license.

[Jadeity]

Only in my good eye (20/20 amazing vision even without glasses in that one). If I close the good eye I can see out of the bad one fairly well (I can read things that are larger and see cars coming at me and such), but if the good one is open it's going to be all I see out of aside from a bit of peripheral movement from my bad eye. I'll have to research their vision requirements if I need to drive, it seems.

[word]

You may be able to sneak through the Japanese vision test, in that case.

It works like this: you put your eyes up to a special machine (just like many DMV tests in the 'States) and you'll see a series of black circles. Each circle has a small triangular chunk missing, from the top, bottom, right, or left side. You take the test by saying (in Japanese, although they probably understand the English equivalents) "Up," "Down," "Right," or "Left." I think they first test both eyes, then each eye, but you could probably just close your bad eye during the both-eye part and pass.

[Guiteau]

Each circle has a small triangular chunk missing, from the top, bottom, right, or left side. You take the test by saying (in Japanese, although they probably understand the English equivalents) "Up," "Down," "Right," or "Left."

In addition, some prefectures (like mine) also test your ability to see color with a red, yellow, and green light for which you say in Japanese "red," "yellow," or "blue" respectively.

[duelingmonkey]

I feel this is relevant here, if a little bit off topic...if you can get a provision that allows you to drive a moped on your home drivers license, that will allow you to drive a moped/small bike here in Japan. As far as I know, the only place these bikes can't go are the expressways, so if your license allows you to drive a moped, you can save on transportation costs

[GriffN]

Thanks for posting this info. Reminded me I need to get my license renewed and get those documents together.

I know some ALTs who had nightmarish experiences with their DMVs in Japan. The Japanese driving test is not at all like an American driving test. (I'm sure this can differ place to place but...) For example, there was an exact procedure for turning on the car. Something like: get in, shut door, put on seatbelt, adjust seat, jiggle shifter, adjust mirrors, turn on car. If you did anything out of order, or if you skipped mock-adjusting your seat, you'd fail.

So getting this stuff prepared well ahead of time can save some compounded headaches.