This post introduces you to driving in Japan
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Do you really need a car?
Having said that…
Easy and Hard
Nationalities Exempt from Practical Test
★ The First Step – Translation ★
Getting There
Things you need to bring
Stage one: Complete
Let me start this post with a brief preamble.
Do you really need a car?
Japan has succeeded in being the best public transit country in the world. Fares are cheap for short distance, local getting-around. A car is a major cash drain and a real pain in the neck if you live in the city. Feel the freedom of earth-friendly travel with no maintenance or insurance costs.
Having said that…
The following times are exceptions that I will personally attest to
• Moving house (rental van for ¥8000~)
• Going to Ikea in a pool with friends
• Going by train to cool locations and then doing car-camping when you get there – ultra luxury onsen bathing combined with dirt-cheap and super clean campsites makes this the ultimate budget-busting holiday.
Since getting a license is a little time consuming and difficult, you could also turn it to financial advantage with your foreigner friends who haven’t got their license.
Easy and Hard
Sorry guys, there is a catch. What is your nationality? Japan gives an easy ride to those from 22 countries and 1 region.
If you are in the list of countries below you need only to get a translation and submit some documents
Nationalities Exempt from the Practical Test
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Holland
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
UK
If you are not in the list above you will have to take a practical test which you will likely fail a few times before you get your license (Americans fall in to this category, oh the irony)
The First Step – Translation
These license how-to posts are separated because for those in the easy category, there are still 2 separate trips to be made. The first thing you need to do is get a translation of your driving license. You cannot use your own translation or the Japanese bit at the back of an International Driving License Permit. Some embassies will provide a translation, but if finding out is a hassle, anyone can go to the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) centers in Tokyo and order one. It takes only about 20 minutes for most countries because they have a standard translation that they just fit your details in to.
NOTE: the JAF does not issue driver’s licenses. They only do translations.
Getting There
There are 2 main places to get your translation in Tokyo. I recommend the office near Hamamatsucho because I went to the other office and it is a long way from an obscure station via an infrequent bus.
For those dead-set on adventure, The JAF office near Nagayama is about 2km from the nearest station. Take a bus bound for Keio Tama Shako-Mae (京王多摩車庫前) or Tsurukawa Eki (鶴川駅) from bus stand No. 3 at the bus terminal in front of Nagayama station. After about a 10 minute ride, get off at Minami Uryuu (南雨竜（？）) bus stop. JAF is a 5 minute walk from the bus stop.
Things you need to bring
• An application form which you can download in PDF form here
• Your driver’s license (or a clear color copy may also be accepted). (I managed to get a translation without my paper counterpart… but you will need your counterpart anyway for the next trip to the licensing authority)
• A photocopy of your alien registration card if your license is written in Arabic or Russian, or if you are from S. Korea, Thailand, or Myanmar. (Might be best to take it anyway though!)
• ¥3000 fee
The final shabang or Stage One: Complete
Now you should have your translation! This is the first thing you need on your mission. Proceed to the next step. Tokyo How To’s #28: Transferring your driver’s license Part 2.
Conclusion: a driver’s license will benefit you in a few select situations in Japan. If your nationality is one of those exempt from the practical test, the procedures are straightforward. If not, consider whether you need a license in the best public transit enabled country in the world.
