This post is for those who have already got their translation. See my introduction in Part 1, here
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Things to Bring
Easy and Hard
Nationalities Exempt from Practical Test
If you are American or other non-exempt country
Getting to the Licensing Authority
Things to Bring
You have your translation!
If not see Part 1, here 
You have your driving license
including counter-part for those that have one
Your Passport
(says to have ALL the passports since you got your license, but not sure how strict that is)
Your Alien Registration Card
(which says you are legally in the country and you live in the area)
A Passport Photograph
3cm x 2.4cm
Something that proves you were in the country you obtained your license from (not Japan) for more than 90 days
(in my case my degree certificate proving I was in the country, at school)
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 should be able to get your license transferred by submitting the documents above
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)
If you are American or other non-exempt country
Oh bad luck to you. The process for getting a driver’s license with a test involved is much more money and time. I suggest you seriously evaluate your need for a car in this, the most heavenly of all public transport-ified countries in the world, as a hint to learn about sustainable transport. Please take what you learn back to America and reduce your country’s environmentally reckless dependence on cars……. If you are really determined to get your license however *groan*, this guy gives you a pretty in-depth run down of the practical test: Pass the driving test in Japan.
Getting to the Licensing Authority
As I mentioned in Part 1:
The place where you get your translation and where you get your license are different places!.
Again, there are 2 to choose from. Both in completely stupid locations. Seriously, who thought it was a good idea to put the offices for people applying, but not yet having driving licenses in locations that are *really* difficult to get to using public transport…. what bastards.
Samezu
The least stupid of the 2 in terms of location is Samezu. This is located an 8 minute walk from Samezu station which you can reach by changing at Shingawa on to the 京浜急行 (Keihin Kyuko) Line.
The address is: 品川区東大井1-12-5 (1-12-5 Higashi-oi, Shingawa-ku).
Phone: 03-3474-1374
Opening times: Weekdays, 8:00~11:00, 13:00~15:00
Fuchu
The complete *mission*, is Fuchu driving license, located no where near Fuchu. Take your pick from the following 4 stations from which to get a bus from:
JR Musashi-Koganei: Take the Keio bus headed for Tamacho or Chofu Station.
JR Mitaka: Take the Odakyu bus for Musashi-Koganei
Keio Chofu: Take Keio bus for Musashi Koganei
Keio Tama Reien: Take Keio bus for Musashi Koganei
The address is: 府中市多磨町3-1-1 (3-1-1 Tamacho, Fuchu-city).
Phone: 042-362-3591
Opening times: Weekdays, 8:00~11:00, 13:00~15:00
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.
