Driving
To drive a car or motorcycle in Japan, one of the following is required.
- Japanese driver's license
- International driving permit
- Foreign driver's license (Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan) and its Japanese translation
[International driving permit]
You can drive in Japan using an international driving permit issued by countries or regions that have signed the Geneva Convention with Japan.
The maximum period you can drive with an international driving permit is one year.
Metropolitan Police Department: List of the contracting states of the Convention at Geneva 1949 (Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean)
[Foreign driver's license]
Those who have a Swiss, German, French, Belgian, Monaco, or Taiwanese driver's license together with the official Japanese translation can drive in Japan for one year.
The official Japanese translation of your driver's license is prepared at the Japanese embassy or consulate.
You can also obtain it at the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF).
JAF: Online Application for Japanese Translation (Japanese and English)
[Transferring foreign driver's license to Japanese driver's license]
If you have a foreign driver's license, you can transfer it to a Japanese driver's license at the driver's license examination center.
The followings are required for this procedure:
- Have a valid foreign driver's license.
- You must have been in that country for more than 3 months from the date you obtained the license.
How many tests you must take is varies depends on which country you have a driver's license for.
Inquire the driver's license examination center for more detail.
Metropolitan Police Department: How to convert a foreign license into a Japanese one (Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean)
[New Japanese driver's license]
To obtain a new Japanese driver's license, you will take the following tests at the driver's license examination center:
- Aptitude test: eye, ear, etc.
- Written test: traffic rules test
- Skill test: driving skill test
Many people go to "driving school" before the exam.
A driving school is a school where you learn how to drive a car or motorcycle.
Those who have graduated from a driving school do not need to take a skill test at the driver's license examination center.
[Renewal of driver's license]
A driver's license must be renewed every 3 to 5 years.
The expiration date of your driver’s license is written on your license.
A "Notice of Renewal" postcard will be sent to the address on your driver's license prior to this date,
Go to the driver's license examination center, driver's license renewal center, or police station written on the postcard to renew your license.
Everything you need for the procedure is written on the postcard.
[Integration of My Number Card and Driver's License]
You can integrate your My Number Card and driver's license into a single card.
By recording your driver's license information on your My Number Card, you can use it as a "Myna Driver’s License."
About Integrating My Number Card and Driver's License - Metropolitan Police Department (Japanese)
When you convert to a "Myna Driver's License," you can:
- Take driver's license renewal lectures online.
- Simplify procedures such as address changes.
Traffic rules
On Japanese roads, cars and motorcycles drive on the left side.
Obey the following rules to drive:
- Drive slowly near pedestrians and bicyclists.
Stop your car and let pedestrians pass first at crosswalks without traffic lights.
- Both of driver and passengers must wear seat belts.
Use child seats for small children.
- Do not use your mobile phone (smartphone) while driving.
Do not make phone calls, look at the screen, or operate.
- Do not lend a car or motorcycle to someone who has drunk alcohol or ask them to drive.
Those who do not follow this rule will be severely punished.
Electric kickboard
"Electric kickboards" is a new popular riding. It is considered as one kind of vehicle.
Obey the rules and enjoy your ride safely.
