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Top > <>English Guide > Driving in Japan
Driving in Japan 日本で車を運転する場合In order to drive in Japan, you need either an international driving license or a Japanese driving license. Please be aware that you should drive on the LEFT side of the road. The use of seat belts for driver and passenger seats are mandatory. The legal blood alcohol limit in Japan is ZERO. Drunk driving is strictly prohibited and will result in severe punishment, including license suspension and possible deportation. INTERNATIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE International licenses are valid for one year from the date of your arrival in Japan. If you intend to drive in Japan after this date, you will need to obtain a Japanese driver's license. As international licenses cannot be issued or re-issued in Japan, you will need to get one before coming to Japan, and you will need to go home to have it re-issued. You may not have more than one international license during your stay in Japan, so once the first one expires, you will need to get a Japanese license. GETTING A LICENSE There are two ways to get a license in Japan: a) Conversion of your home country license into a Japanese license, or b) Obtaining a Japanese license. a) CONVERSION FROM YOUR HOME LICENSE This allows you to obtain a Japanese license and drive the same kind of vehicles that you are permitted to drive in you own home country. This is only valid for some countries and you will need to check whether you can convert or not. The legislation for converting licenses has recently changed and the rules, regulations and costs of conversion are different for each country. APPLICATION The conversion procedure takes about half a day, and is conducted entirely in Japanese, so if you are unsure of your Japanese ability, bring a Japanese speaking friend with you. You will need to take with you the following items: 1. Your driving license from your own country, as well as proof that you have been driving for three months or longer in your country, both translated into Japanese. 2. Alien registration card 3. Passport 4. One passport size (3cm by 2.4cm) photograph, taken within the last six months 5. Your seal, and 6. Money to cover the cost of conversion, which will depend upon your country of origin. Generally speaking, Japanese driving licences are valid for three years. Note : You need to have your license translated by your country's licensing authority at your consulate or in the case that you need to have it done in Kagoshima, at the Japanese Automobile Foundation (262-0500 during normal office hours) where it will cost 3000 yen. ENQUIRIES Prefecture Licensing Department 3937 Higashi Mochida, Aira-cho near Chosa JR Station 0995-65-2295 b) OBTAINING A JAPANESE LICENSE To obtain a Japanese license, you will have to enroll in a driving school. Driving lessons will, on the whole, be conducted entirely in Japanese, and tuition fees tend to be very expensive. Note: The test itself involves passing a written and practical test, both of which are conducted in Japanese. TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS If you are involved in a traffic accident, you should call the police immedia電話y, as well as an ambulance if anyone is injured. As in your home country, you should take down: 1. the registration number, 2. the driver's license number, and 3. the other driver's details (name, age, address and 電話ephone number). POLICE 110 AMBULANCE 119 MUTUAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INSURANCE (Kotsu Saigai Kyosai) This insurance is available to any foreigner who has completed alien registration procedures. The insurance fee is small and comple電話y worthwhile if you happen to have an accident. For enquiries call the Traffic and Road Safety Division at Kagoshima City Hall. Traffic and Road Safety Division Kagoshima City Hall 11-1 Yamashita-cho 216-1209 The Traffic and Road Safety Division also provides a free counselling and advice service about traffic accidents from 9:00am to 3:45pm, Monday to Friday. Note : There is no English language service, so bring a Japanese speaking friend if you are not confident of your Japanese speaking ability. JAPANESE AUTOMOBILE FEDERATION (JAF) JAF membership is a must for anyone with a car. You can call them at any hour of the day if you happen to have a flat battery, a puncture, or have locked your keys in the car. The registration fee is 2000 yen and one year's fees are 4000 yen. In addition, they offer services such as translation of drivers' licences obtained overseas, and the sale of Traffic rules and regulations guidebooks. For further information, contact the Japan Automobile Federation 2-12 Shinei-cho Kagoshima City 890-0072 250-4040 (24 hour road assistance) 284-0007 (Membership registration , translation service etc.) |
Kagoshima-city
11-1 Yamashita-cho Kagoshima-city 892-8677TEL 099-224-1111
