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Converting foreign drivers license to local

nedar

nedar

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I'm thinking about converting my driver's license to a Japanese one. Unfortunately, my home country license is not one of those that can convert just by filling out some papers. I need to take the written and practical tests under the Japanese system (which is ridiculous, Home country drives on the same side as Japan). About the only thing I can skip is the driving classes.

Has anyone done those tests for conversion ? Would really like to know what the tests are like and all the admin crap required before I fork over the 45,000¥ fee. I can think of so many more enjoyable uses for that money.
 
It's worth taking a few lessons to learn all the bullshit reasons that the tester can fail you for. If it's the same as it used to be, you'll need to give a performance to demonstrate your awareness of their pet peeves.
45k is a lot but prolly better than the potential consequences of having an accident while using an international license for more than a year.
 
nedar said:
I'm thinking about converting my driver's license to a Japanese one. Unfortunately, my home country license is not one of those that can convert just by filling out some papers. I need to take the written and practical tests under the Japanese system (which is ridiculous, Home country drives on the same side as Japan). About the only thing I can skip is the driving classes.

Has anyone done those tests for conversion ? Would really like to know what the tests are like and all the admin crap required before I fork over the 45,000¥ fee. I can think of so many more enjoyable uses for that money.
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I was about to do that with my childhood friend last summer but the rendez vous given was too far and I had to cancel. My friend did it and he succeeded (he failed once before). it wasn't 45k¥, it was a lot less.
the written test is easy but the driving test is tricky. first you need to translate your home country's driver licence at your embassy, you need that to register. it's advised that you take the simulation driving to learn the hidden rules.

I think it's worth it even if you don't need that much to drive in Tokyo, but it's up to you.
 
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Take the course - they'll teach you what you need to know to pass it on the first try. Well worth it to not have to go back 2-3 times.
 
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nedar said:
I'm thinking about converting my driver's license to a Japanese one. Unfortunately, my home country license is not one of those that can convert just by filling out some papers. I need to take the written and practical tests under the Japanese system (which is ridiculous, Home country drives on the same side as Japan). About the only thing I can skip is the driving classes.

Has anyone done those tests for conversion ? Would really like to know what the tests are like and all the admin crap required before I fork over the 45,000¥ fee. I can think of so many more enjoyable uses for that money.
Click to expand...

While your here asking for guidance, what is your home country?
 
I did this recently
- I took a few practice lessons & passed. 4 hours total.
- Make sure your passport has 90 days outside of Japan on it. This is to prove you drove for 90 days before living in Japan.
- Make sure you have old drivers license
- Make sure your non Japanese drivers license is still valid
- Have your drivers license with a date that aligns with the 90 days outside of Japan
- The written test is really easy & common sense the same day you do this they initially check if you can transfer you license.
- The driver test can take up to a month to schedule.
 
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Since it was asked, I'm from Singapore. Which means I'm used to testers docking you points just because I didn't turn my head more than 45degrees to check the wing mirror *grumble*. The 45K fee includes the practice lessons and practice tests.

I don't drive as part of my commute, but I agree that a license is handy to have.

Thanks for everyone who shared their experience
 
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Desktop said:
I did this recently
- I took a few practice lessons & passed. 4 hours total.
- Make sure your passport has 90 days outside of Japan on it. This is to prove you drove for 90 days before living in Japan.
- Make sure you have old drivers license
- Make sure your non Japanese drivers license is still valid
- Have your drivers license with a date that aligns with the 90 days outside of Japan
- The written test is really easy & common sense the same day you do this they initially check if you can transfer you license.
- The driver test can take up to a month to schedule.
Click to expand...

This mirrors my experience. I did bring my previous 2 licenses plus the current foreign one with translation to show continuity of driving outside of Japan. I made the mistake of not converting my license when I first got here, which added a little extra time to explain. However, having the old licenses helped a lot.

I didn't take the practice lessons, passed on the 3rd attempt. The whole driving on the left thing was my main issue. The first two fails were obvious mistakes... but since you can ride in the car with the test taker before you, it helps to see what to expect and what to watch out for.

My 'written' test was actually a 1980's era computer with about 10 basic A-B-C driving questions.
 
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Make sure you have your driving licence issue date more than 90days from your entry date. If you just renew your licence bring copy of old ones. They are very kibisi on this.
Get your licence translated to Japanese, which can be done at JAF for 3000yen.
Took me 3 attempts to pass, and I did take practice lessons 2x. They will just fail you for non-logical issue. It is not about your driving skills, it's more of how you follow everything to the dot, Japanese way. Written test is easy to pass.
Another point is if you need to retake the test, and if you are in the city with many foreigner/people, reschedule make take times.
Mine was in small city so did my 3 tests within a week, though I need to drive 2hrs to the menkyou center.

IMO 45K is kind of expensive? A 45min driving practing cost ave. 6000yen. The cost for test alone is no more than 10K if you pass 1st time.

Something to read on Getting Japanese Licence.
http://www.supermelf.com/japan/ajetdrivingbook/DrivinginJapanandPassingtheDriversTest.pdf
http://www.survivingnjapan.com/2010/10/how-to-get-drivers-license-in-japan.html
 
TAG Manager said:
I didn't take the practice lessons, passed on the 3rd attempt.
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This is starting to sound very familiar. Took me 4 attempts to get my license back home, 2 fails were from testers' peeves.

gulagz said:
Something to read on Getting Japanese Licence.
Click to expand...
Thanks for these, hopefully things have improved since then (? optimistic bordering on delusional, I know)
 
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I didn't bother with any "practice lessons". I took the test twice. When I failed the first time the instructor told me what I had done wrong.

1) Signaled to turn too late. 2) Made my left hand turns too wide.

I kept this in mind my second time in and I passed easily.

This is pretty much everything you need to know in order to pass the practical exam.
http://www.supermelf.com/japan/ajetdrivingbook/chap5.html

The crank and s-curve are not so hard as long as you take the box slowly.

You don't need to go anywhere special to translate your license, you can do it all with Google Translate, but JAF's price is reasonable.
 
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gulagz said:
IMO 45K is kind of expensive? A 45min driving practing cost ave. 6000yen. The cost for test alone is no more than 10K if you pass 1st time.
l
Click to expand...

And costs less the next time you take the test because part of that ¥10,000 is for something you only have to pay once for.
 
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