Author:Author unknown, Issue: October 2002, Topic: Cars

Until recently, the laws about foreign drivers licenses were quite slack. You could drive with a foreign license accompanied by an international drivers permit (IDP) from a sanctioned country for one year. Then, as long as you left the country for a while, you could renew your international permit and keep on driving.

However, as of June 1, 2002, things have gotten considerably more strict. The basic rule now is that you can only use an international drivers permit for ONE YEAR after your arrival in Japan, or whenever your IDP expires, whichever is SHORTER. This means that if you arrived on October 1, 2002, but you got your IDP on September 15, your legal permission to drive in Japan will expire on September 14, 2003.

If you then leave Japan for AT LEAST THREE MONTHS, you can get another IDP and start your year all over again. If you stay in Japan after that one year, however, you have no option but to get a Japanese Drivers License.

Residents from GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, and FRANCE do not need an IDP, but can drive for one year in Japan on their home country's drivers license provided the driver also has a Japanese translation of the original. After one year, residents of those countries must get a Japanese license unless they leave for a period of three months.

Residents from AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, GREAT BRITAIN, and IRELAND (North and South) must get the Japanese license after one year, but are exempt from taking the practical driving test and need only produce the relevant documentation and pay the fees.

Residents from other countries must take the full driving test. (Ed's note: Since this article was written, a few new countries have been added to the exemption list. Here is the list to the best of our knowledge: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom.) Also, people from countries who do not have a bilateral agreement with Japan on the International Driving Permit issue will need to get a license right away, and may not use the IDP at all.

Translations of your license are available through the Japan Automobile Federation (http://www.jaf.or.jp) or through your country's embassy. JAF charges 3000 yen, plus 290 yen for postage. Translations from other companies will not be accepted.

Information on how to obtain a Japanese drivers license can be obtained from JAF website and also, (soon) from the National Police Agency's website (http://www.npa.go.jp). Back issues of Alien Times, once they have been uploaded (any volunteers to help - contact us), may also provide some insight.

Fines for driving without a proper license are extremely high. Furthermore, driving without a proper license often negates insurance coverage, so it is in your best interest to know and understand these new laws.

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