Before coming to Japan, I got an IDP or an international driving permit which allowed me to drive in Japan with my American license in hand. HOWEVER, that fairy tale only lasts for a year, so here we are.
Let me tell you about this crazy long process for getting your license transferred…at least as an American.
Step 1: Gathering the Materials
So, first you have to gather a few materials before you can do anything. Those include things that you should already have on you (your IDP, passport, zairyuu card, foreign license, and possibly your hanko).
You also have to get a few things, including a proof of address(juuminhyou), a translation of your licence from JAF, and 2 license sized photos. This is only the beginning of the long process…
The proof of address will cost about ￥300. When it comes to the photos, you can get them for around ￥800 at a photo booth specifically made for this. Just make sure to choose the 免許 option. And as for JAF, sometimes you have to print out the form from the website and take it in with you, but my branch provided the form. All I had to do was fill it out. When filling out this form, take note how long you’ve held the current issue of your license. I had driven for less than a year in America on my most recent issue, so now I have to use a new drivers magnet. It’s not a big deal, but it’s a bit annoying to have to use it for a year.
JAF license registrations cost about ￥3000 and take 1 day to 2 weeks to process depending on your branch.
Which reminds me! There is a LOT of waiting in between steps in this process…
Step 2: The Interview
Now you have all of the things you need! Great. Go schedule an interview. While you can technically make the appointment before getting the other things (so long as you’re not TOO honest that you’re still waiting for certain documents), it’s best to just have everything handy so that you don’t have to worry about not getting some paperwork in time and having to reschedule your interview. Depending on how busy your branch is and how busy your work schedule is, the interview could be another week or two out.
So, at this point we’re anywhere from 2 days to 4 weeks into the process…
For the interview, they ask you things about your driving record, licensing processes in your home country (or state), the age at which you got your license, and so on. All of this is in Japanese, so if your level isn’t that high, it’s best to take someone to translate. While I put myself at a level N3, and was able to do the interview by myself with no issues. However, I feel that I am much better at the conversation side of Japanese than the written side. Depending on where your strength lies, you may be capable of doing it without help! Otherwise, I was told to ask a PA.
I was probably more nervous for the interview before I went in than I should have been. In the end I just had a pleasant chat with a police officer about my driving record while filling the time with chats about other things…like stereotypes of the surrounding prefectures and such. Which brings me to mention that my interview was a one-on-one interview with a police officer at the station. Again, having an interpreter with you wouldn’t be a bad idea. He speaks some basic English, but you’re expected to be the one providing the translation. If you can’t complete the interview due to language barriers, you may have to reschedule it and do it again.
After the interview ends, you wait for a phone call to set the date of the written and practical exam. In my prefecture, those things are done in one day, and getting your license is a whole day affair. But look at that, more waiting! What’d I tell you? This time you have to wait about a week to hear back, which means you can take your test 1-2 weeks after the interview (unless your center is far too busy).
Use the following charts to figure out when you can take your test (if the date is available) for those of you who live in Kochi.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
| Morning | Written Test (regular car) | Written Test (large specialized) | Written Test (regular car) | Written Test (semi-medium) | Written Test (regular car, motorcycle) |
| Afternoon | Driving Test (regular car) | Driving Test (large specialized, towing) | Driving Test (regular car) | Driving Test (semi-medium, medium, large) | Driving Test (regular car, motorcycle) |
And this one for estimated costs (at least in Kochi, though it should help to guess the costs in other prefectures as well).
| License Type | Test Fee | Course Fee | Total |
| Regular car | 2,550円 | 800円 | 3,350円 |
| Motorcycle, Large specialized, Towing | 2,600円 | 1,450円 | 4,050円 |
| Large, medium, semi-medium | 4,100円 | 2,500円 | 6,600円 |
| Scooter (less than 50cc) | 1,500円 | 1,500円 |
Step 3: Driving Lessons (OPTIONAL)
When I say optional, I don’t really mean optional. In my opinion, you should take at least a 1 hour driving lesson at a driving school near the licencing center. They can give you a lot of great tips on how to pass the exam, and tell you places to be careful of. Then again, it’s technically cheaper to fail once and retake the exam then it is to take a lesson.
I took a lesson and got a lot of valuable input and advice on how to pass the exam.
Step 4: The Test
Okay, we’re now 9 days to 6 weeks into this licencing process. If you’re a 9-dayer, I’m super impressed! I’m a 4-weeker.
So, now it’s time to take your first attempt at your driving test!
It’s a whole day affair, so you should get there as the license center opens, and you’ll go home at around 3 or 4 in the afternoon.
In the morning you’ll take your written exam. If you fail the written exam then your journey ends here until you reschedule. The test is 10 questions, and you only need to answer 7 to pass, so it shouldn’t be too hard. Most people just study the road signs as the rest of it is usually common sense based.
However, there are some specific points which are different from many of our home countries. If you want to take a practice exam, follow this link.
After you pass the written exam, you take the practical exam that afternoon. At 11:30, you gather in a classroom where they roll a pencil which has A, B, and C written on the sides. whichever side it lands on is the course you’ll be tested on. They say that some courses are easier than others and that, to some extent, passing the exam could come down to the luck of the draw.
I did test B! Each course has slightly different obstacles, such as railroad crossings, high walls, the crank turn, and the S curve. Though, the crank and the S curve exist on every course, just at different times and in different orders.
The biggest surprise to many foreigners is that you are graded on how you enter and exit the car, as well. You must check under the front and the back of the car before getting in, and check for traffic appropriately as you approach the drivers door, and as you open it.
Another big shock for us is that you have to memorize the course which you’ll drive… Here’s an example of one of the courses. This is the actual map and one of the three options of courses at my specific driving center.
Once you finish the test, the proctor will tell you what you did wrong. They won’t tell you if you passed at this time. There’s more waiting and you have to wonder if you’ve actually succeeded or not the whole time.
Results
So, after you wait for another hour (or maybe less depending on how busy the center is) you will learn if you passed the test or not. If you passed, you will go get your picture taken and receive your license! You also have to pay the fees for the test.
If you didn’t pass, better luck next time. You’ll schedule another driving test date at this time. You won’t have to take the written exam this time, so you can come at 11:30 instead of 8:30.
Online Resources:
- National AJET Driving Test Guide
- Kochi Driving Guide with Included Course Maps
- JAF – Japanese Translation of a Foreign License
- Written Exam – Rules of the Road Book
I was lucky enough to pass the test my first try! But it’s very very rare, and depends a lot on not only how prepared you are but also (1) how picky your driving proctor is (2) how difficult of a course you end up having to do and (3) how well you’ve memorized the course. Just being able to drive isn’t enough to get your license! Keep that in mind and prepare well.
Anyway, I’m one happy camper now that I have my license!
Until next time!! xx
Jessica's English Corner 