Driving

Driving in Japan

Only foreign nationals who hold the following types of licenses can drive a car in Japan.

o International driving licenses

International driving licenses that are issued in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.

Period of validity
The licence can be used:
1. until the driving licence's expiration date;
2. for one year from the day of arrival to Japan.

(Attention)
If you leave Japan with a re-entry permit and re-enter the country with a new international driving license, you must stay out of the country for more than 3 months for the license the be usable. If you re-enter the country in less than 3 month, it will not be counted as a new entry. In that case, your international licence becomes invalid even if the term of one year has not passed.

o Driving licenses issued in Germany, France or Swiss

Period of validity
The licence can be used:
1. until the driving licence's expiration date;
2. for one year from the day of arrival to Japan.

(Attention)
You must have a Japanese translation of the license. The translation must be issued by the administrative agency that issued the license, by the consulate of the country that issued the license, or by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF).

o Japanese licence converted from a foreign licence

Procedure to convert foreign licences to Japanese licences

Required conditions

You must hold a valid foreign driving license

You must stay in the country that issued the license more than 3 months after obtaining it.

Required documents

Foreign driving licence

Japanese translation of the foreign license.

Only the following translations are acceptable:

1)	Translation by the Administrative Management Agency that issued the license, or by the consular office of the country where the license was issued.
2)	Translation by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF).

Passport

Resident Card or Residence Certificate

A copy of #1, #3 (A4 paper size), and #4 (both A4 and B5 paper size).

One potograph (3 cm high x 2.4 cm)

*	The photograph must have been taken within the late 6 months.
*	No hat, showing the full-face (you must look the camera directly), from the shoulders up (one third of the upper body), and no background

Others:

1)	Japanese licence (if you hold an expired license)
2)	ID Card or International driving license (if you have one).
3)	An official receipt or a certificate of acquisition regarding of a driving license.

Business hours
Monday-Friday (except on national holidays)
From 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Booking by phone call is required
(Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

Application fees

1. Normal sized cars:	4,250 yen
2. Two-wheeled vehicles:	5,000 yen
3. Motorized two-wheeled vehicles	3,550 yen
4. Oversized car vehicles	6,450 yen

Notes
1.	Come with an interpreter if you cannot speak Japanese
2.	The Japanese license will be issued after examining your driving skills.
3.	The application may not be accepted as a result of examination.
4.	The required documents may differ depending on the country that issued the license or each applicant's circumstance.

Where to apply
Gunma Prefectural Traffic Center (Google Maps)
Motosojamachi 80-4, Maebashi - ZIP Code: 371-0846
TEL: 027-253-9300

Where to get a translation of your licence
Japan Automobile Federation
Gunma Branch Office (Google Maps)
Koyagimachi 2040-2, Takasaki - ZIP Code: 370-0071
TEL: 027-362-4411

JAF Homepage
(English, Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese)

Buying a car

Required documents
1.	Certificate of Seal Registration
2.	Proof of Parking Space Certificate (Shako Shoumeisho), a document that proves you have a space to park your car. You should apply for it at the police station, but usually the car shop applies for it on your behalf.

Notes
1.	In Japan, cars are required to be inspected every two years. This is called Shaken. It is against the law to drive a car that is not inspected. Inspection is not required for motorcycles with a displacement of less than 250cc.
2.	You must join the Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance when you buy a car or when you have your car inspected. However, this insurance only covers the limited expenses. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you join an optional insurance as well. There may be a case when you will have to pay a huge amount of compensation for a car accident.

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