Getting driving license in Japan

5 comments

1. If Spain has a direct conversion program with Japan I would always recommend doing that and swapping it rather than doing the Japanese test.
   You will be learning in your own language in a familiar environment and on the side of the road you are used to.

   Japan has a strict licence procedure that is expensive. It is done in a controlled environment on a little course, not out on the public road. From what I understand you need to know the course route without additional direction, and there is multiple routes (example: route A, route B) you are just told on the day which route you will take and have to know each turn, maneuver etc without instructions. It will most likely all be in Japanese.

   I have never done it here but this is what I researched before coming here in case I needed to do it for motorcycle license. Thankfully I didn’t need to in the end.

   I believe you can take an English driving school, but they will be few and far between and more expensive.

   Also, if you do get your licence in Spain, make sure it’s at least 3 months before moving, otherwise it can’t be converted.

2. >How difficult

   Very.

   >or expensive

   ***VERY***.

   >Are there recommended driving schools for foreigners?

   There are *very* few driving schools that cater to foreigners at all, as foreigners are generally expected to be converting their licenses.

   Most of the schools that do cater to foreigners (as in the have English instruction) are located in the Tokyo area.

   >Any tips for making the process smoother or cheaper?

   Yes: Do it in Spain. And do it *now*.

   It’s going to be infinitely easier to get your license in Spain, a country where you and the instructors speak the same language and where you’re familiar (even if just vaguely) with the local laws and bureaucracy.

   Spain is on the list of countries that are exempt from both the written and practical tests when converting to a Japanese license, so as long as you have the license for 90+ days before you move the conversion process is ridiculously simple.

3. Delta Driving School in Kyoto does the entire thing in English and helps you with the Japanese you need to know. However it’s an expensive 2 week thing where you spend every day morning to night doing the theory and practice however the room and food are included in the price.

4. I learned the drive through a driving school in Tokyo and it was around 270,000 jpy.

   However, this school did not have its own courses so practice was done at third party courses and at the police course itself. I also had to do my own test bookings at the police driving licence centre which is challenging if you don’t speak Japanese.

   On that note, not knowing Japanese will be a challenge. The written tests have language choice, but the driving tests are administered in Japanese.

5. Get it in Spain.

   Spain is of the few blessed countries where you can do a direct transfer: you dont need to take any test/exam. 

   Getting a drivers license in Japan is HARD. The practical exam is VERY DIFFICULT: you nedd to do a near perfect lap… Didnt adjust the mirrors before moving the car? Out. Forgot your bicycle lane check? Out. Got over the lane? Out. Out. Out

   Another point is that if you fail your exam, it can take weeks or even months until you can redo it (the time slots are very limited and there are a lot of people taking the exam). And you have to pay the exam fee every time you need to retake it.