Canadians don't have to take road and written test eh?

[momotobananaoishii]

[sp. 'tests']

I just got my Canadian driver's license translated by JAF and will be going to the Driver's license center tomorrow. I've read on JAF that as of 2003 Canadians are exempt from the driver's road test and written test.

That is just wonderful It's funny reading the irate comments by Americans on some forums. I do feel for you guys though. That sucks that you gotta go through all of that. I'm 1/2 American. I use my Canadian passport wherever I go though

There is still the eye test and some other aptitude test isn't there? Like how many igloos and beavers are there in Canada?

[GomiGirl]

I got my licence a while back - as an Australian I just filled in the forms, got my translations done and did the eye test and waited for half the day and got it no problem.

Make sure you have on your licence when it was issued and how long you have spent in your home country with a valid driving licence as that is the only requirements. I did have a little trouble as my licence had been renewed since I had been in Japan so I needed to get a driving record certificate sent over from Australia. It just shows when your first licence was issued and then they match up the dates on your passport to meet the criteria.

[momotobananaoishii]

I got my licence a while back - as an Australian I just filled in the forms, got my translations done and did the eye test and waited for half the day and got it no problem.

Make sure you have on your licence when it was issued and how long you have spent in your home country with a valid driving licence as that is the only requirements. I did have a little trouble as my licence had been renewed since I had been in Japan so I needed to get a driving record certificate sent over from Australia. It just shows when your first licence was issued and then they match up the dates on your passport to meet the criteria.

ok so my DL says it was issued on 2006 Dec 01. My passport says I entered Japan on 2007 March. That's all the proof I need right?

[GomiGirl]

ok so my DL says it was issued on 2006 Dec 01. My passport says I entered Japan on 2007 March. That's all the proof I need right?

From memory it was 75 days but am not 100% sure. There is a website around that has these sorts of details on it.

[FG Lurker]

[momotobananaoishii]

well I'm at 115 days basically so I'm sure that's enough. At most it would be the standard 90 days that seems to be the norm for Japanese things. Even AU said my gaijin card had to be good for at least another 90 days before they could sell me a plan.

[omae mona]

When your J-license is up for renewal (if you're still in Japan at that point) you have to suffer through the process just like citizens. Expect to spend the better part of a day listening to lectures on safe driving and watching depressing videos.

[FG Lurker]

When your J-license is up for renewal (if you're still in Japan at that point) you have to suffer through the process just like citizens. Expect to spend the better part of a day listening to lectures on safe driving and watching depressing videos.

Yeah, been there, done that.

They skip talking about some very major things too. No comments at all about kids (or small people even) and airbags... I asked the "instructor" at the end why they didn't mention that and he had no idea what I was talking about.

[momotobananaoishii]

so...how do I prove that I've been in my home country for at least 3 months with my DL? All I need is my passport for proof right?

[baka tono]

Japan is a unique country where children are allowed to be free and unique jumping around the inside of a moving vehicle. How dare we impose our Western seatbelt morals on the driving public. Whats next expecting Japanese drivers to follow the drivers ten commandments? http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/06/19/vatican.road.rage.ap/index.html

[FG Lurker]

so...how do I prove that I've been in my home country for at least 3 months with my DL? All I need is my passport for proof right?

Yes, your passport is what they will look at. They'll compare the issue date on your license with the stamps in your passport. If your passport is less than 3 months old then they'll want to see your previous passports.

[momotobananaoishii]

Good news everyone!!

menkyosho shutoku omedetou !!!!

I got my first license in Japan.

Sure was difficult with my limited Japanese though. They were asking me all these questions about my passport and at least I got through it all. I was there from 10AM-3PM basically just waiting and waiting for different levels of paperwork / photo.

I was really happy to be able to travel all the way there and do everything by myself without the help of anyone. And I was the only gaijin there the entire day...weird, it's Osaka.

As I said I didn't need to take the road test or written test. I took the joke of an eye test. 30 second test, no joke. 5 open C questions, and they flashed the traffic like colors once and asked me what colors they were lol

Was funny because I actually use a very small prescription (but only need the glasses if I drive at night. Even then I don't use them really). Almost no prescription but enough to give me trouble with the micro mini C's. The lady gave me many opportunities to shout out the correct answer lol WTF

I also met two cute girls that I ended up having lunch with :P They even walked back with me after lunch to make sure I got through everything ok. We're meeting tomorrow night Friday in Namba. HeHe You KNOW I'm gonna hit that shit!! Booya~!:nihonjin:

[Greji]

I also met two cute girls that I ended up having lunch with :P They even walked back with me after lunch to make sure I got through everything ok. We're meeting tomorrow night Friday in Namba. HeHe You KNOW I'm gonna hit that shit!! Booya~!:nihonjin:

Way to go Momo! Grats on the successful first of what I hope, are many good, warm and fuzzy happenings while you're in the land of the big rice paddy.

As far as your forthcoming offensive surge in Namba, don't take any prisoners and plan on nailing both of them!