Legalities of driving a car while on Tourist Visa

[Mr Doricar]

Does anyone know?

My friend has a car that I want to buy, but I'm not sure how to go about it.

He suggested we just leave the car registered in his name and I drive it around. There's no trust issues here so don't worry about that, but what are the legalities involved?

In essense he's just lending me the car. I have an international driving license and am probably going to transfer my UK license to a Japanese one soon.

What about insurance and what not? Anyone have any advice for me? I need a car to get around and I'm not paying rental money, so this is the best solution for me, but I don't want to get in trouble because of it.

Is it possible for me to register the car in my name somehow? If I have an address (i.e. Friends address where I'm staying) is that all I need or is it very complicated?

In England we just send off a V5 form with Name/Address and (optional) Driving license number of the new owner. It's that easy.

Obviously it won't be like that here.

The car has current shaken and is 100% road legal.

Thanks in advance

[halfnip]

A bit different from what you're trying to do, but why don't you just convert your current UK license to a Japanese one? Since you're from the UK, it should be a cinch. No tests, etc. You would't then have to worry about the legalities of driving here or owning a car based on your IP. Dunno, just a thought..

[amdg]

You bring up two issues:

(1) driving the car around while it belongs to your friend. – You should get him to contact his insurance company and tell them that you will be driving it for x number of days and ask if your driving will be covered. Get them to add your name to the insurance policy, if necessary, and get it all in writing.

(2) transfer of ownership of the car when you buy it. – You need to comply with all the transfer requirements. Otherwise you are asking for trouble down the road. You’ll need to get the appropriate forms from the ward office and the police (If I recall correctly). Probably the biggest problem for you is being able to prove you have a parking spot for the car. Do you have one?

[GomiGirl]

Do you have an international drivers licence? You will need one to be legally driving any car. You have 12 months (I think) to decide if you will change to a japanese drivers licence (easy for UK/Australian licence holders) or else decide not to legally drive in Japan any more.

Unless you can prove a parking spot etc, best just to borrow the car from your friend and make sure the insurance covers you to drive it.

Then if/when you change to a proper visa and stay, then you can take on the car in your own name.

[Mr Doricar]

Yep, I'm going to transfer my license to a Japanese one any time now, but it's the proof of parking thing that will be an issue as I'm just staying rent free in a friends parents house. The parking isn't a problem as they have heaps of room there.

So the two things you need to register a car are:

Japanese drivers license
Proof of address/parking

& Alien card?

Thanks again

[Greji]

Yep, I'm going to transfer my license to a Japanese one any time now, but it's the proof of parking thing that will be an issue as I'm just staying rent free in a friends parents house. The parking isn't a problem as they have heaps of room there.

So the two things you need to register a car are:

Japanese drivers license
Proof of address/parking

& Alien card?

Thanks again

I honestly have never paid attention to the alien card thing. I can't ever remember being asked for it when buying a car. The major thing, damn near worst than producing a drivers license, is the police certificate for "proof of a parking place". If your address is with parents of your friends, they should be able to provide you with a parking place (even though you won't use it). In that case you will need your alien card with the proper address on it, so you may need to update that. Depending on your type of visa, moves may be a required report, so if this is the case you need to make the move report at the city or ward office and tell them you moved last night, before you go to the PS to request parking. A Parking Permit is a formality and probably 99% of the people don't park in their registered spot. Normally, when you buy a new, or used car from a dealer, this is done for you by the dealer, but you still have to give the dealer the same song and dance routine.

[Mr Doricar]

Ok, thanks for that.

I don't have an alien card yet, as I was told not to worry about it until I renew my 90 day tourist visa. The UK has a deal where we can stay for 90 days on tourist visa, then while in the country can go to the local ward office and ask for an extension, then if it's granted, you need to get an alien card.

But my plan is to get an alien card ASAP, get my UK license transfered to a Japanese license ASAP, then I should be sorted.

As I'm living with my friends family, I will get my Alien card registered in their address, same with my drivers license, then I can hopefully register the car.

So...

1) J-Drivers license
2) Alien card showing friends parents address
3) Visit cop shop armed with 1&2 and get Parking Permit at friends parents address
4) Get car registered and be a happy driver once again

Phew. Although there is a lot of procedural BS in Japan, I guess it makes sense. It's not easy, but hey...When in Rome!

[Iraira]

Ok, thanks for that.

I don't have an alien card yet, as I was told not to worry about it until I renew my 90 day tourist visa. The UK has a deal where we can stay for 90 days on tourist visa, then while in the country can go to the local ward office and ask for an extension, then if it's granted, you need to get an alien card.

But my plan is to get an alien card ASAP, get my UK license transfered to a Japanese license ASAP, then I should be sorted.

As I'm living with my friends family, I will get my Alien card registered in their address, same with my drivers license, then I can hopefully register the car.

So...

1) J-Drivers license
2) Alien card showing friends parents address
3) Visit cop shop armed with 1&2 and get Parking Permit at friends parents address
4) Get car registered and be a happy driver once again

Phew. Although there is a lot of procedural BS in Japan, I guess it makes sense. It's not easy, but hey...When in Rome!

5) a map:p

[Mr Doricar]

5) a map:p

Sat Nav, and a Japanese person who can programme it for me

[ttjereth]

Sat Nav, and a Japanese person who can programme it for me

You need a map showing where the parking space is and the surrounding area.

[Mr Doricar]

Just take a map down and show them where I will be parking? Sounds good
Thanks for the help

[omae mona]

Just take a map down and show them where I will be parking? Sounds good
Thanks for the help

Doricar, I hope I'm wrong, but I think they'll send you right home with no registration if you try that. I believe you need proof that it's actually your address (utility bills, driver's license, etc.). I'll try to dig up some detailed information.

[Mr Doricar]

Hiya mate, my alien card and drivers license will have the correct address on it, where I will be living and parking the car!

[omae mona]

The page is in Japanese only, but if you look here, it discusses the requirements for a parking space (I assume you are talking about Tokyo).

Quick summary (not a formal translation)
1) Not on the road
2) Not further than 2km from where you plan to use the car
3) Car must be able to get in and out without obstacles, and the space must fit the entire car
4) You must have the right to use the space

Proof of right to use the space depends on circumstances, but when you are using somebody else's property you need to produce one of the following:
* Copy of a parking contract
* Copy of receipts for parking fees
* Proof from public housing authority (eek, may have mistranslated that long word)
* Parking letter of consent

I think your bigger problem is going to be getting a Japanese driver's license. I can't find proof, but I don't think there is a chance in hell they'll issue one to a temporary visitor. The good news is that a Japanese license does not seem to be a requirement for any part of the car registration process as far as I can see. You should be fine with an IDP.

[Mr Doricar]

No way jose! Tokyo is too big for me. I'm living in Nagoya!

I'll see how I go with the driving license thing. But it's good news that an IDP will do the job. I'll update here when I've tried it all out

[omae mona]

No way jose! Tokyo is too big for me. I'm living in Nagoya!

Got it. Well, the proof of parking is a national requirement, but the details of getting that certificate are left up to local police departments. I would check in with the Nagoya folks about what documents you have to submit (my guess is that it's similar or identical to Tokyo, but who knows).

Good luck!

[ttjereth]

No way jose! Tokyo is too big for me. I'm living in Nagoya!

I'll see how I go with the driving license thing. But it's good news that an IDP will do the job. I'll update here when I've tried it all out

You can definately get on on an IDP, I bought my first car here 2 years before getting my JP license. Haven't had the IDP for quite awhile now, but if things haven't changed since I had one, you can look forward higher insurance rates.

[ttjereth]

Just take a map down and show them where I will be parking? Sounds good
Thanks for the help

The map was in addition to everything else.