International Drivers licences

[GomiGirl]

I am about to take a trip and I think I will need an international drivers licence to rent a car. I have a current and valid Japanese licence as well as an Australian one.

Where can I get the international one?

[CrankyBastard]

I am about to take a trip and I think I will need an international drivers licence to rent a car. I have a current and valid Japanese licence as well as an Australian one.

Where can I get the international one?

If you're in Kanagawa pref, Futamatagawa.

[Taro Toporific]

Where can I get the international one?

In Tokyo, the main place to go is the Samezu Driver's license examination bureau.
TEL 03-3474-1374

However, it seems it's possible to get one at the SHinjuku!


http://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.jp/menkyo/menkyo/kokugai/kokugai03.htm

[IkemenTommy]

And don't forget to bring a passport size mug shot of yourself.

[Greji]

[IkemenTommy]

If you go to the J-Center License facility in Fuchu (which I think would be closer to you, close to Musashi Koganei eki on the Chuo Line) (府]do not forget to take your passport[/B]. The last time I applied, they would not take my FJ toroku, J-driver's license as ID, I had to present my passport, cause I had to make a four hour round trip to get it.

Yep, I used to register at Fuchu but now at Samezu. So much more convenient than having to take the bus or taxi ride out there in the sticks.

[FG Lurker]

Not all countries require international licenses.

In Canada for example you can drive for up to 6 months on your Japanese license as long as your main residence remains in Japan. Germany has a similar sort of agreement and I assume there are other countries that do as well.

[Hamaki]

Not all countries require international licenses.

In Canada for example you can drive for up to 6 months on your Japanese license as long as your main residence remains in Japan. Germany has a similar sort of agreement and I assume there are other countries that do as well.

As far as the police in other countries are concerned, your Japanese license is as good as a student ID card because it is not in their language.

Hey, but you could use it to get a student discount at the movies.

[FG Lurker]

[Hamaki]

[Big Booger]

I went yesterday with my wife and got one for each of us. Make sure that you don't get the Passport size photo... it's the wrong size... you need the ID type 4cmX5cm not the 5cmX5cm... At least that was the way it went for the branch in Akashi.

You'll also probably need your passport and inkan, at least I did.

[IkemenTommy]

If you ever get pulled over in a foreign country, for example speeding, is it better to show your Japanese driver's license (international driver's license) or that country's if you have it?

[GomiGirl]

Thanks BB - good advice.

GG

[FG Lurker]

[Hamaki]

Well, if I had to guess I would say the Japanese and Canadian databases are connected together. When the Kanuckistani cop scans my license the data gets pulled from the nippon db automagically. It isn't exactly rocket science.

No way. Japanese privacy laws prevent this and besides do you really think any government is that together, not to say two.

An international does not say you know how to drive or you have passed any test proving you can drive. It is only a certified translation of your local drivers license and associates your local drivers license and passport together.

When you visit any other country and want to drive you need a international drivers license if all you have is a Japanese license, unless you visit one of the many countries that Japanese is a native language. Oh, there is only one.

[FG Lurker]

No way. Japanese privacy laws prevent this and besides do you really think any government is that together, not to say two.

An international does not say you know how to drive or you have passed any test proving you can drive. It is only a certified translation of your local drivers license and associates your local drivers license and passport together.

When you visit any other country and want to drive you need a international drivers license if all you have is a Japanese license, unless you visit one of the many countries that Japanese is a native language. Oh, there is only one.

I realize that for people from certain countries that tend to avoid international agreements (*cough* USA *cough*) it might be difficult to accept that many countries regularly make such agreements.

In British Columbia (Canada's westernmost province fyi) visitors from other Canadian provinces, the USA, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and South Korea can drive for up to 6 months without an international permit.

[Hamaki]

Please drive with your Japanese drivers license next time you go to Canaduh.

You obviously do not understand, so I give up.

[FG Lurker]

Please drive with your Japanese drivers license next time you go to Canaduh.

I already have. In fact as I said before it was the BC Driver's Licensing Authority who told me that driving on my J-license is what I *should* do.

You obviously do not understand, so I give up.

One of us doesn't understand and it isn't me. Good to see you are giving up though!

[Blah Pete]

In the USA (California) a International Drivers License is not necessary, or so I was told.
On the morning of my departure to the USA I realized that my International license was no where to be found. I called the rent-a-car company (forget which one but it was one of the big boys) and explained the situation. I had a Japan and a Singapore license and they said no problem. I could legally reant a car, covered by insurance, etc.

If I was pulled over by a cop I suppose I would have got hauled downtown until they could get someone to translate the license....

[Hamaki]

If I was pulled over by a cop I suppose I would have got hauled downtown until they could get someone to translate the license....

Yep, as you would in any country.

You do not need a CA license to rent a car in CA and you may not need a license at all, only money.

[Mock Cockpit]

FYI Australian cops want to see your home country license with a translation if it's not in English.

[Visitor K]

FYI Australian cops want to see your home country license with a translation if it's not in English.

its been a while since ive had an international license, but i think that is always the case. there is something written on there that says it is invalid unless it is accompanied by your original license.

[Mock Cockpit]

its been a while since ive had an international license, but i think that is always the case. there is something written on there that says it is invalid unless it is accompanied by your original license.

In Australia you don't need an international driving permit (in practice- cops on the ground reality) and if your license is in English that is all you need.

[Visitor K]

In Australia you don't need an international driving permit (in practice- cops on the ground reality) and if your license is in English that is all you need.

oh, i thought you meant in conjunction with the international one.
but that makes sense as the international drivers license is merely a translation of your home country's license and nothing more.

[Greji]

I think we can "what if and do this" on this topic all day. But in actuality, what is legal and what might happen can be two entirely different things. I am reminded of a move I had to make back to the states because of my prior business, I shipped my beloved Pontiac gas hog complete with J-license plates.

At that time, California Law stated that on import of the car you could drive with the foreign plates for the first year, or until you had to do any of the state registrations, or vehicle tax payments, whichever came first (No, before you ask, I have no idea what the law is now).

It was less than a hot week before I was pulled over by California's finest, who promptly asked me where on God's green earth my license plates were from. I told him Japan and that I had the grace period to register in state and he politely informed me that "the fuck I did," and that I was driving an illegally registered car, not only in the Great State of California, but also, in all of the vast United States of America. He then started writing violations for every possible interpretation of the vehicle code, to include not having the old California emissions control device. He never even checked but said that since I was coming from Japan, I couldn't possibly have a California device.

The sum essence is that I had to actually take considerable time to physically go to the DMV, CHP and eventually the county prosecutor's office to establish that I did in fact have the right to drive with my Japanese License Plates for a set period as stipulated by state law.

Now, ya'all can say what is allowed and what is not allowed and what you can and cannot do in your bailiwick, but it is all a moot point when you meet Officer Smiley and you are first person he has ever met with an international driver's problem.

Sure, just like me, you will eventually win, but are you prepared to spend all that time to prove you're right (guaranteed minimum of three to four days, in my case several days over two weeks), when just a one hour visit to the local Japanese DMV will get your license and completely bypass Officer Smiley's proctology exam?

[Visitor K]

The sum essence is that I had to actually take considerable time to physically go to the DMV, CHP and eventually the county prosecutor's office to establish that I did in fact have the right to drive with my Japanese License Plates for a set period as stipulated by state law.

now that sucks.. here in mexico you would just give the traffic cop ten bucks and he would send you on your way.