Hi all, I arrived in Japan this year and I’m currently living in Okinawa. I came here with my international driver’s license that is still valid for almost a year, but I’ve noticed already that a lot of smaller (and cheaper) car rental companies won’t recognize an international permit, so I’ve been looking to convert my European license to a Japanese one.
The problem is, while making the appointment with the driving center in Naha, I was asked about my international permit and I answered honestly that I have one. Now the clerk answered that they can set my appointment to review my documents, but if my IDP is still valid, they cannot convert my license.
This seems strange to me seeing as you’re supposed to convert your license to a Japanese one if you reside in the country, and I’ve been here for more than 3 months already. My country also has a bilateral agreement with Japan allowing me to convert my license without an exam, and I don’t think that having an international license would make an exception to this agreement. As far as I know, the decision to not grant licences to foreigners with a valid IDP is something unique to Okinawa, or at least I haven’t come across this information while looking up the procedure in other prefectures.
Has anyone here successfully managed to convert your license while having a valid international driving permit, and if so, did you encounter any difficulties? I’m wondering how to approach this issue and I’m seriously thinking about denying having an IDP during my appointment or claiming that I lost it if need be. It doesn’t seem legal for the Prefecture to deny the procedure on the basis of having an international license, but then again, this is Japan, so what’s the point arguing about it with a clerk…
by aguirre1pol
