So long and complicated story short, I came to Japan 7 months ago, and before leaving, I got my International drivers permit. However, at the time of getting said permit, I had no idea that the permit worked in conjunction with my home country (USA)’s license and it wasnt its own stand alone document. And I not only discovered this fact *after* I arrived in Japan, but that my US driver’s license expires in August of this year. Due to extenuating circumstances, I was unable to start the process to transfer my US license to a Japanese one until this month. And I fear that I’m definitely too late to get my Japanese license before my US one expires. So to my knowledge, that means that I have to start from scratch to get my Japanese license. Does anyone know the process for this? Any advice would be super helpful.
7 comments
You might be able to renew your US license online. Check your state’s DMV page.
Book an appointment now at your local driver’s license center. Schedule some practice lessons there as well asap. As long as you can schedule an appointment in time, the whole process can be done in a month. When you take the test casually mention your sob story. I had similar issues with being down to the wire on my IDP and definitely got pity passed
What others said. Renew the license online and then maybe get someone back home to mail it to you. Getting a Japanese license from scratch is not easy. It is time-consuming and expensive. Just renew the license and do the transfer.
You said you’re from Ohio, so you are one of the lucky ones. Ohio is the most recent state to have a reciprocity agreement with Japan for driver’s license conversions. No tests required other than a vision test. For you, I believe you need to have your license officially translated to Japanese, and then take it to the license center to convert it.
Here’s some [literature](https://leasejapan.com/en/license-conversion/group-one-no-tests/) to help you on your way.
You’ll want to do this ASAP. If you renew your license here, it might mess up your odds, since a license holder must have had their current license for three months prior to arriving in Japan. They do this to prevent Japanese nationals from going to other countries with less strict licensing requirements from coming back and converting to a Japanese license.
I have researched this a bit. I am unfortunately from Michigan, so it’s not so easy for me. However, I’ve made it a known topic with some people connected to my consulate about interest in a reciprocity agreement between Japan and MI. Might be a waste of time, but it would make life easier for us if they take it seriously. I have driven for 12 years. I don’t feel like testing again.
I just converted my UK drivers license to a Japanese drivers license yesterday and my UK license expires in just over 2 weeks. I was worried the expiration date wouldn’t allow me to convert but it didn’t. Just as long as the license is still valid you will be able to convert it. I only booked the appointment 3 weeks ago. So if you are quick you will be able to convert it now. Good luck!
I don’t have my license in the uk and can’t really afford it for find the time to get one could a new arrival in Japan learn to get a license for the first time?
Just curious
I’m curious how you mess this one up because it’s so well documented. What happened?