What to Do If You Don’t Receive a Postcard for Your Driver’s License Renewal in Japan

How to Renew Your Japanese Driver’s License Without the Postcard

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If you have a Japanese driver’s license, you probably know that you need to renew it every few years. Usually, you will receive a postcard from the police a few months before your license expires, telling you the date and place of your renewal. However, sometimes the postcard may get lost in the mail or you may forget to update your address after moving. In that case, what should you do?

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Don’t panic. You can still renew your license without the postcard, but you need to act fast. Here are the steps you need to follow:

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1. Check your license expiration date. You can find it on the back of your license card, next to the word “有効期限” (validity period). It is written in the Japanese calendar format, which uses the emperor’s reign as the starting point. For example, “令和3年4月7日” means April 7th, 2021 in the Gregorian calendar. If your license has already expired, you cannot renew it and you need to apply for a new one.

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2. Go to the nearest driver’s license center as soon as possible. You can find the list of centers on this website: [https://www.npa.go.jp/koutsuu/menkyo/menkyocenter.htm](https://www.npa.go.jp/koutsuu/menkyo/menkyocenter.htm). You need to bring your license card, your residence card or passport, and a 3×2.4 cm photo of yourself taken within the last six months. The photo should show your face clearly without any hat or glasses.

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3. Fill out the application form at the center. You will need to write your name, address, phone number, and other personal information in Japanese. If you don’t know how to write in Japanese, you can ask for help from the staff or use a translation app on your phone.

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4. Pay the renewal fee and take the mandatory lecture. The fee varies depending on the type and duration of your license, but it is usually around 4,000 yen. You can pay by cash or credit card. After paying, you will be given a ticket for the lecture, which lasts for about an hour. The lecture covers basic traffic rules and safety tips in Japan. It is usually in Japanese only, but some centers may have English subtitles or headphones.

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5. Receive your new license card and return your old one. After the lecture, you will be asked to return your old license card and receive your new one. Check that all the information on your new card is correct and sign it with a black pen. Congratulations! You have successfully renewed your license without the postcard.

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Remember to keep your new license card with you whenever you drive in Japan. Also, make sure to update your address with the police if you move to a different place. This way, you can avoid missing the postcard next time and enjoy driving safely in Japan.