I’ve searched online and haven’t been able to find a solution to my problem so hoping someone here can help. I’d really like to get a licence so I can drive in Japan but my Australian licence has already expired and according to the information I found it’s not possible to apply in this case. Does that mean I’d have to take the entire costly driving school training and test? Are there other options, aside from returning home and staying long enough after renewing my licence that it would be eligible for transferring in Japan. Unfortunately that’s not an option atm so am I out of luck? Keen to hear anyone’s thoughts/similar experiences. Thanks in advance!
8 comments
>I’d really like to get a licence so I can drive in Japan but my Australian licence has already expired and according to the information I found it’s not possible to apply in this case.
Well, you are an unlicensed driver.
>Does that mean I’d have to take the entire costly driving school training and test?
Yes.
>Are there other options, aside from returning home and staying long enough after renewing my licence that it would be eligible for transferring in Japan. Unfortunately that’s not an option atm so am I out of luck?
You mentioned the option above, go to driving school.
> staying long enough after renewing my licence that it would be eligible for transferring in Japan
The requirement is counting from when you first got your driver’s license, not when the renewed license was issued. But if the license was recently renewed you also need proof of the original issue date and that you lived in your home country back then (driving records + school records, etc)
Look it up yourself, but a lot of countries allow renewing an expired license if it is under xx months from expiry.
Perhaps you could renew from overseas via your embassy.
Going back to Aus would be cheaper than driving school
See if you can renew your Aus license without returning
I was able to renew mine via a call and a form sent to Vicroads. The only tricky part was the payment needed to be made with an Australian card, so had a friend call in and do it.
I’m guessing different for each state though.
Contact your states licensing centre. More often than not, you can renew from overseas.
I renewed my Qld licence online. I know that you can still renew an expired licence for a number of months, most likely online. Look up your state licencing body and read their website, it will tell you what you need to know.
Otherwise your two options are as you suggested.