Long story short, I have a driver’s license, moved to Japan prior to fulfilling the 3 month clause, have about a month total and I don’t have the time nor financial means to go back to my home country for the remaining two month stint needed to pass the 3 month hurdle.
But my IDP is nearing its end so I had two questions. I will also be asking the driver’s license center these questions, but I have not had the time to call them yet, and figured I’d try my hand at Reddit on the off chance someone has had this situation too. I’ve searched on the forum but couldn’t find anything regarding this specific topic, so here goes.
* I have a license that, if I fulfilled the 3 months in my home country, would bypass both the written and practical parts of the exam, allowing for a straight conversion. Because I do not fulfill this condition, will they treat me like I for all intents and purposes do not have a license at all, and as such am required to take both exams?
* If the answer is yes, will I be required to enroll with a driving school, or am I good to just sign up for the exams and hope for the best?
4 comments
> I have a license that, if I fulfilled the 3 months in my home country, would bypass both the written and practical parts of the exam, allowing for a straight conversion. Because I do not fulfill this condition, will they treat me like I for all intents and purposes do not have a license at all, and as such am required to take both exams?
Generally yes. You’ll be basically starting over.
> If the answer is yes, will I be required to enroll with a driving school, or am I good to just sign up for the exams and hope for the best?
Can’t answer this but it seems like going straight for the exams is a possibility based on different experiences in this sub. Maybe someone else can give details.
You can use your home country’s license and do the 仮免許 course if your country is on their list. Sucks but you have to pass the written test and road test TWICE. And every time you take the test it’ll cost a bit. Passing is 90% not 89.9% but 90%. Road test is 70% but they’re extremely strict.
Sorry for my ignorance. What is the 3 month rule?
Perhaps it’s worth noting for the thread that any short trips back to your home country also count towards the 3 months.
When i converted my license they accepted all my short trips back home for xmas and stuff like that. Added them all together and I think I had like 3 months 2 days.