Owning Wheels in Toyama

Japan has a very efficient transport system; the trains are always on time, the buses go everywhere and every city/ town/ village has taxis. However, trains are infrequent and often stop running before midnight, buses are expensive and generally stop running at 10pm, and taxi fares are exorbitant. For these reasons and more, many JETs buy (or seriously consider buying) vehicles.

In Toyama, we're really quite lucky. It’s a relatively un-crowded area, so driving around is easy (even for those of you who normally drive on the right side of the road!). If you are considering getting yourself some wheels, whether of the two or four wheeled variety, then please read the following article.

Driving in Japan

Before you buy a car or motorcycle, make sure you have the proper papers. To drive (legally) in Japan, you need a valid license for a car or motorcycle from your home country, plus the applicable international license. Note that you MUST carry your driving license with you at all times when operating a motor vehicle. Police frequently carry out checks on vehicles, and in these situations, you will be asked to show your license. If you do not have a valid license and you want to drive in Japan you are able to obtain a Japanese license, however, you must undertake the normal Japanese preparation for the test, including the all written tests and driving lessons, this will need to be done using nenkyu and will take time.

Before you drive

It is important that before you drive in Japan that you have the correct papers. For your first year here that is a Driver’s license from your home country - which you have had for 3 months prior to coming to Japan and an international driver’s license. For your 2nd year on you need a Japanese driver’s license. This goes for cars and motorcycles.

Why this is important

If you drive without a valid license all insurance in Japan is void. A JET a few years ago drove without a license and had an accident, the accident resulted in him losing a leg. All insurance, including JET accident insurance was void. He was left with medical bills of $180,000 American Dollars. If you are caught driving without a license, you are almost guaranteed to be fired and deported.

Under new legislation (as of June 6th 2002), Japan only allows the use of an international license for up to one year after your initial entry into the country (even if the international license would otherwise not be expired). To obtain a new, valid, international license requires that you return to your home country for at least 3 months. Renewing JETs therefore now must obtain a Japanese driving license if they wish to drive in their second year in Japan.

Obtaining Your Japanese License

For some ALTs getting a driver’s license is a bit time consuming, but fairly easy. For Americans and South Africans however, getting a Japanese license is a little more complicated and a lot more difficult. The reason why this is because Japan asked very country to fill out a survey explaining the process of getting a license in their country – those that didn’t, or couldn’t were not given the easy ride.

For all JETS, before you even start, you need:

  • A valid foreign driver’s license.
  • To have lived in the country where your driver’s license was issued for more than 3 months after obtaining it. If you have your license renewed within the 3 months before you leave for Japan it would be a very good idea to get a copy of your license transcripts or some other official document so that you can prove you had your license for more than the 3 month period.
  • At least half a day of nenkyuu to take the written test and eye exam.

Where to apply:

  • Go to the Toyama Prefecture Driving Education Centre (Unten Kyouiku), 62-1 Takashima, Toyama, 939 8064 (Tel. 0764-41-2211, extension 731-243)
  • Your license can only be submitted for conversion Monday – Friday, 8.30 – 9.00 a.m.
  • Alternatively, you can mail you license in to be translated, thus saving you time and a hassle. The form can be downloaded below at the Japanese Automobile Federation website.
  • If you do not have fluent Japanese ability (or at least around 3kyuu level), you may need to take someone with you to act as a translator.

How to get there:

  • From JR Toyama station, take a bus for Saiseikai Toyama Byouin, and get off at the Unten Kyouiku Centre.
  • By car from Toyama, take Route 8 towards Namerikawa. Take a left at the turning with a large, pastel-colored, ribbon-like sculpture on one corner. From there continue straight until you see signs for the Alpine Stadium. The Unten Kyouiku Centre is beside the Stadium, so take a right for the stadium and then drive round past it. Take the first right turn, and you will see a large car park and building (the Unten Kyouiku) on the right.

What to bring:

  • A valid Foreign Driver's license. If the date of issue isn't written on it, you will need to bring other documents that provide this information.
  • A Japanese translation of your driver's license. This costs ¥3000 Your license must be translated by the administrative office which issued your license, or the Embassy / consulate of that country, or JAF (Japan Automobile Federation), Toyama office: 824-3 Akada, Toyama (tel. 0764 25-7373) (this is the easiest option)

Click here for explanation on getting the translation and to download the application form

Click here for a map to JAF in Toyama

  • Passport
  • Alien Registration Card.
  • Copy of Alien Registration Certificate, issued within the previous 6 months (this is obtained from your Town Office, and costs a few hundred yen).
  • A photo (3 x 2.4 cm)
  • Hanko
  • ¥2,400 - ¥3,400 application fee
  • ¥1,750 license issue fee
  • ¥1,000 membership fee of Driver's Safety Foundation (optional).

What you will have to do:

Most ALTs will only have to take a vision test and fill out a form with information on your driving experience (in English).

Only American ALTs must take the written and practical driving test.

NB Recently American JETs in Toyama have been finding it EXTREMELY difficult to pass the practical driving test. We recommend starting EARLY when you try and pass the test because it’s going to take a lot of time and eat up a lot of nenkyuu. You can only take the practical test on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays and you must sign up for a slot in advance. If you fail the test, you must wait until all the others have finished, and the tester will announce who passed and who failed. Only then will they allow you to select your next day to take the test. In the summer/fall MANY people are taking the test, and you may have to wait for up to a month before you can take it again. Leaving it until the summer is a VERY BAD IDEA. Many JETs have found that having “practice” with the Driving School helps them prepare for the test. The testers usually ask you if you have had practice lessons. If you say no, they will almost definitely fail you, or give you an earful about the lessons being "mandatory". They are not, but do help give you insight into the practical tests quirks. Lessons from the practice site next to the driving center are 5,000yen for a 1 hour day lesson. A night(after 1 or 2pm) or weekend lesson will run you 6,000yen per hour.

Find more information on obtaining a Japanese Drivers License at http://www.japandriverslicense.com.

Take care!

Any traffic offences, including parking tickets, will result in points being added to your license. You may not be informed of this at the time of the offence, so be warned; six points will result in a one-month license suspension, and, for example, speeding 30km over the limit may earn you 7 points and immediate suspension. On the plus side, these suspensions can sometimes be shortened to as little as one day by taking a test (in English). Don’t rely on this, though!

When you go to JAF to get your license translation, take a look around their office. They have a plethora of useful maps, as well as a guide for foreigners driving in Japan written in English. This guide will help you to learn the rules of the road, and will also give you information like what to do if you get wheel clamped, or how to drive safely in snowy conditions.

What if you are involved in an accident...?

If you are involved in an accident, you won’t be able to talk yourself out of it. The police will come, interview the Japanese person first, and then start to grill you about what happened. They'll investigate the scene and then assign who is to blame. If you can speak Japanese you might be all right if you didn't do anything wrong. But if it's questionable who is to blame, then don’t sign anything until you understand exactly what is going on. Get someone from your BOE or school to help you out.

What if you breakdown...?

Be prepared; join the JAF (Japan Automobile Federation). The JAF is Japan's version of the automobile association (AAA, AA, CAA,etc.) They provide the same type of services. If you run out of gas, get a flat tire, or your car breaks down, they will come help you. Usually it's free unless there are some extraordinary circumstances. Also, if you have a JAF membership, it covers you no matter what car you are riding in. So if you are in a friend's car and you have a problem, you can still use your JAF card to get free help. The one time I had to use JAF, I was very pleased with it. My battery died because I left my lights on. They arrived in about 10 minutes and were very nice and professional.　 It costs 6000 yen for your 1st year's membership and 4000 yen per year after that. http://www.jaf.or.jp/e/index_e.htm

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