I would like to drive in Japan and buy a car. What should I do?

Driver's Licenses

There are three ways for a foreigner to drive in Japan.
* International Driver's License
* Changing to a Japanese license
* Acquiring a Japanese license

International Driver's Licenses

If you obtain an International Driver's License, but your home country is not a signatory of the Geneva Convention, you can't drive in Japan (there are 86 countries including Japan. Iran, Brazil, and China are not signatories).
* The Vienna Treaty (43 countries) is recognized.
* The Iranian International Driver's License says that it allows driving in Japan, but it is not true.
* The International Driver's licence can only be used in Japan for 1 year after entry.
* You can not get a new International Driver's licence unless you are home for 3 whole months

You can't renew an International Driver's License in Japan, only your home country can issue one. (However, if your home country sends you the International Driver's License, it is void for one year from the date of your entry to Japan. Traffic rule 107 sec. 2).

Getting a driver's license in Japan

To acquire a driver's license for the first time in Japan, you will have to attend a driving school to complete a set course of instruction (knowledge and skills) and then pass an examination at a licensing office.
*Procedures for other than full-sized cars (ex. buses, etc.) are the same, but the fees different.

In Japan, driver's licenses are obtained by attending driving school (costing approximately ¥200,000 or more depending on the school). Drivers must renew their driver's licenses every three years. When there is a change in your status, by moving or by marriage, for example, the change must be immediately reported to the local police station near your home.

It is easy to transfer to a Japanese license if you have a valid foreign driver's license and have remained in the country of issue for more than three months.

[Place] Driving License Division Exam Section, Ibaraki Prefectural Police Headquarters
[Address] Higashiibaraki-gun Ibaraki-Machi Nagaoka Yagashira 3783-3
[Phone] 029-293-8811 (ext.243)
[Application Time] 8:30AM - 9:00AM
It takes 2 to 3 hours to get a license but you must apply during the 30 min application time period first.
[Transportation Method] By Kanto Company bus (light blue) at Mito Station's north exit, bus stop #1 for Unten Menkyo Shikenjo. The bus ride takes 40 minutes.
[Fee] ¥3,800 (Driver's license for a full-sized car)

The following materials are necessary:
* Valid home country license /international drivers licence
* Official Japanese translation of your license
* Alien registration card or proof of residence
* Passport
* One picture (3cmx2.0cm) * Hanko

A certified translation can only come from your embassy, consulate or the Japan Automobile Association(JAF).
* JAF Ibaraki branch 2475-7 Senba Mito-shi Postal Code:130 (Accepted by mail only) TEL 029-244-7211
* Send a cash registration with the fee : 3,700 yen, a copy of the driver's license (front and back side), and your name, address, and phone number.
* Translation will take about 7 to 10 days. No 1-day service. Reference : JAF TEL(03)5976-9710 Minoto-ku, Shibakouen 3-5-8
* If it's translated in your home country, it is invalid, it must be done in Japan.

Purchasing a car

When purchasing a car it is necessary to have adequate automobile insurance, a garage registration and means to pay applicable taxes. The car dealer should be able to assist you with all these matters.

Automobile insurance is classified into two categories, compulsory and optional. When you own a car, you must have compulsory automobile insurance. In the event of death or injury to a third party during the operation of an automobile or motorized bicycle, this insurance covers the damage suffured by the latter bearing that legal liability relevant to personal damage. But there are limits to the amount of compensation covered by this insurance.

Optional automobile insurance is helpful in covering damage to property owned by a third party, including an automobile and injuries to any driver or passenger while riding. None of these conditions is covered by compulsory insurance.

Automobiles must undergo regular vehicle inspections. For new, full-sized cars, an inspection is required in the third year, and after that once every two years.

Traffic accident consultation

* Chūō Traffic Accident Consultation (Mito)
029-225-2803 ext.2370
* Rokko Traffic Accident Consultation (Hokota)
0291-3-4111 ext.211
* Kennan Traffic Accident Consultation (Tsuchiura)
0298-22-8511 ext.521
* Kensei Traffic Accident Consultation (Shimodate)
0296-24-2211 ext.218

Breakdown on the road

Japan Automobile Federation (JAF)
* Mito 029-231-3271
* Tsuchiura 0298-22-6782
* Tōkyō 03-3463-0111

Traffic information

Traffic Information Center
Ibaraki 029-226-2531
Tōkyō 03-3581-7611
Metropolitan Expressway 03-3239-9801