DRIVING
In order to drive an automobile in Japan, you must have a valid Japanese driver's license or an International Driver's License (IDL). The minimum age for driving an automobile is 18. Those between the age of 16 and 18 who have a valid foreign driver's license may get a motorcycle license.

The best way to qualify for a Japanese driver's license is to have a valid foreign license issued at least three months prior to your arrival in Japan. Without this, you will have to attend a driving school, pass a written test that may be offered in English, Portuguese, Persian, Russian, Chinese and Korean (*Only English is available in Asahikawa) and a road test. This is a very time consuming and expensive process. The options for legally driving in Japan are listed below.
INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE
You may drive in Japan if you have an International Driver's License, as outlined by the Geneva Treaty. Make sure that your license is valid for use in Japan.
International Driver's Licenses are valid for a period of one year following issue.
FOREIGN DRIVER'S LICENSE
If you have a German, French or Swiss driver's license, you can drive in Japan for one year after entering Japan (with passport for verification purposes), on condition that the license is translated into Japanese at your nation's embassy or consulate in Japan or at the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF).
JAF operation hours and service fees:
  1. Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday (closed on national holidays)
  2. Fee: \3,000 for a certified translation (If application is made by mail, another \290 is required for postage.)
  3. Address: Fukuzumi 3-jo 1-1-1, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo 062-0043       TEL: 011-857-7341 (in Japanese)
OBTAINING JAPANESE DRIVER'S LICENSE BY PRESENTING YOUR HOME COUNTRY LICENSE
You must have a driver's license from your home country issued at least three months prior to your arrival in Japan, and over 3 months of driving experience in your home country. You can have your license converted to Japanese after taking an examination. In cases of special physical disabilities, restrictions may be placed on your license.
Necessary Documents:
Application form
Your original home country license along with a translation into Japanese
*Your local branch of the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) can translate your license for \3,000.
Certificate of Alien Registration
Two photographs (3cm in length~2.4cm in width)
Passport
Application fee: \4,150 (\2,400 for a road test and \1,750 to issue a license)
Seal or signature
Examination
Written examination
Road test
Eye examination - If you are from one of the 21 countries listed below, you only need to pass the eye examination to get a Japanese driver's license.
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
*If you have less than 1 year's driving experience, you are required to
stick a newly licensed driver symbol on your vehicle.

OBTAINING JAPANESE DRIVER'S LICENSE WITHOUT A LICENSE FROM YOUR HOME COUNTRY
You must have an eye examination and pass both written and road tests to receive a Japanese license. The same requirements apply for those who wish to drive motorcycles. Applicants for a license to drive motorcycles with an engine capacity of under 50cc, however, do not need to take the road test.
Necessary Documents:
Application form
Certificate of Alien Registration
Two photographs (3cm in length~2.4cm in width)
Application fee
The following are the three types of licenses issued.
  • Futsu:
For regular driving as well as motorcycles with a capacity of under 50cc.
  • Nirin:
Futsu - For motorcycles with a capacity of under 400cc.
Ogata - For motorcycles with no capacity limitation.
  • Gentsuki:
For motorcycles with a capacity of under 50cc.
RENEWAL OF A JAPANESE DRIVER'S LICENSE
You must renew your license every three or five years. Such renewal must take place no sooner than one month prior to and no later than one month after the third or fifth birthday following the date of issue as written on your license. At the time of renewal, you must undergo an eye examination and attend a lecture on safe driving.
Necessary Documents:
Application form
Present Driver's License
Certificate of Alien Registration (only if there are changes)
One photograph (3cm in length~2.4cm in width) - Only for those who renew the license in a police station outside of Asahikawa. You do not need a photograph when renewing the license at the Asahikawa Driving License Examination Center.
Renewal fee
In the event of extraordinary circumstances such as serious illness or travel outside of Japan, it is possible to renew your license earlier than one month prior to your birthday. You must bring, however, appropriate proof. In case of illness, a doctor's note, or in case of travel overseas, a passport or an equivalent official document is required. If you do not have such documens, please notify the counter.
PENALTIES FOR TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS
In Japan, traffic violations are measured on a point system. For most violations, you will be fined and a number of points will be added to your record. If you receive a ticket for a traffic violation, it is a good idea to ask the officer how many points you have on your record.
BUYING AN AUTOMOBILE (Except a light motor vehicle with a cubic capacity of 550cc or less)
In most cases, cars are bought from an authorized dealer. When negotiating with a dealer, it is a good idea to have a Japanese acquaintance help you.

If you would like to obtain detailed informatino on light motor vehicles, please contact: Asahikawa Region Mini Vehicles Association
                     Shunkocho 6-jo 5-chome 1-24, Asahikawa 070-0876
                     TEL: 53-7300
Necessary Procedures
New cars

All new cars must undergo an official inspection (which includes an inspection fee), and the car must be registered. There are three types of taxes: a tax based on automobile weight, an annual owner's tax, and a one time tax for new car owners.

In addition, there is a compulsory liability insurance program in which you must enroll. You must also have a document that certifies that you have acquired a parking space at your place or residence. Usually, the dealer will take care of all of these matters for you at the time of purchase.
Used cars

You must register your name as the new owner of the car. This can be done at the dealership where you buy the car.
AUTOMOBILE INSPECTIONS
A new car does not need to undergo an inspection within the first three years of purchase. Thereafter, it must be inspected every two years.

Inspections can be done at your local auto dealer or at a place of inspection. After the inspection, you will receive a square shaped sticker for the front windshield that shows the date of your next inspection.

It is also suggested that you have short inspections conducted every twelve months. After these twelve-month inspections, you receive a round sticker for the front windshield.
Asahikawa Transport Branch Office, Hokkaido District Transport Bureau
Shunkocho 10-1, Asahikawa 070-0902
  • General Affairs and Planning Division - TEL: 51-5271/FAX: 54-4755
  • Transport Division - TEL: 51-5272/FAX: 54-4755
  • Registration Section -  TEL: 050-5540-2003/FAX: 51-5273
  • Maintenance Service Division - TEL: 51-5363/FAX: 51-5273
Asahikawa Driving License Examination Center
Chikabumicho 17-chome 2699-5, Asahikawa 070-0821
TEL: 51-2489