.jpg)
Obtaining an International Driver's License
The driver's license we typically use in Japan contains information intended for use within Japan. However, if you already have a driver's license, you can obtain an International Driver's License (International Driving Permit) that allows you to drive in countries specified in the permit.
The International Driver's License is valid for one year. If the expiration date of your original driver's license falls within that period, the International Driver's License will expire sooner, so it's recommended to renew your original license well in advance.
In my case, I am what you might call an "extreme paper driver" in Japan, meaning I rarely drive there, and I have no intention of driving in Malaysia. However, the International Driver's License can be used as an identity document issued by your home country (in my case, Japan), which may come in handy in certain situations, especially when traveling.
There might be scenarios where you're left in an unfamiliar place and have to drive, like in the situation with Nogizaka's taxi driver in the first episode of VIVANT1 (although I hope I don't have to experience that). So, for the "what if" situations and for extended stays abroad like my current study abroad experience, I decided to obtain an International Driver's License while I was still in Tokyo.
Procedure for Obtaining an International Driver's License
I went to the Sazanami Driver's License Testing Center to obtain my International Driver's License. There's an Aeon mall near Shinagawa Seaside station, one of the nearest stations, so I thought I'd do some shopping as well. On weekdays, you can also go to the driver's license centers in Shinjuku or Kanda.
While there are set schedules for obtaining or renewing regular driver's licenses that you need to adhere to, for obtaining an International Driver's License, you can visit the center anytime during their business hours.
Upon entering, the staff at the entrance guided me to the reception area for International Driver's License issuance. It seemed there were many examinees for regular driver's licenses due to the summer break, so I was approached multiple times by staff from other sections, kindly pointing out, "It's over here." But I wasn't going there.
At the reception, they checked if I had all the necessary documents:
Passport
Driver's License
Passport-sized photo (you can take one at the testing center's photo booth if you don't have one)
Fee (2,350 yen)
I was asked about my destination, probably because it's not something people take care of frequently.
After ensuring that I had all the required documents, they provided me with the necessary forms to fill out. There were sample forms available, so you just need to copy the information onto the form.
By the way, because this isn't something you typically apply for, it seemed like they wanted to know the destination country.
Afterwards, you proceed to a different floor to pay the fee. In Tokyo (Metropolitan Police), they've adopted cashless payment for fees. While there's the disadvantage of having to wait for a refund in case of errors, it's convenient not to carry too much cash.
Getting My International Driver's License
After paying the fee, I received my International Driver's License within less than 10 minutes!
They also gave me a pamphlet with instructions on how to sign the license and a list of countries where it's valid. While my destination is Malaysia, if your International Driver's License is still valid, you can use it to drive in other countries as well, so I checked neighboring countries as well.
If you have plans for studying abroad or an extended stay abroad, it might be worth trying to get one as a precaution.
No comments:
Post a Comment