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Hachinohe Living Guide（はちのへの暮らし方）
Citizen Collaboration Promotions Section
Hachinohe City

VOL. 4
じ ど う し ゃ めんきょ

Driver License (自動車免許)(For those possessing a driver license issued by their own country or an international drivingpermit)

1. In order to drive in JapanYou must possess one of the following:
1.

A Japanese driver license

2.

An International driving permit
https://www.npa.go.jp/policies/application/license_renewal/have_DL_issed_another_country.html

3.

A driver license of a nation/province that has licensing system standards equivalent tothose in Japan.
(Currently: Swiss Confederation, Federal Republic of Germany, French Republic, Kingdomof Belgium, Principality of Monaco, Taiwan, etc.)
A written translation prepared by an authorized translator needs to accompany thelicense.

The valid driving period in Japan
1.

Japanese driver license: within the expiration date written on your license

2.

International driving permit and native country’s driver license; the shorter period of thefollowing two;
- One year from the day of arrival to Japan- The expiration date on the International driving permit(The International driving permit is not valid if the native countries’ driver license hasexpired.)3.

A driver license from the following 29 countries/province given below can be switched toa Japanese driver license by submission of the required documents and passing of thewritten test and aptitude test(visual acuity, auditory acuity, color visual acuity, etc.).
Iceland, Ireland, United States (limited to Ohio, Virginia, Hawaii,
Maryland and Washington), United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Austria,Netherlands, Canada, South Korea, Greece, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain,
Slovenia, Czech Republic Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Hungary,Finland, France, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Monaco, Luxembourg, Taiwan
In addition, a driver license of the United States (Indiana State only,) can also be switched
to a Japanese driver license by submission of the required documents and passing of thewritten test and the aptitude test.
・Please check the homepage for detailed information.
https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/menkyo/menkyo/kokugai/kokugai05.html

English Version
2. How to obtain a Japanese driver license
In order to drive in Japan, you need to switch your native country’s driver license to the Japaneselicense. With the documents and a driver license that meets the following requirements, theprocedure can be simplified.
・ Documents proving that the driver license holder stayed in one’s native country formore than three months in total after getting a driver license.
・ Valid driver license issued by one’s native country
Documents required for application
1. Application form (prepared at the examination site)
2. Admission ticket (prepared at the examination site)
3. Health declaration form (prepared at the examination site)
4. Resident Card and Certificate of Residence (jyuminhyo) containing domicile of origin
5. Currently valid driver license issued by the foreign government agency
6. Translation of a driver license(The translation should be done by JAF or a consulate of one’s native country)
7. Passport verifying that the holder stayed for three months or more in the country whichissued the driver license
8. Two ID photos (3 cm x 2.4 cm, upper body, no hat, no background, taken within the pastsix months)
9. Fee for examination: 2,550 yen
Fee for delivery: 2,050 yen
Application and Examination Site
Aomori Driver’s License Center
Address: 198-4, Sannaimaruyama, Aomori
TEL: 017-782-0081
Open Monday through Friday 13:00~13:30
Notes
・ Appointment is necessary to apply for obtaining a Japanese driver’s license. Please callthe Driver’s License Center once you have all the required documents ready.
・ Procedure includes a review of the documents and a written and practical road test.
・ Those who will take the practical road test for a motorcycle driver license need to bring
the following; a helmet, gloves, boots, a long-sleeve top, and long pants.
Further information
Aomori prefecture Police Headquarters, Traffic Bureau, License Division, Driving
School Section (in Aomori Driver’s License Center)
Address: 198-4 Sannaimaruyama, Aomori
TEL:017-782-0081

English Version
Japanese Translation Service for Overseas Driver Licenses
ZIPLUS(ジップラス)[How to apply for the translation service]
Please check the homepage to apply for the service.
https://ziplus.jp

JAF:[How to apply for the translation service]
Bring the required documents listed below to the Translation Service Counter at the JAF, or mailthem to the office by “Genkin Kakitome” (registered mail for cash) together with the issuance fee.
[Documents Required]
1. Japanese translation application form: the application form can be downloaded from the JAF
homepage (http://www.jaf.or.jp/inter/translation/index.htm).
To request the form to be mailed to you, contact the JAF Aomori Branch Office (017-765-5225).
2. A photocopy of the overseas driver license: the photo copy must be clear and of both sides (frontand back) of the license respectively, if at all possible in color.
3. A photocopy of the Residence Card: this is required only for licenses written in Arabic or Russian,or the licenses issued by certain nations such as the Republic of Korea, the Kingdom of Thailand,
the Union of Myanmar and the Russian Federation.
[Fees] 3,000 yen (An additional fee of 500 yen is required for return postage when an application issubmitted by mail)[Time required]
Applications made directly at the JAF counter: Generally 2 weeks
Applications made by registered mail: About one week (it takes 2-3 weeks for applications that
require a copy of the Alien Registration card)[Further Information]
JAF Aomori Branch Office
Address: 9-12 Kirinosawa Komagome, Aomori, Aomori 030-0955
TEL: 017-765-5255

2023/5