暮らしの手引き広島 第６章 生活一般
5 Traffic Rules(1) Driver’s License① To drive a car in Japan
When you drive a car or motorcycle in Japan, you must have a valid Japanese drivinglicense or international driving permit. You must also carry your driver’s license with you
when driving a car or motorcycle. The following driver’s licenses are valid in Japan:② Driver’s licenses valid in Japan
A Driver’s license obtained in JapanB

International driving permit issued by countries that have signed the Geneva Convention
on Road Traffic* You need to confirm with a drivers’ license center or a police station that yourinternational driving permit is valid in Japan.

CForeign driver’s license issued by a foreign administrative office (only in Germany,Switzerland, France, Belgium, Taiwan or Monaco) and a Japanese translation of theforeign driver’s license* The relevant driver’s license is valid in Japan only if you have the Japanese translationof the driver’s license, which is produced by an embassy or consulate of the country thatissued the relevant driver’s license, or the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF), as well
as a passport.
* A foreign driver’s license is valid for one year from the date of your entry to Japan.

③ Switching a foreign driver’s license to a Japanese driver’s license
The holder of a foreign driver’s license can obtain a driver’s license valid in Japan bycarrying out the following procedures at a driver’s license center.
A Conditions

B

Those who have a valid driver’s license issued by a foreign administrative office and havestayed in the relevant foreign country for three or more months since they obtained thedriver’s license
Necessary documents, etc.

139

Guide to Living in Hiroshima Chapter 6 Daily Lives

 Foreign driver’s license Japanese translation of the foreign driver’s license
The Japanese translation must be produced by an embassy or consulate of the country
that issued the relevant driver’s license, or the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) Copy of a certificate of residence stating your nationality
 Passport or other documents (Several documents are required if all of them arenecessary for verification.)
Documentation verifying that you have stayed in the relevant foreign country for threeor more months
 PhotoPhoto of your upper body taken within six months of the application, facing the front
with no hat and no background
Size: 3.0 cm high x 2.4 cm wide Fee Japanese driver’s license (only for those who have already obtained one)
CContent
If you obtained your foreign driver’s license in a specially designated country, you only
need to take an aptitude test. In other cases, you must take an aptitude test, as well as
undergo a traffic rule knowledge check and a driving skill check.

DReception ※Reservation required (phone reservation possible) (Weekdays 8:30-17:00)
Hiroshima Prefectural License Center/Eastern（Fukuyama） License Center
Tel: 082-228-0110 extension: 703-253 (Hiroshima Prefectural License Center)704-262 (Hiroshima Prefectural License Center)Monday to Friday (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays) 8:30–9:00
 13:00–13:30(2) Traffic Rules for Bicycles① Preparation before riding a bicycle○ Theft prevention registration
You must register your bicycle for theft prevention at the bicycle shop where youpurchased it or at another organization.
○ Safety equipment
A bicycle must be equipped with brakes and a horn or bell. Whenyou ride a bicycle at night, the headlight of the bicycle must beswitched on. In addition, it must be equipped with a taillight andreflectors.
○ Key140

暮らしの手引き広島 第６章 生活一般

A bicycle should be equipped with keys. (Two locks arerecommended.)
When you move away from your bicycle, even for ashort time, you are advised to lock it.
○ Insurance
Even in the case of a bicycle traffic accident, the rider of the bicycle may be asked topay heavy compensation. Accordingly, you are advised to purchase insurance to coverdamage.

141

Guide to Living in Hiroshima Chapter 6 Daily Lives② Rules for riding a bicycle○ Prohibition of drunk riding
You are prohibited from riding a bicycle under the influence ofalcohol. Even if you are not drunk, you must not ride a bicycle after
drinking alcohol.
○ Prohibition of riding double
It is prohibited to ride double on a bicycle.
However, if the rider of a bicycle is 16 years old orolder, he/she is allowed to carry another person on thebicycle in the following cases: when one child under the age of six is put on a childseat on the bicycle
 when two children under the age of six are put on abicycle specially designed to carry two children○ Wearing a helmet
When you carry a child under the age of 13 on a bicycle, you
should have him/her wear a helmet.
○ Other prohibited acts
You are prohibited from riding a bicycle while speaking on a cell
phone or smartphone, holding an umbrella, holding a bag in yourhand, or listening to loud music, etc. on earphones.
○ Use of a bicycle parking lot
You should park your bicycle at a bicycle parking lot or otherdesignated place.
If you leave your bicycle on the road, it may be removed.

142

暮らしの手引き広島 第６章 生活一般

③Traffic regulations for bicycles○ Ride a bicycle on the roadAs a rule, bicycles should travel on the road. Bicycles
should also travel on the left side of the road.
○In the case where cyclists are allowed to ride on the sidewalk:

Cyclists and Pedestrians
Only (sign)Children under age 13 and those aged 70 years or older areallowed to ride on the sidewalk.
When there is a sign saying, “Bicycles Permitted,” or when
it is dangerous or prohibited to ride on the road, cyclists areallowed to ride on the sidewalk.
When riding on the sidewalk, cyclists should travel slowly

Road Closed to Bicycles(sign)

along the road-side of the sidewalk. If there is a possibility ofblocking the passage of pedestrians, cyclists should stop or get
off the bicycle.
○ Observe traffic lights.

(1)

(2)

Cyclists must observe the traffic lights (1)with a sign saying, “Pedestrians and Bicycles
Only,” or traffic lights for vehicles (2) if there isno traffic light (1).
○ Riding in parallel is prohibited.

Riding Abreast Permitted(sign)

Riding in parallel with other bicycles is prohibited, unlessthere is a sign saying, “Riding Abreast Permitted.”
Cyclists should ride in a line.
○ StopCyclists must stop at a crossing or a stop sign toconfirm the safety of both their left-hand and right-handsides.
③ Traffic accidents
In the case of a bicycle traffic accident, cyclists must stop and provide relief to the injured,
as is the case with drivers of vehicles.
They must also report to the police immediately that a traffic accident has occurred andabout the circumstances of the accident. The report can be made by calling the emergency
number 110 on the spot or directly contacting a police station or police box.
143