| Driving in Japan legally has recently afforded new | | | | a translator explain to me exactly what needs to be |
| challenges to foreigners from China, Brazil and the | | | | done. |
| United States. Released in November 2002 and | | | | I return home to find out why they said I am unable |
| updated in February 2003, Traffic Act Article 107-2, | | | | to drive in Japan, and hop on the net to do some |
| has begun to create many problems for foreigners. | | | | research. After a short time I come to find out that I |
| Until June 2002, Foreigners driving in Japan (who held | | | | can be fined up to 300,000 yen (about $2,800) or |
| a valid drivers license from their home country) could | | | | spend up to a year in prison. Needless to say, my |
| apply for an international driving permit (IDP) and | | | | eyes were bulging out of their sockets. |
| drive in Japan permanently. Since that time however, | | | | A few days later, I go to this police station. I am |
| IDPs are only valid for one year. If a foreigner stays | | | | sweating bullets and to make matters worse they do |
| in Japan for more than one year and decides to | | | | NOT have a translator to explain the situation. |
| reapply for an IDP, they would have to leave Japan | | | | Fortunately, I have a more then basic understanding |
| for at least 90 days in order for the IDP to be legal | | | | of Japanese so I am able to understand that I |
| upon their return. | | | | cannot drive legally in Japan with an IDP. Luckily this |
| Those visiting Japan for a short time, of course IDPs | | | | fairly new law, that has been such a pain for |
| are the way to go. They are quite cheap (around | | | | foreigners, is far from being well known. I am let off |
| $10-20). Beware however there are many sites on | | | | with a warning and told I cannot drive until I get an |
| the internet that offer IDPs for several hundred | | | | actual Japanese drivers license. |
| dollars. These are scam sites and are to be avoided | | | | Fast forward about a month. |
| at all costs. | | | | Discovering that there is only one book in Japan that |
| Quite a few countries have a much easier time in | | | | has been translated into English regarding the laws of |
| obtaining a valid Japanese drivers license when | | | | the road in Japan, I am forced to buy it. This book is |
| compared to the United States. Citizens from | | | | about 90% useless. There was a whole two pages |
| Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Switzerland, Canada or | | | | about driving motorcycles/scooters in Japan. I am |
| Germany can simply have their license translated and | | | | fortunate enough to have some Japanese friends sit |
| officiated after a minimal fee and an eye check. | | | | me down with a Japanese language motorcycle |
| Why are American citizens screwed over? You may | | | | practice test book and ask me some questions that |
| check this link found on the US Embassy in Japan | | | | may be on the test I was preparing for. In less than |
| website and find out why. If you take the time to | | | | a week, I was ready to tackle this test. Or so I |
| read the reasons why as well as the requirements | | | | thought. |
| Japan is asking for in order to overturn this new law | | | | The Japanese scooter test is made up of 48 |
| you may very well cry, or laugh. If you donft want | | | | questions. 45 questions or more must be correct in |
| to take the time to read the reasons and | | | | order to pass with a time limit of 30 minutes. Let me |
| requirements; in short, itfs a better idea to try and | | | | remind you that Japan has been required to have this |
| take the actual Japanese driving test instead of | | | | test in English since the changing of the law so at |
| waiting for this law to be overturned. | | | | least that was one thing in my favor. gPiece of cake, |
| Let us rewind to an actual experience of mine. | | | | done in 15 minutesh! Or so I thought again. |
| Blissfully unaware that my IDP was considered invalid, | | | | Not since Shakespearefs time where double |
| (I had been living in Japan for three years at the | | | | negatives considered a proper grammatical form for |
| time) I parked for a few minutes in a no parking | | | | English! This test took me for so many twists and |
| zone (I drive a 50cc scooter, for its sheer | | | | turns with its EXTREMELY poor translation and its |
| convenience). BIG MISTAKE. I come back to find I | | | | gnoh + gnoh = gyesh terminology that I felt I was |
| have a parking ticket. gOh darn, I have a parking | | | | going to vomit. I took the entire 30 minutes to |
| ticket. Oh well, I may as well go pay the small fine | | | | complete this test with a certainty that I was going |
| and bite the bullet on this oneh. I take my scooter to | | | | to fail. At least I got that part right. |
| a police station and show them my passport and IDP. | | | | So, to all the American citizens living in Japan and |
| After much difficulty in communication it turns out | | | | wanting to drive or currently driving illegally, I would |
| that I cannot legally drive and I must go to the cityfs | | | | suggest taking the driving test in Japanese instead of |
| main police office a few days later so they can have | | | | English. You will likely score higher. S.B. |