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Alright, folks, let me tell you about my little adventure trying to get a Japanese driver’s license online. I’ve been living in Japan for a while now, and I figured it was high time I got myself a local license. I mean, I could drive here using my international permit, but that was only good for a year, and honestly, I was tired of carrying that thing around.

So, I started digging around to see what I needed to do. First thing I did was check if I was even eligible. Turns out, if you have a license from another country, you can switch it over to a Japanese one, which they call “Gaimen Kirikae”. Sounded easy enough, right? Wrong!

Checked my eligibility

I hit up the local Driver’s License Center website, and boy, was that a maze. But I found out that I needed to have held my foreign license for at least three months and be a resident of Japan. Check and check. Phew! I was good to go, or so I thought.

Gathered the necessary documents

Next up, I had to gather a bunch of documents. My foreign driver’s license, my passport, my residence card, a certified translation of my foreign license, and a few other things. Getting the translation was a bit of a pain. I had to find a certified translator, and let me tell you, they don’t come cheap. But I got it done.

• My foreign driver’s license
• My passport
• My residence card
• A certified translation of my foreign license

Filled out the application form

With all my documents in hand, I went ahead and filled out the application form. It was all in Japanese, of course, but luckily, I’ve been studying the language, so I managed to muddle through. I had to provide all sorts of details, like my driving history and medical information. I even had to get a vision test done at a local clinic. They really don’t make it easy, do they?

Submitted the application online

Now, here’s where I thought I could save some time. I figured I could just submit everything online, right? Nope! Even though I was applying online, I still had to go to the Driver’s License Center in person to submit my application and take a written test. So much for an “online” application!

Took the written and practical tests

I scheduled an appointment online, which was a small mercy. When the day came, I went down to the center, handed in my application, and took the written test. It was ten questions, all about Japanese traffic rules. I had studied up, so I felt pretty confident. And guess what? I passed! But that was just the beginning. I still had to take a practical driving test. Let me tell you, that was nerve-wracking. I had to drive around a designated course, following all the rules and showing off my skills. It felt like I was 16 again, taking my first driving test.

Finally got my Japanese driver’s license

After what felt like an eternity, the instructor told me I passed. I was over the moon! I paid the license fee, got my photo taken, and a few weeks later, my shiny new Japanese driver’s license arrived in the mail. I couldn’t believe it. I actually did it!

So, that’s my story of getting a Japanese driver’s license, sort of online. It was a long and complicated process, but I learned a lot along the way. If you’re planning to do the same, be prepared for a bit of a headache. But trust me, it’s worth it in the end. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go for a drive!