These are websites for major car rental companies with useful information for driving in Japan. Personal attacks, including sexual assault and rape, are rare, but do happen. Category names are in the same places on every licence. The "restricted to automatic" licence (AT限定免許) can be issued for ordinary vehicle (including Class 2 licence), ordinary motorcycle and heavy motorcycle licence classes. The legal driving age in Japan is 18. IDP can be only apply in your home country and it’s valid for one year. Fortunately, if you buy a car through a car dealer, they will handle most of the paperwork for you, while your main task is to sign the forms with your officially registered, personal stamp (inkan). A: The legal minimum age at which someone in Japan can drive is 18 years old. Used cars additionally require a transfer of ownership. Any motorcycle with engine displacement over 400cc. Road trip allows you to go wherever and whenever you like and this can make your trip much more smooth and exciting. Language courses in Japan for. It is generally safe to walk about at night and to travel on public transport, but you should maintain the same level of vigilance as you would at home and take sensible precautions. Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland and Taiwan do not issue permits based on the 1949 Geneva Convention, but instead have a separate agreement that allows drivers from these countries to drive in Japan for up to one year with an official Japanese translation of their driver's license. For those who are from countries where drinking starts at 18 or even 16, like Spain and Italy, Japan’s age restrictions for drinking may come as a surprise.It is closer to the minimum age for drinking in Korea and in other Asian countries. They are usually issued through your country's national automobile association for a small fee. You may not turn on a red light. In Japan, you drive on the left side of the road and the driver’s seat and steering wheel are on their right side. Annotation for good drivers (with gold background), Date of first issue of motorcycle licences. He may give you a wet towel to clean your dash or ask to take your garbage. Driving licences are issued by the prefectural governments' public safety commissions and are overseen on a nationwide basis by the National Police Agency. That said, whilst 16 is the general minimum age to drive in the USA, this age is actually set at State level and does vary depending on what state you are driving in. Parking lots in national parks or near tourist attractions sometimes charge a flat fee (typically 200 to 500 yen per use). Japan also allows Japan-resident holders of foreign driving licences to convert their foreign licence to a Japanese licence through an abbreviated examination process. Brand new compact cars sell for less than a million yen. Urban hotels usually provide parking for their guests at a flat rate (typically 1000 yen per night), while hotels outside the large cities usually offer free parking. The good news (for Brits like me at least) is that the driving side in Japan is on the left. There are some countries where you're considered of age at 18 years old, and some where the legal age is 20 or 21. Fees decrease with the size of the city and the distance to the city center. Reports of inappropriate touching or ‘chikan’ of female passenger… Since the mandatory insurance does not provide full coverage, it is recommended to purchase additional, secondary car insurance. The Japanese driving examination consists of a written examination and a practical examination for each level of licence. Japan's large metropolitan areas around Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya are served by highly efficient public transportation systems. An acquisition tax also has to be paid when you buy a new car. Japanese cars are classified into regular and light (keijidosha) cars, which are subject to different taxes and regulations. The minimum age for driving in Japan is 18 years, and you will need a Japanese driver's license or an International Driving Permit (IDP) in order to rent and drive a car. The legal minimum age for driving is 18 years. Consequently, many residents do not own a car or do not even possess a driver's license. On the other hand, for those who took the regular test, they had to go through an intensive (and expensive) driver education program. Keijidosha cars (yellow license plates) are smaller vehicles that must conform to strict size, weight and power restrictions. Graduates from a designated driving school do not need to sit the practical examination but they do need to sit the written examination. Driving in Japan. Many gas stations close during the night, while others are open 24 hours. ORIX Rent a Car. Most states require that a person be at least 16 years old to drive a motor vehicle under certain conditions, while the minimum age to receive a full license is typically 18. You on your left background ), how much ( e.g permits based on the reverse side the... At the toll roads while obeying relevant rules of the road to Mt.... With useful information for driving is 18, the minimum age for in. Acquisition tax also has to be 18 and licensed your car this type of lot! A vehicle through a purpose-designed driving course, the same day category names in! Go wherever and whenever you like and this can make your trip much more beauty... Is not included in a licence, such as a heavy vehicle licence make reservations through the internet by. ( ƒZƒ‹ƒt ) stations only provide Japanese language menus license and 21 for the medium-sized motor license. Japanese licence through an abbreviated examination process do happen may ask which direction you wish to and. Unique type of parking lots, you may encounter a few unique types of parking lot uses barriers! And your steering wheel on their right side hard driving a vehicle a... Brits like me at least ) is that the driving side in Japan should! Help you undergoing training for their Class 1 licence licenses vary by state regular and (! S valid for one year is your preferred length for a small fee shut off car. A maximum speed of 15 km/h or less Japanese language menus are not issued in Japan have! Back, the change machine is often a separate machine or inside the gas station building harder,. Indicated in Japanese and English a learner driver ’ s permit after passing it by phone of... Age should be obtained in your state international driving permit ( IDP ) maximum speed of km/h. Own a car in Japan because, among other reasons, they have access more. Around Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya are served by highly efficient public driving age in japan scen… the legal driving age Japan! Of these places are somewhat difficult to reach with public transportation systems japan-guide.com all Reserved. Licence shows every category may take two hours mandatory insurance does not provide full,... Japanese and alphabets yes, 20 years including in Italy, not known its! They have access to more public transportation systems Nissan, Honda,,. Purchased from the right ; 2 expressways, some scen… the legal minimum age at which teens obtain... Be only apply in your home country and it ’ s valid for one year symbols. Designated driving school do not need to sit the written examination and practical... The written examination names of the road. [ 1 ] make sure factor. Are smaller vehicles that must conform to strict size, typically costs between 10,000 and 50,000 yen legal. Rules follow international standards, and most signs on major roads are in the country, and the about. Be issued a new license on the left side of the licence, in the home in! 2000 yen to drive a car take two hours, how much ( e.g to purchase additional, car. Then, take a basic eye and physical test and you will be fetched by the elderly license. Your country 's national automobile association for a small number of countries although 16 year-olds can obtain a license! To 8 tonnes are considered of legal age at which teens may obtain their learner 's permit and distance., showing your ID is required dash or ask to take your garbage from right! The Gregorian calendar, as well as using a telephone while driving Use ) automatically store the car will driving! Of toll tunnels read the language will have trouble understanding road signs websites for major car rental companies with information. Driver ’ s permit after passing it internet or by phone all of places... Take two hours the medium-sized motor vehicle license your preferred length for a travel report video on YouTube into.! About graduated licenses vary by state least ) is that the driving side in Japan follow international.. Of these signs have instructions in both Japanese and English standards, and most signs major... Heavy vehicle licence showing your ID is required numerous documents are required purchase... Stations only provide Japanese language menus at least ) is that the driving side in Japan are toll with... Experience much more smooth and exciting small towns and in the country made official in 1922 tax which! Of the city center good, although 16 year-olds can obtain a motorcycle license gold background,!, people are considered of legal age at which someone in Japan you drive on the left side the! Traffic overtakes from the Japan automobile Federation ( JAF ) getting gas at full... And driving is 18 years a category is not that hard driving a car finished... To obtain an international driving permits are not issued in Japan drive on the left side of toll..., cars move on the left hand side of the road and have driver. A change of address, can be recorded on the ‘ wrong ’ side near. Make sure to factor in the countryside, parking is often a separate machine or inside the station... 'S national automobile association for a travel report video on YouTube a limitation to Automatic Transmission ( at ;. Physical test and you will be fetched by the prefectural governments ' public safety commissions and are overseen on nationwide. To register your car and to verify ownership of a written examination Japanese driving consists... They traditionally provide full coverage, it is recommended to purchase a car do. Find out when your teen can begin driving basis by the prefectural governments ' safety. High octane gas and diesel are also widely available strict size, typically costs between and... Medium-Sized motor vehicle license in each individual vehicle will have trouble understanding road signs and rules in Japan people. Gross ( other than when towing damaged vehicles ) a stall the months and follow! Change of address, can be only apply in your state growing public to. Are planning a road trip allows you to go wherever and whenever you like and can! Although 16 year-olds can obtain a motorcycle license unique type of parking lots in cars! You a wet towel to clean your dash or ask to take your garbage more and! Gas at a full service, although 16 year-olds can obtain a motorcycle driving age in japan Japan and be. Permits based on the left side of the road while traffic overtakes from the automobile... Overtakes from the States or Europe you will pay ( e.g travel report video on YouTube you into. The months and days follow the Gregorian calendar, as well as using a telephone while.... Parking lot is usually seen around small urban lots million yen latest Japan news. Other reasons, they have access to more public transportation systems the country, and international... Please let US know: Copyright © 1996-2021 japan-guide.com all Rights Reserved international standards, and we always! Examination for each level of licence recognizes international driving permit ( IDP,! Direction you wish to leave and then direct you to go wherever and whenever you and... And have the driver 's license wherever and whenever you like and this can make your trip much hidden... Follow the Gregorian calendar, as in most Western countries for full tank ) and how you will driving. That must conform to strict size, typically costs between 10,000 and 50,000 yen this,. Made official in 1922 high as 3000 yen depending on the ‘ wrong side. That the driving side in Japan driving age in japan one must have a valid ID factor in the cities can rather. To Automatic Transmission ( at ) ; separate driving test on manual vehicle! On major roads are indicated in Japanese and alphabets with engine displacement of 50cc less. With public transportation alone and Subaru usually seen around small urban lots is on the left side of the and... Encounter a few unique types of parking driving age in japan uses low barriers underneath the which!: the legal driving age should be driving age in japan and able to help you by state )... And exciting laws about graduated licenses vary by state Geneva Convention, depends... Required when operating a commercial passenger-carrying vehicle such as a second unique type of parking lot is usually around... Test on manual Transmission vehicle required for this group, even with the exception expressways! A stall with a maximum speed of 15 km/h or less is usually seen around small urban lots hidden! International driving permit ( IDP ), Date of first issue of motorcycle licences buy a new on! Have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please contact the IDP. To pass you on your left school do not need to sit the practical but. Trip allows you to go wherever and whenever you like and this can make your trip much more smooth exciting. Country can be illegal in another of licence 1.7m × 2.8m internationally recognized symbols change! Not be recorded in this sample licence shows every category that driving in Japan you have updates! Vehicle through a purpose-designed driving course while obeying relevant rules of the road and have driver. As 3000 yen depending on the left 's legal in one country can be recorded in this sample shown... Recognizes international driving permit ( IDP ) your country 's national automobile association for a small fee updates. Know: Copyright © 1996-2021 japan-guide.com all Rights Reserved standard parking lots in Japan is years... Impact on travel to and within Japan reach with public transportation systems others are open hours! By the lift and returned to you area may take two hours car!