About driver's license 

When an international student drives a car in Japan, a Japanese driver's license or an international driver's license is required.

Japanese Driver's License/International Driver's License

To drive a car in Japan, you need one of the following licenses

1. Japanese driver's license 
   Period of validity : until the expiration date of that driver's license
    
2. International driver's license based on the Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva Convention) 
   International driver's license can only be used in Japan if it was issued by a country that is a member of the Geneva Convention.
   Please check the following website.
   ・Countries that are signatories to the Geneva Convention: 　　https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/menkyo/menkyo/kokugai/kokugai04.html 
   ・Valid international driver's license form: https://www.npa.go.jp/ policies/application/license_renewal/pdf/070704idp.pdf
   
   Period of validity: The shorter of the following (1) or (2)
   (1) Within 1 year after landing in Japan
   (2) Within 1 year from the issuance of an international or foreign driver's license
    
3. A license from a country or region whose licensing system is recognized as being of a level equivalent to that of Japan
   (+ Japanese translation required) 
   The following countries are currently eligible.
   ・Switzerland 
   ・Germany 
   ・France 
   ・Belgium 
   ・Monaco 
   ・Taiwan 
   * Japanese translation must be translated by a person specified by a Cabinet Order.
   (e.g., the organization issuing the license, the embassy or consulate in Japan of the country, JAF, etc.)
   
   Period of validity: The shorter of the following (1) or (2)
   (1) Within 1 year after landing in Japan
   (2) Within 1 year from the issuance of an international or foreign driver's license

 

For more information, please check the following websites

• National Police Agency: https://www.npa.go.jp/policies/application/license_renewal/have_DL_issed_another_country.html

 

How to convert a foreign driver's license to a Japanese driver's license 

If none of the above applies to you, there is a way to convert your foreign driver's license to a Japanese driver's license.
This is called a "Gaimen-Kirikae”（Foreign Driver's License Switchover）.
Please refer to the following website for the conditions and required documents for the "Gaimen-Kirikae”.

• Tottori Prefectural Police: https://www.pref.tottori.lg.jp/dd.aspx?menuid=34987

 

If you cannot speak or write Japanese, please be sure to go with someone who can interpret.
If no one is available, please consult with a volunteer interpreter from the Tottori International Foundation.

• Tottori International Foundation: https://www.torisakyu.or.jp/ja/1/komatta/1575/

 

[⚠️ Note] 

• Even if your international driver's license is still valid, it will become invalid if your stay in Japan exceeds one year.
   
• If you have been in Japan for more than one year, you cannot use your international driver's license in Japan even if you get it while leaving Japan for less than three months (e.g., temporarily returning to your home country).
  This is because the condition “within one year of landing in Japan” has already passed.
   
• Driving without a license is a crime!
  Driving without a valid driver's license is considered “driving without a license” and is a crime.
  “I didn't know” or “I misunderstood” are not acceptable excuses.You will be imprisoned for up to 3 years or fined up to 500,000 yen.
  The university will not provide any support for problems related to driving (unlicensed driving, accidents, violations, etc.). You are solely responsible for your own actions.

 

How to check

If you are not sure whether your driver's license can be used in Japan, please consult with the Driver's License Center in advance.

Driver's license centers in Tottori Prefecture: https://www.pref.tottori.lg.jp/dd.aspx?menuid=34797

 

About Automobile Insurance

When driving a car or motorcycle, you must have the following two types of insurance.

Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance (Jibaiseki Hoken) 

This insurance is designed to help people injured in traffic accidents.
All cars and motorcycles are required by law to have this insurance.

*There is a limit to the amount of money that can be compensated by liability insurance.
It can't cover all the costs in case of a major accident!

◆Compensation provided 
・When you injure the other party 
・When you cause the death of the other party

◆NOT Compensation provided
・When you or someone riding in the car with you is injured 
・When you damage the other party's car or property 
・When you need to pay for repairs to your car

Voluntary insurance (Ninni Hoken)

This insurance covers the portion of the liability insurance coverage that is insufficient.
Tottori University students must have voluntary insurance when driving a car.
Even if you do not usually drive a car, you must have voluntary insurance when you rent a car.

◆Contents of coverage (example) 　*Depends on the plan you purchase.
・When you or someone riding in the car is injured 
・When you damage the other party's car or property 
・When you need money to repair your car 
・When the other party is seriously injured and you need a lot of money

An example of an actual expensive accident 

A major accident can pay hundreds of millions of yen.

Amount paid (Approx.)	Victim of accident	Description
528 million yen	Male, 41 years old (doctor)	Died in an accident
397 million yen	Male, 21 years old (university student)	Severe injury (permanent disability)
382 million yen	Male, 29 years old (company employee)	Severe injury (permanent disability)
378 million yen	Male, 23 years old (company employee)	Severe injury (permanent disability)
367 million yen	Male, 38 years old (doctor)	Died in an accident
365 million yen	Male, 14 years old (junior high school student)	Severe injury (permanent disability)

⚠️ If you don't have voluntary insurance, you will have to pay these large amounts yourself!

Even if you think “I should have gotten insurance” after an accident, it will be too late.

Voluntary insurance is an important insurance that protects you.

Be sure to get voluntary insurance when driving a car or motorcycle.

 

Car ownership

If you own a car, you must apply for a garage certificate.

For details, please check the following website.

• Tottori Prefectural Police: https://www.pref.tottori.lg.jp/dd.aspx?menuid=36768