[Sangetsu]

One of my resolutions for the new year (actually made by my gf for me) was to get a Japan drivers license.

For those of you who don't know, obtaining a driver's license in Japan is not like it is in other places, particularly America.

My first step in getting a Japan driver's license was to get my American license translated. This must be done at an official agency (usually the JAF, Japan's version of AAA). I looked up the Tokyo office on Google Maps, and found that it was about a 20 minute bicycle ride away. The office was a modern building located near Shimbashi, and finding it was not difficult. Luckily the office was not busy. I handed my license to the young lady at the counter, and she asked me to wait. 20 minutes and 3000 yen later, I had my translation.

Last Monday morning found me at Kaihim Makurai, where the nearest driver's license center was located. The license center was about 10 minutes walk from the train station, and I arrived early enough to be the first person in line. The window opened, and I submitted my documents, which included my license, license translation, alien registration card, passport, photo, and application. I was told to sit and wait for my name to be called.

20 minutes later my name was called, so I walked back to the window. I was told that I needed to provide proof that I had lived at the address indicated on my license for at least 90 days. I didn't have any such proof at the moment, so I was unable to complete the process. I returned to the station and took the train home.

Fast forward one week. Once again I arrive at Makuhari and walk to the drivers license center. This time I am not so early, but the line is short. I submitted the previous documents and include the only official item which proved I lived at the address on my license for one year, and that was a concealed weapon permit which was issued the following year. The permit raised a few eyebrows, but it was the all the proof I needed. Once again I was told to sit and take a seat.

While waiting, I struck up a conversation with another foreigner who was waiting to take his driving test. This was his second attempt, and he was still angry after having been failed the first time. He was of the opinion (most likely true) that "us gaijin" were failed out of spite, and not for any real mistakes in the test. His name was called for the test in the middle of our conversation, so he had to leave.

The wait was taking some time, luckily for me I had brought a book to read. About 30 minutes later my name was called. Once again there was a problem with my documentation. It turned out that my passport was fairly new (less than 2 years old), while my drivers license was 6 years old. I had entered Japan twice on the previous passport, and before I could get a license, I had to contact immigration in Japan and get records of my previous entries and departures. What any of that had to do with getting a driver's license was beyond me, but the Japanese are bureaucrat's bureaucrats; I was given another form to be filled out and mailed to immigration. I'll have to wait for immigration to send me the documents before I can go return and continue the process.

While this was being explained to me, the man with whom I had been speaking earlier passed by in an obviously bad mood. It seems that he had failed his driving test for the second time. According to what I learned on the internet before going to get my license, foreigners normally must take the driving test 2.4 times before passing.

Anyway, my request forms will be mailed to immigration in the morning. Hopefully I'll receive the records in time to get my license by the end of the month.