Current International Students
For Driving in Japan
Valid Driver's License in Japan
■In order to drive in Japan, drivers need to hold any one of the following driver's licenses.
Driving without a valid driver's license is punishable.
| 1)A Japanese driver's license |
| 2)An International Driving Permit pursuant to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic; in cases where International Driving Permits are issued by countries or regions that are not contracting parties to the Geneva Convention, or where countries or regions that are contracting parties to the Convention do not issue such permits in the forms prescribed in the Convention, drivers cannot drive with International Driving Permits issued by these countries or regions. |
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3)Foreign driver's licenses issued by Kingdom of Belgium, French Republic, Federal Republic of Germany, Principality of Monaco, Swiss Confederation, and Taiwan. Besides, those are required to be accompanied by Japanese translations prepared by persons prescribed by the Cabinet Order. |
*For more details and the latest information, please refer to the following websites
Traffic Bureau｜National Police Agency (npa.go.jp)
International Driver's License Forms for each country/region(npa.go.jp)
Foreign license/foreign driver's license related(pref.shizuoka.jp)
Period of Driving Permission for Each Driver's License
| 1) Japanese driver's licenses: During the valid period of the Japanese driver's license indicated therein. |
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2) International Driving Permits or 3)foreign driver's licenses: A period of not more than one year after the date of the driver's landing in Japan or the valid period of the International Driving Permits or foreign driver's licenses, whichever is shorter. *International driver's licenses are valid for one year from the date of issuance and are not renewable. |
How to Convert to a Japanese Driver's License
Hamamatsu University school of Medicine strongly recommends that anyone driving in Japan switch to a Japanese driver's license.
We allow ONLY Japanese driver's license holders to park in the parking lot on the premises of the International Residence Hall.
<Application requirements to exempt partially from the driver's license test>
- Have a valid foreign driver's license at the time of application.
- Must have stayed in a foreign country for a total of three months or more after obtaining a driver's license.
*For more details and the latest information, please refer to the following websites
How foreigners can obtain a Japanese driver's license (pref.shizuoka.jp)
Insurance
Compulsory automobile liability insurance"CALI"
Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance "CALI" is a compulsory insurance system that you are required to purchase to compensate victims in the event of a traffic accident. Driving without CALI or not carrying a certificate of CALI insurance is subject to punishment.
Voluntary insurance
Voluntary insurance is a supplement to CALI and compensates for bodily injury, property damage, car damages, and injuries to yourself and your passengers that exceed the coverage limits of liability insurance. In most cases, liability insurance alone is not enough to pay the high amount of compensation in the event of a traffic accident, so please be sure to purchase this insurance.
Traffic Rules in Japan
It is essential to understand and obey Japanese traffic rules to drive in Japan. Some traffic rules may differ from those in your home country, so please refer to the following website to familiarize yourself with Japanese traffic rules and to ensure your safety.