Today I successfully renewed my driver’s license and I thought I would document the process here, in English, for use by Tajima ALTs in the future. License renewal will probably only affect those of you who stay longer than three years but be sure to check the expiration date on your license.
DISCLAIMER: This information is simply a recount of my own experience. The process can and may change. Your own situation may be different than mine. Make sure you double check everything you need to do before going. Fluency in Japanese is very helpful in this process because it requires reading, writing, as well as listening to and following instructions. If you need help, bring a fluent friend/co-worker.
Special thanks to Lydia who wrote up of her own experience for me before I renewed. It was very helpful.
WHAT TO BRING: black pen, license, inkan, renewal postcard (if you have), pin number card (if you have). I would bring your gaijin card just in case, as well.
WHERE/WHEN: Yoka Driver Licensing Center on Sunday. They open up at 9 am, but get there early as it will be crowded. You can renew your license up to one month before or one month after your birthday. Earlier is better. If things go smoothly you should be done by noon.
HOW: Here is a basic flow chart of the process:
(1) A little before 9 am a guy should come out and explain the process for license renewal (unten menkyou koushin). He will explain the flow and a little about the form you need to fill out.
(2) Get the form and fill it out. It is fairly simple and there should be examples to look at. You basically just need to copy information from your license: name, birth date, license number, restrictions, the date range the license is valid for, and you have to check a box that says you are not ill or otherwise impaired. Ability to write kanji is needed here.
Note: if your address has changed you will need to fill in your new address and old one. If your address changed and you already changed it at a police station or licensing center (they should have written the new address on the back) then there is no need to indicate a change on this form. Just circle “変更ない” for the address and leave the address field blank. Make sure you also sign the form in the highlighted 署名 box.
(3) Get in line with everyone else. Probably you will start at window 1. While you are waiting there should be a guy going through double checking forms, so have it out with your license and renewal postcard so he can check.
If you do not have the renewal postcard go to window 4 first and the guy there needs to scan your license and put some stuff on your form and then you can get into the main line for window 1.
(4) At the window you will pay your fee and they put payment stamps on your form.
(5) Next, you have a simple eye test. Tell them if you are wearing contacts.
(6) After that you hand in your postcard and form.
(7) After handing in the paperwork you will take your picture. If you have your security code pin card then you just run it through a bar code scanner and take your picture. If you don’t have it, I think you need to punch in your old pin and make a new one at a separate spot before taking your picture.
(8) When the photograph is taken they will hand you a slip of paper that tells you when your safety course starts. Go to the second floor and the room that is written on the paper. My class started at 9:30 and I was able to go directly there.
(9) The course is about two hours long and consists of two videos and a power point presentation. Pay attention, do not eat or sleep or fiddle with your keitai. If you need to go to the bathroom, hold it. After the course is done you sign, date and stamp the course slip and then take it to the instructor who adds his own stamp. People who came in late had to stay after to watch the portions they missed.
(10) Take the stamped slip downstairs and hand it in and they will give you your new license. Verify all the information on it is correct before leaving. Congratulations!
Some useful links (in Japanese):
http://www.police.pref.hyogo.jp/tetuduk ... /index.htmhttp://www.police.pref.hyogo.jp/tetuduk ... /index.htm
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