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PERSONAL TRANSPORT:

CARS:

ABOUT DRIVING LICENCES:

INTERNATIONAL DRIVING LICENCE:

An international driving licence is valid for 1 year after the date of issue. If you obtain one from your home country after entering the country, the licence is valid for 1 year after the date you entered the country. If you have lived in Japan for more than 1 year, you no longer qualify to use an international driving licence and must obtain a Japanese one.

OBTAINING A JAPANESE DRIVING LICENCE:

If you have a driving licence from another country, you can apply for a Japanese licence from the Licensing Centre in Ino-cho. For a foreign driving licence to be valid for this change, it must have been valid in the country of issue for at least three months before you arrived in Japan.

Necessary Documentation:

  • Driving Licence Application Form (from the Licensing Centre)
  • 1 photograph for the licence (3cm X 2.4cm)
  • Foreign Registration Card
  • Valid driving licence from your home country
  • Passport
  • Translation of your driving licence (translated by the Japan Automobile Federation [JAF] Kochi. Tel: 882-0311)
  • Application Fee (the fee is different as per the type of licence)

Depending on your nationality, you may be required to take a practical road test and undergo an interview. People from the following 19 countries are not required to take a test or interview: Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands and United Kingdom.

TRAFFIC RULES:

  • Always carry your driving licence with you
  • Always fasten your seat belt
  • Always wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle or scooter
  • 50cc motorcycles and scooters must not carry two riders
  • Do not drive a car that has not been professionally inspected or that is not insured
  • Do not park where parking is prohibited
  • Never drive after drinking alcohol
  • Drive slowly when passing pedestrians or bicycles
  • Automobiles, light vehicles (under 660cc), motorcycles and scooters (over 250cc), must have regular official roadworthy inspections called shaken.

 

BICYCLES

TRAFFIC RULES FOR BICYCLES:

  • Bicycles must keep to the left
  • Bicycles must not carry two riders and not be ridden two abreast
  • Do not ride a bicycle while holding an open umbrella
  • Turn on your light after dark
  • Do not park your bike on the raised path for the blind

ABANDONED BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS:

According to Bicycle Parking Laws, leaving bicycles and scooters indefinitely or for a long period of time is prohibited. If you leave bicycles or scooters in prohibited areas they will be removed.

There are parking facilities at both Kochi station and the Obiyamachi shopping area, so please use these areas to park your bike. In some roads around the central shopping district: Obisan Road, Naka-no-hashi Dori and Ohashi-Dori, if you leave your bike for more than two hours, it will be removed to the city holding area. In areas and roads other than the above, your bike will be removed if you leave it for more than seven days. If your bicycle or scooter has been removed, please go to reclaim it at the holding area. You must pay a fee for its return: bicycles ¥1000, scooters ¥2000. For further information, call:

Road Management Division: 823-9461