My experience at the driving centre.
Konosu is my 'local' centre to visit to do the change over. I am lucky to be British today as we are able to take the required documents and have an eye check and get the Japanese licence... so I am told!
Konosu driving centre is a bus ride (5mins) from Konosu station (which in turn is about 20 mins from Omiya).
I went to JAF last year to translate my UK licence, buy it was on the day of the earthquake, so even though I got my licence (after also visiting immigration and attempting to renew my visa), there have been a few hiccups since. This cost us ￥3000.
It is important to check what is needed at each centre as it could differ. I was told, that after the translation, I would need proof of living in UK for three months after getting my licence....when I was 17!!!!
It was time to call my mother and get her to help me dig up this ancient passport. Then, getting it took a while as I did not trust then post, so waited until I could go and pick it up myself.
We had phoned a couple of times to see if my university certificate (which would prove what they wanted to know more than a European passport with countless stamps in would) but to no avail.
I did find out (unlike some others on blogs I had read - see below) that you need the residents certificate - Juumin-hyoufrom your ward office as well. Do not forget this!
So, I rocked up today, green lights at each crossing, a bus waiting for me at the station..you know the kind of day. Even the receptionist was friendly. I had to head straight to the second floor and wait. And wait and wait. Actually, it was only half an hour, but I had hoped that whole thing would be finished by half past 11.
I arrived at five to 10. It is worth noting that the room is open at 10am, but you can start lining up from 9.40 and you may even get seen.
The policeman who dealt with me was really friendly too. (I think I read only bad horror stories...).
I was however very nervous. I realised that I forgot to bring number two passport (my first and third should have been enough...) and I forgot my university certificate as I had wanted as much proof as possible.
Anyway, he tried to check each stamp in the passport that I used from 1995 and I explained that in Europe they don't always stamp, actually I had to ask for them, but he was worried about entries into one country then nothing out.
He was very thorough checking everything, and my heart was beating fast even though nothing was amiss.
He stamped the forms, and we made an appointment for 1pm. Yes, there was more to come and he told me I should be finished by 3.30. I was to buy some stamps for my form...around ￥2400.
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| Counters 1& 2 are for the foreign licence exchange (and eye tests) |
At 1pm prompt, the shutters to the counters opened. We were led through for the eye test, which took ten seconds. You can even answer in English - up down, red, blue. Easy.
Then, I was sent up to the third floor, room 6. I was the only one from the group foreigners; my heart was pounding...it still is...I am sitting in the exam room, so I had to check - I am not ready for a test!
The policeman was due (at 1.45...) to talk to us about safety on the road.
I was wondering which would be more boring...
Well, the guy came and babbled the fastest Japanese to everyone which was crazy; he was obviously up against the clock. Before he began his rant, he did say to me that it didn't matter if I didn't understand it anyway! He then went on to talk about the three people who failed their test today (including one foreigner...hey ho)
Then the guy led everyone out with me...ME at the front of the queue being fast-tracked to the counter to receive my card. I had to collect another ￥2050 worth of stamps and await my card.
After a quick picture, mouth closed (!) I was goof to go! And an hour earlier than expected too!
All in all, it was no a bad experience knowing that I didn't have tests along the way, but it didn't feel like that.
My advice - read around, but be prepared.
Double check your own offices requirements and be sure you have each document ready.
The blogs below helped and didn't help me in my preparation...Luckily, I was OK!!!
GOOD LUCK!!!
THIS GUY HAD A COUPLE OF CRAZY VISITS TO THE CENTRE, BUT FOR A CANADIAN, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN EASIER!!
THIS GUY WAS A BIT MORE INSPIRING AND MADE ME FEEL MORE RELAXED BEFORE I WENT
