Renting a car on a provisional licence

Hi everyone,

Planning a 2 week trip to Japan in a few months time. Thinking about renting a car but I'll still be on an Australian provisional licence at the time of travel. I was wondering if I can rent a car with my licence in Japan. I notice that there is a lot less restrictions in Japan than in Australia, for example age limit (18 in Japan and 25 in Australia).

Thank you for the replies in advance :)

Cheers,
Keefe

Ask the licence authorities in your country whether you can get an international driving permit based on provisional licence.

It's just that the system is different in Japan - we don't have the additional age requirement for "upgrading."

Thanks AK. I can get an international driving licence with the current one I have. Might double check with the company when I make the booking to confirm I can rent a car with this licence.

Out of curiosity, how does the licencing system in Japan work? Do you have to go through learner and provisional until you get to a full licence? And if you do, can you rent a car with a Japanese provisional licence in Japan?

Keefe

There is only learner's and full. There isn't any "upgrade" like your provisional to full.

Many Japanese people (including myself) go to a driving school to get their licence, and after we've taken the initial classroom lessons about traffic rules, done a bit of simulator lessons, and go through driving lessons (with the instructor in the passenger seat, with an extra brake pedal) in the little driving course at the school, we get a learner's status. With that, we go out onto public roads for "real-life" lessons, again with the driving school's cars (with signs on), with the instructor in the passenger seat, with an extra brake pedal). After some lessons, we'd take the final driving test, and once we pass that, we simply get a "license."

Thanks AK. It seems a lot easier to obtain a licence in Japan than here in Australia haha

Hmmm. Japan sounds like SG.
Two theory tests and one practical.
After first theory can go for classes.
Must complete second theory before practical exam.

Practical has on the road "real" and indoors called "circuit" (Parking and other static obstacles.

Thanks AK. I can get an international driving licence with the current one I have. Might double check with the company when I make the booking to confirm I can rent a car with this licence.
Out of curiosity, how does the licencing system in Japan work? Do you have to go through learner and provisional until you get to a full licence? And if you do, can you rent a car with a Japanese provisional licence in Japan?

Keefe


You need to ask for a international driving permit, not licences, they are two different things.

when you apply from the international driving permit in your country, they will require you to show and provide a copy of you driving license, if you are able to get the IDP, then you will have no problem driving in japan, most of the rental companies only requires you to show the IDP and your passport, these are to two identification that they honor.

Cheers kms. I know the IDP is a must. Thanks for clarifying that I only need my IDP and passport most of the time. Most websites say the IDP need to be used in conjunction with my normal licence.

Keefe

yep, that is correct, most will state that, so it is best if you can provide both in case there are certain changes, the point is, if you can apply for a IDP from your country, it means you have a driving license which will meet their requirements.

as long as your country is part of the 19 September 1949 convention, driving in japan with a IDP is ok.

Thanks very much for this kms :)

Keefe

You do need to take your normal license. It *may* not be asked for, but sometimes it is.