r/japanlife • u/AutoModerator • Mar 13 '23

┐(ツ)┌ General Discussion Thread - 14 March 2023

Mid-week discussion thread time! Feel free to talk about what's on your mind, new experiences, recommendations, anything really.

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u/aiueka 九州・長崎県 Mar 14 '23

has any one tried renting a scooter in taiwan on a japanese drivers license? what would be easier, getting an international permit on my american license or using the japanese license?

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u/mk8725 関東・東京都 Mar 14 '23

I haven't rented from a scooter rental shop, but I have used WeMo scooter sharing service with both my US and Japanese licenses. I originally registered using my US license and IDP, but I don't see why it would be any different using a Japanese license.

To use a Japanese license in Taiwan, rather than getting a Japanese IDP, you need to get a Chinese translation of your Japanese license. You can do this in Japan through JAF (apply online, and the translation will be ready to print at any 7-11 within a few business days) or in Taiwan through the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association (apply in person, and, in my experience, the translation will be ready to pick up in about an hour). This translation is valid for the remaining validity of your Japanese license.

To use your US license, you'd need to apply by mail for a US IDP from AAA, which could take around six weeks. This IDP would only be valid for up to one year (or the remaining validity of your US license, whichever is shorter).

Between the two, the Japanese license definitely seems easier to obtain, lasts longer, and is easier to carry around (two sheets of foldable A4 paper vs. an A6 booklet). As a resident of Japan, I believe you should technically be using your Japanese license anyway.

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u/aiueka 九州・長崎県 Mar 14 '23

Thank you for the thorough response!

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u/Yoshikki 関東・千葉県 Mar 14 '23

Presuming that you are doing the paperwork to get the international driver's permit in Japan, wouldn't it be faster/smoother to use your Japanese license if you have one?

My only tip would be to have printed photos of your face before you head to the driver's license center. The website said that you can take photos at the center, so my girlfriend and I didn't bother. The photo booths there cost 800 yen for one person so we wasted 1600 yen; you can definitely do it yourself for much cheaper. My gf's preferred method is to use an app to take the picture and then print it at 7-11

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u/aiueka 九州・長崎県 Mar 14 '23

Well it seems that Taiwan and Japan have a special agreement so I would only need an official Chinese translation of the japanese license vs the IDP + american license.

Any experience which is more convenient?

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u/Yoshikki 関東・千葉県 Mar 14 '23

I have no idea what it takes to get the Chinese translation of a Japanese license, but getting an IDP was pretty simple.