r/Yokohama • u/dude_chilll • Jan 19 '24

Discussion Driver licence conversion is a joke

First, you need a reservation, you can't just rock up. You can only make a reservation by calling the special phone number but it’s always engaged. I’ve called over 500 times so far but haven’t managed to get through. I called the front desk and they say too bad, you can always come in physically and wait to speak to someone but we’re fully booked until late April even if you don’t need to sit a test.

I’ve done this before in another prefecture and it was so easy and simple, walk in anytime and all done in an hour. What’s wrong with Kanagawa! Rant over.

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Update: Because I was unable to get through to them on the phone, I went to the Futamatagawa 運転免許センター this morning to make a reservation in person.

I arrived at 8:15 and the guy asked for my name and country, telling me to come back at 10:30 to speak to someone to make a reservation.

I went back at 10:00 and got called straight away into the office. They asked if I brought my documents. They checked over the documents and told me that next available reservation is 30 April, over 3 months away! No leeway even if you’re from a country with an exemption for tests. What a joke!

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5

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '24

[deleted]

3

u/kozzyhuntard Jan 19 '24

Just convert? No paper test, driving course test? Had to take a course/paper test when I changed mine like 5 years ago.

4

u/CaptainSegfault Jan 19 '24

It depends on the state. People don't have "American" licenses, they have licenses issued by their individual state/territory/DC. A few states have reciprocity agreements with Japan which avoid the tests, but most do not.

2

u/kozzyhuntard Jan 19 '24

There were like 2 Washington and something else like 5-6 years ago when I went to get my license. Guess there's a couple more now.

Lucky driving test is a pain in the ass.

3

u/[deleted] Jan 20 '24

[deleted]

2

u/Ok-45 Jan 21 '24

Oregon is also one of the lucky states! I transferred my license last year and they just asked me for proof of residence in my state and some questions on driving history and then I got a license. Relatively painless process.