Has anyone here renewed their Japanese driving licence?

[captainspoke]

Not sure if this is nationwide, but after 70, the notice I got instructed me to go to a driving school for a refresher and testing--very thorough eye tests, and at the end some actual driving on their course (seemed like the final rubber stamp).

It cost something like ¥6-7000 yen, had to reserve well in advance and did it with a group of 8-9 oldies. They issue a certificate, which then lets you whiz thru the license center. A form or two, another fee, picture, then wait for you group's licenses to be done.

Still gold, but my renewal cycle is now three years, so something to look forward to...

[Deep Blue]

You can take the lecture online now. At least I could a few months ago when renewing a gold licence in Hokkaido. They take your photo and ask you questions every now and again (all automated) to make sure you're actually watching

How do you get the license, they post it?

[northSaver]

How do you get the license, they post it?

No, had to get it from the local police station. They knew I'd watched the lecture somehow. Had to do the eyesight check thing too.

[beanhead]

You can take the lecture online now. At least I could a few months ago when renewing a gold licence in Hokkaido. They take your photo and ask you questions every now and again (all automated) to make sure you're actually watching

Must be a Hokkaido thing. Myself and Mrs H have renewed recently here on the Kanto plain, and no such newfangled technology was offered.

[northSaver]

Must be a Hokkaido thing. Myself and Mrs H have renewed recently here on the Kanto plain, and no such newfangled technology was offered.

Yeah. After a quick plunge into our collective memory pool the missus and I now think that it was a pilot scheme offered in Hokkaido and maybe a few other prefectures before being rolled out nationally - or not, as the case may be. I can't see the technically challenged being over impressed with it but for the rest of us it's a pretty nice development. So watch out for it when you get your next renewal notice

[Deep Blue]

Does it really save any time though? If you have to go to the station for eye test and license pick up, seems it would only save a few minutes at best?

[northSaver]

Does it really save any time though? If you have to go to the station for eye test and license pick up, seems it would only save a few minutes at best?

It saves a bit of time because you don't have to go to the driving lecture place, which is different to the police station in my town. But it's mostly just more convenient - you can do it wherever and whenever you want. I'll definitely be choosing it again if possible.

[Deep Blue]

Oh right ok, definitely good if it saves a trip!

[Block]

Thank you for the replies all. My license is green.

[Moneymatters]

This watching the video online is targeted to be rolled out all across Japan by the end of 2024.. and so long as it’s not the people in charge of movie release schedules, this deadline might be kept!

https://www.k-ksk.com/driver-license/

30 mins for us Gold card holders. A whole hour for the wannabes. And for those still with the training wheels or unable to follow the rules of the highway your IRL instructor will see you now…
Also looks like you need a mynumber card. So if you want to scream ‘totalitarian state’ please do so now. (Ideally under the threshold of your mobile phone’s mic...)

As I’m “head of hanko” at work (not home obviously..) I’m keen to see any form of.. oh.. “オンライン化” and just hope there isn’t some arbitrary rule to disenfranchise one group or another for no good reason.

更新期間が満了する日の年齢が70歳以上の方は、オンライン講習の受講はできません。

Oh FFS.