Has anyone ever been arrested for not having a International drivers license?

[Waderain]

My girlfriend (an American citzen) is visting familiy in Japan and was just arrested in for driving without a international drivers license. I called the US Embassy, they werent much help and as far as that I have no clue what to do. The police will not let me talk to her and are acting like she murdered someone. She is going in for her first hearing but I don't know what to expect. any info would be much appreciative

Thank you

[Derukugi]

Well, if you drive here and don`t have a Japanese license, you need an international one in addition to your national one. Its the law, period. And not only in Japan. Basically, she was driving without a license, which is illegal.
Alas, stupidity does not work as an excuse...

[Sterling]

The US Embassy in Tokyo has the following information:

http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-drive.html

Driving in Japan

Americans cannot drive in Japan with only a U.S. drivers license. Persons found driving in Japan without a legal license are subject to fines, arrest and possible deportation.

"International Driving Permits" are not a medium-to-long term substitute for a Japanese driver's license. You cannot obtain an Internation Driving Permit at the Embassy; see below.

You cannot renew your U.S. license at the Embassy. Renewal by mail is available from some states; find out more for your state here.



International Driving Permits (IDP)
"Residents" are expected to convert or obtain a Japanese drivers license. Persons using an international drivers license who are resident in Japan can be subject to fines or arrest. The exact boundary between "resident" and "not resident" is unclear. In practice it seems to involve more than simply visa status or length of stay in Japan and is determined by the police.

We have heard from several Americans who were told by the police that using an International Driver's License for more than a year, or using one after exiting and then returning to Japan, or using one when you are residing in Japan, or after you have obtained an Alien Registration Card, or after 90 days in Japan, or using a license obtained by mail while you are in Japan, is illegal. In two instances, following accidents, Americans were charged with driving without a license, a serious offense. Driving without a license may also void your insurance coverage.



Obtaining an International Driving Permit
An international driving permit issued in the United States by the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) is required of short-term visitors who drive in Japan.

International driving permits (IDP) are not issued by the U.S. Embassy or by its consulates.

IDP's must be obtained prior to arriving in Japan. They cannot be obtained in Japan.

Note that IDP's are not intended to replace valid U.S. state licenses and should only be used as a supplement to a valid license. In other words, you must also have a valid U.S. state license in addition to an IDP to drive in Japan.

.......<snipped>

Until I read this, my understanding was that one could drive on a home license and IDP up until one year of residency had passed. However, it looks like there is a wide range of interpretations by police including prosecuting those who have less than one year of residency...

If your gf has less than one year of residency, it would probably help to retain a lawyer. There is a reasonable chance that a lawyer might be able to set the record straight on the correct interpretation of the law.

[Hijinx]

My girlfriend (an American citzen) is visting familiy in Japan and was just arrested in for driving without a international drivers license. I called the US Embassy, they werent much help and as far as that I have no clue what to do. The police will not let me talk to her and are acting like she murdered someone. She is going in for her first hearing but I don't know what to expect. any info would be much appreciative

Thank you

Does she have an American DL? The IDL is somewhat of a scam--it's basically a a piece of paper with you photo and a few other languages thrown in to make it look legit. The IDL is not valid without your regular DL anyway. If your GF is not living in Japan, but has a regular DL from the States, go to a JAF and get the DL translated, take it to the cops and show that she is indeed licensed to drive in the States and apologizes sincerely for stupidly failing to pay the ten bucks for the "official" IDL.

[Waderain]

She does have a valid US ID and what had happen was her father was ill and she was driving him to a clinic. When she park the car a truck ran into them. The first cop that showed up was going to let her go but a second cop showed up and took her away. My biggest problem is they won't let me talk to her. I talked to a few lawyers and they all said it's not really worth taking the case because it is a minor offense. If its so minor then why does this seem so complicated? also She is just on vacation and does not live there.

Thanks again

[Hijinx]

She does have a valid US ID and what had happen was her father was ill and she was driving him to a clinic. When she park the car a truck ran into them. The first cop that showed up was going to let her go but a second cop showed up and took her away. My biggest problem is they won't let me talk to her. I talked to a few lawyers and they all said it's not really worth taking the case because it is a minor offense. If its so minor then why does this seem so complicated? also She is just on vacation and does not live there.

Thanks again

Sounds like the second cop has a bug up his butt. They're probably getting her to sign something that will screw her. The guy who ran into your GF might be trying to get out of paying, and might have some connection with the cops. Who the hell knows--the criminal "in"justice system in this country is based on whim for the most part.

[Snowshiro]

My best advice is a grovelling abject apology. Showing remorse often counts for a lot in this country.