Japanese Car license classes

[sevenhelmets]

Hi folks

Just a quick question, hoping someone will know - what are the different classes for Japanese drivers Licenses?

I just got mine today, and the guy kept reiterating that it was for "Car" only. So I want to know, what does the "Car" class cover - is it tonnage based?

I'm moving apartments end of next month, and I want to hire a small truck from the rental car place - will my license suffice?

Any helpful advice would be MUCH appreciated!

Cheers

Seven

[sevenhelmets]

DUh I think I found the answer already....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driving_licence_in_Japan

[rtfm]

Small trucks are considered cars in much the same way as a pickup truck is. BUT a lot of the rental trucks have standard transmissions, that's a different endoresement. If you took your course and test in an automatic then you have a restricted license.

Easiest way will be to walk into the rental place to make the reservation and show them your license - they'll get the right vehicle.

FYI you can also drive a 50cc scooter on a regular car license.

[sevenhelmets]

Thanks for the reply. I learnt on a manual, so automatic or manual it doesn't matter, but good advice about the "walk into the rental place" bit.....I'll do just that.

[Shakes Spear]

Thanks for the reply. I learnt on a manual, so automatic or manual it doesn't matter, but good advice about the "walk into the rental place" bit.....I'll do just that.

Yea, but his point was that it doesn't matter if you know how to drive a stick. If you took the DL test in an auto then you're only authorized to drive autos, regardless of whether or not you can drive a stick. Comprendes?

[sevenhelmets]

Yea, but his point was that it doesn't matter if you know how to drive a stick. If you took the DL test in an auto then you're only authorized to drive autos, regardless of whether or not you can drive a stick. Comprendes?

I probably should have clarified. I'm from NZ so didn't do the "driving" part of the test, just a "license translation". I've assumed that any restrictions (or lack thereof) were automatically switched over....correct me if I'm wrong.

Regardless, every time I've seen a rental car in Japan, they seem to be auto's, so probably not much of an issue...

[rtfm]

But you are renting a truck, not a car. I've rented 2 trucks here - one was manual and the other was auto.

[Taffy]

I just got mine today, and the guy kept reiterating that it was for "Car" only. So I want to know, what does the "Car" class cover - is it tonnage based?

Yes it is, and "car" was reiterated as it's the only English word the guy knows
He was making sure you don't use your license to ride a bike, or other vehicle.

Yea, but his point was that it doesn't matter if you know how to drive a stick

He doesn't want to drive a stick, he wants to drive a truck

[sevenhelmets]

Yes it is, and "car" was reiterated as it's the only English word the guy knows
He was making sure you don't use your license to ride a bike, or other vehicle.

He doesn't want to drive a stick, he wants to drive a truck

lol

Actually his English wasn't bad. Anyway, thanks for the help guys - I'll just take it as it goes, see what happens....