Getting a Driver’s License in Kyoto

Living near Kyoto University, getting to the Kyoto Driver’s License Center takes about two hours.

I remember not being able to eat breakfast or even take a bath on the day I went to take the driver’s license examination. My mindset the night before was that getting enough sleep was more important than taking a bath. I was overly anxious about the exam and navigating an unfamiliar place.

Sure enough, my fears were manifested. I was probably part of the 2% of foreign nationals there. Around 85% of the people were Japanese youth, while the rest were adults. Every step of the process was in Japanese. Contrary to what I had read in some Google reviews, however, the staff were accommodating and professional throughout the entire process.

One of the hardest parts of getting a license in Kyoto is securing an examination date. Although I graduated from driving school in February, I was only able to book an exam slot about a month later.

If I remember correctly, the first step was to register using a standalone machine, which printed out several documents. After that came the document screening, where the staff confirmed my appointment and checked that all my paperwork was complete. We then waited for the written examination to begin.

Before the exam, I reviewed the study materials provided by the driving school as well as sample questionnaires that were readily available online. Luckily, after the examination, I was able to spot my examinee number on the list of successful applicants.

The written exam lasted until around lunchtime, and we waited again after lunch for the results.

My biggest regret came after I realized that a new photo would be taken immediately after passing the exam for the actual driver’s license. Had I known that beforehand, I probably would have made time for a shower! Good thing people can’t smell me through my license photo.

After that, my photo was taken, my eyesight was checked, and my driver’s license was issued later that day.

It was a rainy day on the east side of Kyoto, but I went home with one more milestone accomplished.