運転免許証

I renewed my driving licence a few days ago; it was my first renewal in Japan and now I have a blue licence. I had to attend a lecture for two hours at the local culture centre, after which I was given my new licence. The lecture included a 20-minute documentary film about road safety.

Several people fell asleep which annoyed the lecturer but they were allowed to receive their new licences anyway.

In the lecture, we were informed of the penalty system for driving offences, accident statistics for Kanagawa Prefecture and new badges for elderly drivers, deaf drivers and disabled drivers.

The experience was interesting and very different to the UK. For a normal car licence in the UK, we don't need to renew our driving licence until 70 years old. In Japan we have to renew our first licence after 3 years and subsequent renewals every 5 years.

I have a PSV (bus) licence too. In the UK, a bus licence must be renewed at 45 years old and every 5 years thereafter. I also have a full motorbike licence and a forklift truck licence.

Please note:

• driving licence (UK)
• driver's license (USA)

Elderly driver (Japan)

Deaf driver (Japan)

Disabled driver (Japan)