The Driver's Licence Saga: Post I

I was informed by my employers that I must, under no uncertain circumstances, obtain a driver's licence and buy a car in order to do my job. Of course, I was not made aware of this before making the transition, and of course, I'm to do it on my own time and out of my own pocket, and of course it seems a little unfair to make me jump through these hoops in order to driver around the prefecture and teach English. But let's leave that aside and focus on the actual process myself. We're going to keep a running tally here. Just for my own edification, of course.

( First, some background. )

Today, I began the application process to obtain an official Japanese translation of my American driver's licence. I could have gone to the office to do this in person; unfortunately, my supervisor discovered that it can be done (at greater cost to yours truly) through the mail.

So mail we did. The damage, please:

Translation fee and return postage: $32.90
Special envelope: $2.00
Postage: $1.40
Handling fee: $4.20
Certificate of Residence: $3.00

Currently identified problems:

1) In order to obtain permission to take driving classes and eventually, the driving test, I must present a Certificate of Residence from city hall stating that I live in the prefecture and that I have resided here for over sixth months. Unfortunately, while I've lived in the prefecture for over two years, I can only obtain a CoR for my current address, where I've lived for three weeks.

2) I must present my American driver's licence which states when I obtained my learner's permit, official licence, and every renewal since. This information is of course not on my American driver's licence.

3) I must present every passport, current and expired I have ever owned since obtaining my first driver's licence. This is, of course, also not within the realm of possibility.

All this before I even sign up for driving classes.

Stay tuned for the next edition.

That will be all.