What kind of driver's licence does one need to operate a simple scooter (50cc) in Japan? Thank you!?

Answer 1

If you are a tourist and if your country have singed the Geneva Conventions, bring international driving license.
But if you are resident in Japan (who registered or returned to Japan within 3 month after left Japan), you need to have Japanese driving license to drive. You can switch your home country's license to Japanese license.

http://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.jp/foreign/submenu.htm

Answer 2

There's two answers to this one depending on whom you ask.

On one side there is the Japanese driver's license which says you can drive up to a 49cc scooter without needing any special permit. If you have an International Driving Permit you can also drive a scooter with no problem.

On the other side there are people saying that an IDP doesn't cover scooters and if you get pulled over by the cops they'll run you in.

My view is this, if you get an IDP and you're allowed to drive a scooter back home on your license, then you can drive one here in Japan as well. If you're not covered back home, you're not covered here.

Answer 3

An IDP entitles you to drive a 50cc bike as IDP entitles you to drive a car, an anyone who has a driver's license can ride a 50cc bike in Japan.

Answer 4

An international drivers licence. You can get one at the post office. You just need to take two passport photos and pay a small fee.

Answer 5

either an international drivers license or a Japanese license that is marked "futsu" which means you can drive standard sized cars.
you can actually drive up to 49cc vehicles with a futsu license or international license (for cars) anything beyond that 50-124cc, 125-249cc, 250cc and up you need certain size limitation bike licenses.

I drive a 249cc scooter, and car so I need a "futsu" license + a "chu-gata bike" license.

Answer 6

Read below:
http://www.alientimes.org/Main/RidingAMotorScooter