I went to Toride Police Station to renew my driver's license before my birthday.
The police station has jurisdiction over Ryugasaki Police Station, but it is a bit far away. I took the Kanto Railway to Ryugasaki Station, and then walked to the police station for about 20 minutes. The train service is very inconvenient as there are only two trains per hour, and the fare is relatively expensive at 230 yen.
Toride Police Station is also a 25-minute walk from Toride Station, so the walking time is a little longer than that of Ryukesaki Police Station. However, the distance from home is closer to the Toride Police Station. It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes on foot.
Since I am on a diet and lack of exercise, I decided to take the train to Toride on the way out and walk on the way back.
Yesterday was sunny and the temperature rose to about 30 degrees Celsius, but the wind was strong, so it was not hot in the physical sense.
The renewal process was smooth since I am a good driver. 9:15 a.m. I went through renewal procedures, an eye test, and a photo, followed by a 30-minute good driver course, which ended at 10:05 a.m. I was able to renew my driver's license at 10:30 a.m.
The renewal fee is 2,500 yen and the training fee is 500 yen. The membership fee for the safety association is 2,000 yen. This membership fee is optional, but since it is included in the renewal process, it is almost mandatory. Of course, I can refuse, but it is like a neighborhood association, so I join every time.
The next renewal will be valid for 5 years and the next renewal will be at age 71. The Road Traffic Law was revised and the validity period will be 4 years for the next renewal. Furthermore, renewal of a driver's license for those over 70 years of age is now required to take a training course for the elderly.
The course consists of an aptitude test (30 minutes), a classroom lecture (30 minutes), and actual instruction in a car (60 minutes), and costs approximately 6,500 yen to 7,000 yen. The total cost is 12,000 yen including the safety association fee, which is 3,000 yen per year for four years. The fee is 3,000 yen per year divided over four years, which is three times the cost of the previous fee of 1,000 yen per year, and since the license is valid for only three years after the age of 75, the fee is 4,000 yen per year, which is a painful expense for the elderly.
So this is the last time I have a license that is valid for 5 years.。
