Hello everyone. I’m new to Buenos Aires and need to convert my Japanese driver’s license to an Argentine one. The Japanese embassy suggested they could issue a temporary permit. Has anyone navigated the process of getting a driver’s license here? Any guidance or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Newcomer How to Obtain a Driver’s License in Argentina with a Japanese Permit
- Thread starter Hiroshi
- Start date
StatusNomadicus
Well-known member
you sure? whoever told you that, if true, should be able to direct you on how to get it done!
from @BowTiedMara's substack:
"you can only drive a car for 6 months max on a foreign license. If you get into an accident after that, you’re f’d."
Buying a car in Argentina
The road to bureaucracy hell is paved with forms and declarations
www.bowtiedmara.io
i'm in a weird phase where i have a Precaria and have been here 8 months, but no DNI, so i'm sort of stuck in limbo right now, where i don't think i can drive or rent a car technically (could i get away with it? probably), but i can't get an Argentine driver license yet. i don't know the answer, but if you're on a 3-6 month Tourist Visa, no need to get a new license from what i understand. if you have been here longer, and have a Residency now, let me know what you find out @Hiroshi
I recently obtained my driver’s license here in Argentina. Although I have a US license, I was informed that Argentina doesn't have agreements with many countries to transfer licenses. I had to secure residency to get my DNI. I then had to sign up for a class, pass a written test, and complete a practical exam at the municipal office. I was issued a beginner’s license valid for 6 months, which restricts me from driving on highways or main avenues (essentially limiting me to local driving). Best of luck with your driver's license process!
rainbow
New member
I think you can use your Japanese license for up to a year after arriving in the country. After that period, you'll need to obtain an Argentine driver’s license.
Here's the website with all the information:
www.argentina.gob.ar
Here's the website with all the information:
Información sobre Licencias de Conducir Internacionales
**Si sos un extranjero que llega al país y querés alquilar un auto o utilizar tu auto particular para movilizarte por el país**, deberás portar tu documento de identidad válido para circular por el MERCOSUR o tu pasaporte con ingreso a la Argentina, y además tu licencia de conducir, que tendrá...
Blockchain
Well-known member
Are you renting a car @StatusNomadicus? I met an expat that was living in BA for years and he said that he always rents cars while going to Bariloche and other places while on extended trips. He never had any issues. He just said he gets the full insurance when he rents cars. Or are you talking about buying a car? I don't see why you wouldn't be able to drive or rent a car. Just have insurance coverage.you sure? whoever told you that, if true, should be able to direct you on how to get it done!
from @BowTiedMara's substack:
"you can only drive a car for 6 months max on a foreign license. If you get into an accident after that, you’re f’d."
Buying a car in Argentina
The road to bureaucracy hell is paved with forms and declarations
i'm in a weird phase where i have a Precaria and have been here 8 months, but no DNI, so i'm sort of stuck in limbo right now, where i don't think i can drive or rent a car technically (could i get away with it? probably), but i can't get an Argentine driver license yet. i don't know the answer, but if you're on a 3-6 month Tourist Visa, no need to get a new license from what i understand. if you have been here longer, and have a Residency now, let me know what you find out @Hiroshi
Also, if this is anywhere else like most of Latin America, if you get a speeding ticket or something, you can probably always pay the cop to not write a ticket. I have done this several times in Mexico.
Vince
Well-known member
You shouldn't have any issues renting a car @StatusNomadicus. Don't quote me on this but I didn't get my DNI right away after moving here and didn't have any issues at all renting a car. Just get the full insurance while renting. I was already living here and once I got in a fender bender while renting my car but one of the credit cards I used covered the damage. People here in Argentina are not sue crazy like in the States.you sure? whoever told you that, if true, should be able to direct you on how to get it done!
from @BowTiedMara's substack:
"you can only drive a car for 6 months max on a foreign license. If you get into an accident after that, you’re f’d."
Buying a car in Argentina
The road to bureaucracy hell is paved with forms and declarations
i'm in a weird phase where i have a Precaria and have been here 8 months, but no DNI, so i'm sort of stuck in limbo right now, where i don't think i can drive or rent a car technically (could i get away with it? probably), but i can't get an Argentine driver license yet. i don't know the answer, but if you're on a 3-6 month Tourist Visa, no need to get a new license from what i understand. if you have been here longer, and have a Residency now, let me know what you find out @Hiroshi
earlyretirement
Moderator
I'm not sure what the situation is like now but I would agree with Vince that I doubt anyone will know or care. I bought a car many years ago and I never got an Argentina driver's license the first several years that I owned my car. I bought a brand new car from the dealership. It was imported so it took a while to get here but at no time did anyone ever force me to have an Argentine driver's license. Maybe they are stricter with the laws now but I was able to get insurance with my USA driver's license. I traveled around all the time and took it on the Buquebus ferry back and forth from Argentina to Uruguay and vice versa as I had a house over in Punta del Este and it was actually the main reason that I bought the car. Rental cars were so expensive in Uruguay so I mainly used the car to use over in Uruguay.
But I drove it around here as well quite a bit, got pulled over by police before for speeding and never had any issues whatsoever. I did have a DNI already but I just didn't have time the first few years to get a driver's license and no one hassled me at all.
Blockchain
Well-known member
@earlyretirement I probably already know the answer but I assume you never actually paid for the speeding ticket??
walter50
Member
Getting a license here is similar to anywhere else. You need to go to the DMV and pass the necessary tests. Plus, since the drivers here aren’t known for being great, I’m sure it’s not too difficult to get through the process.
Betsy Ross
Well-known member
I have lived here 15 years and never got a local driver's license. I just continue to get my USA license renewed every 4 years when it needs to be renewed. I went to my local AAA to get an International permit and use those together when I rent cars here. Never had any problems or issues at all. But I have not purchased a car here. This is only for renting cars inside Argentina.you sure? whoever told you that, if true, should be able to direct you on how to get it done!
from @BowTiedMara's substack:
"you can only drive a car for 6 months max on a foreign license. If you get into an accident after that, you’re f’d."
Buying a car in Argentina
The road to bureaucracy hell is paved with forms and declarations
i'm in a weird phase where i have a Precaria and have been here 8 months, but no DNI, so i'm sort of stuck in limbo right now, where i don't think i can drive or rent a car technically (could i get away with it? probably), but i can't get an Argentine driver license yet. i don't know the answer, but if you're on a 3-6 month Tourist Visa, no need to get a new license from what i understand. if you have been here longer, and have a Residency now, let me know what you find out @Hiroshi
StatusNomadicus
Well-known member
what an adventure! i originally read that you could only drive for 6 months in Argentina, but i got confirmation that it is actually one year of reciprocity with the USA.
i think Japan joined the Geneva Convention in 1953 according to Wiki, so this would be my understanding as well.
here's some more info about being in-between the 12-month reciprocity period, and when you get a DNI/Argentine license (can't do it legally).
Newcomer - Driver's license without an expiration date
Here's some good news that really simplifies things for people: renewing driver's licenses might change in 15 days, according to Federico Sturzenegger. Under the new system, licenses will be issued without an expiration date. Drivers will just need to submit a sworn statement and report their...
www.expatsba.com
actually, like you said, no need to buy the Third-Party insurance from Sixt/etc., since if you pay with a credit card, it has CDW waiver coverage
you can save a ton of money on rentals, in the USA and Argentina both. 
How To Use Mastercard Rental Car Insurance
No one wants to incur thousands of dollars in surprise rental car-related expenses when traveling, which makes your decision about rental car insurance an important one. While travel insurance may protect your trip costs, it often doesn’t cover rental cars. Many credit cards offer rental car cove
www.forbes.com
sure, maybe it's not enforced or...
...you can try to bribe the cop...
...but in the end, @Betsy Ross you're aware you're committing a crime in Argentina, right? the law is clear - 12 months of foreign license reciprocity for Geneva Convention countries, and then you need a DNI and an Argentine driver license
i was a cop for a couple years in a couple States in the USA - i don't mean to sound harsh, but i RARELY wrote traffic tickets. i just couldn't justify punishing people for speeding 10 mph over the speed limit, since i do that, too. however, when people did something absolutely egregious like this (drive illegally for 15 years), i would write my once-a-month ticket, or arrest and tow the car, for something so ridiculous. i hope you never get in trouble, but breaking the law for 15 years out of laziness is very strange to me. i know you follow my Residency journey, so you probably know i'm a rule-follower, and i want my Citizenship packet to be perfect when i go in front of a Judge. imagine having a Driving Without License citation on your criminal/traffic record, 1.5 years into living in Argentina. then claiming you wanted to be a citizen...i would not want to be in that situation, so i'm going to get my driver license as soon as i can, and i won't drive between the 1-year limit and my DNI/License date.super disagree with breaking the law for so long for no reason, and i absolutely would ticket/tow you if i was that cop...and this is coming from the guy who basically used officer discretion so much that my co-workers would always joke, "oh let me guess you let that dude off with a warning, huh?"
just like with the Border-Run past, i don't think doing the things that were possible in the past, are necessarily good or advisable in 2024. we have a new government and more technology will be able to link your identity with events. and once cops get body-worn cameras, and car cameras, kiss goodbye to bribes; the corrupt cops here will fight and resign when the cameras become mandatory (but all cops should always be recorded, of course)
Digital Nomad
Well-known member
Not going to argue what is right or wrong as I'm conveniently reminded of my girlfriend almost daily that there is what should happen and how things happen in Argentina.what an adventure! i originally read that you could only drive for 6 months in Argentina, but i got confirmation that it is actually one year of reciprocity with the USA.
i think Japan joined the Geneva Convention in 1953 according to Wiki, so this would be my understanding as well.
here's some more info about being in-between the 12-month reciprocity period, and when you get a DNI/Argentine license (can't do it legally).
Newcomer - Driver's license without an expiration date
Here's some good news that really simplifies things for people: renewing driver's licenses might change in 15 days, according to Federico Sturzenegger. Under the new system, licenses will be issued without an expiration date. Drivers will just need to submit a sworn statement and report their...
actually, like you said, no need to buy the Third-Party insurance from Sixt/etc., since if you pay with a credit card, it has CDW waiver coverage
How To Use Mastercard Rental Car Insurance
No one wants to incur thousands of dollars in surprise rental car-related expenses when traveling, which makes your decision about rental car insurance an important one. While travel insurance may protect your trip costs, it often doesn’t cover rental cars. Many credit cards offer rental car cove
sure, maybe it's not enforced or...
...you can try to bribe the cop...
...but in the end, @Betsy Ross you're aware you're committing a crime in Argentina, right? the law is clear - 12 months of foreign license reciprocity for Geneva Convention countries, and then you need a DNI and an Argentine driver license
super disagree with breaking the law for so long for no reason, and i absolutely would ticket/tow you if i was that cop...and this is coming from the guy who basically used officer discretion so much that my co-workers would always joke, "oh let me guess you let that dude off with a warning, huh?"
just like with the Border-Run past, i don't think doing the things that were possible in the past, are necessarily good or advisable in 2024. we have a new government and more technology will be able to link your identity with events. and once cops get body-worn cameras, and car cameras, kiss goodbye to bribes; the corrupt cops here will fight and resign when the cameras become mandatory (but all cops should always be recorded, of course)
Just to play devil's advocate @StatusNomadicus how would anyone know if @Betsy Ross is driving illegal if she never shows her DNI? I spoke to an American that does the same thing as she does. He just uses his American DL when he rents cars here. Even if he got pulled over and showed his American DL and rental contract how would anyone know he was breaking the law? Agree if you're going to live here long term probably the way to go. I'm not sure how much of a hassle it is. I have been following your journey to get your residency and if getting a DL is as tough as getting residency I don't blame people for not getting it.
If planning to buy a car definitely agree getting the DL from Argentina is essential.
Betsy Ross
Well-known member
I didn't know it was a crime to not get my Argentina driver's license. I never plan on buying a car here. I just rent cars occasionally when a friend or family is in town and we are visiting other cities. I don't know enough about if the credit card would cover me for the CDW waiver if I wasn't living in the US anymore. I didn't apply out of laziness. I was just recommended to not enter the system more than I needed to in Argentina. If I bought a car I would get it but have no plan or desire to ever buy a car here. I will continue to use my USA driver's license when renting here....but in the end, @Betsy Ross you're aware you're committing a crime in Argentina, right? the law is clear - 12 months of foreign license reciprocity for Geneva Convention countries, and then you need a DNI and an Argentine driver license
actually, like you said, no need to buy the Third-Party insurance from Sixt/etc., since if you pay with a credit card, it has CDW waiver coverage
It is a good thing that you follow all the rules. That is a good rule to follow.
James Bond
Well-known member
I had been living in Argentina for years. I do have my DNI but like you Betsy I just used my license from the UK. In my case it was out of laziness but more so lack of time. I did not own a car in BA and also just used it to rent every now and again. My UK credit card covers me for any damages. I had to take advantage of it once in Bariloche when my car slid into another during a snowstorm. No issues at all with UK license and CDW from my UK credit card.
You won't have any problem at all if you don't own a car here in Argentina. If you're only renting cars when you travel around on vacation in Argentina nothing wrong with using your foreign driver's license.
StatusNomadicus
Well-known member
depends on how far the cop wants to investigate, just like in the USA. if a State Trooper is stopping a car on drug busts, they might not be interested if someone has been driving for 366 days in the USA without getting a local license (whatever the law is). and if a Deputy is looking for an arrest warrant, they might not even care about a license plate expired by a few days (i gave warnings if everything else was good). BUT, if you have a crash and some things stack-up, the investigation might include a bunch of tickets/violations:
-brake light was out, so someone rear-ended you.
-cop looks-up your license plate and your registration is expired by a month.
-foreign driver's license makes no sense with a Residency green card/DNI.
-cop ends up being annoyed at having to do a crash report, so they just cite you for all the violations and let the court/judge sort it out.
it's real easy to put-off a couple things and then end up with someone grumpy (or wanting a bribe) who cites you for driving for years with a foreign license. these are just simple things to do, and getting an Argentine license is NOT hard if you have a DNI. for this type of traffic stop in the USA, any cop with more than a year's experience would know that @Betsy Ross has been driving illegally for years. they wouldn't need to be a detective to prove it
a similar thing happens when people register their cars in a different County to avoid emissions testing or get lower license plate fees. it's risky!"Licenses issued by contracting states authorize movement through the country for a maximum period of one year from its entry, according to article 1 of the 1949 Geneva Convention and article 1 b) iii of the 1968 Vienna Convention." https://www.argentina.gob.ar/transp...n-sobre-licencias-de-conducir-internacionales
it's just a silly risk to take each time you drive, when you could spend a few hours getting a local license for 5 or 10 years: https://www.expatfocus.com/argentina/guide/argentina-driving-licenses
you know how insurance companies are incentivized to not pay-out? my buddy does adjusting for a big company in the USA, and he was a cop with me. guess how easily he could deny your claim and make you pay 100% of the costs of anything? all he would have to do would be to show you were driving illegally, and thus should not have been in the scenario in the first place. boom, he makes the company money, they give him commission, and you are out thousands. this is a very strange concept for me, considering so many of you carry Travel Health insurance that costs hundreds of dollars a month, that isn't needed 99% of the time (and which unless you're in the 5% of society you probably don't need). just get your license and you won't have to have that stress in the back of your mind
well it's illegal, but sure nothing is wrong until it goes wrong. i've seen very similar circumstances in the USA as a cop - no need to trust me, but it's illegal to abuse the License Reciprocity, and it just makes no sense if you're a careful person who wants to drive in Argentina. just like the Tourist Visa stuff, i vote to obey the local laws if they are reasonable. i did many a crash report where one person had something wrong with their license or car, and even if they got hit by someone else, legally you win every time by just showing that the person/car should have never been on the road in the first place. this is really simple stuff
Seriously doubt any cop in Latin America is going to jump through all those hoops. Judging by everything I'm reading on these threads it sounds like everything is a pain in the ass down there. @StatusNomadicus maybe you can post about your experience applying for a drivers license down there. That would be great to read.depends on how far the cop wants to investigate, just like in the USA. if a State Trooper is stopping a car on drug busts, they might not be interested if someone has been driving for 366 days in the USA without getting a local license (whatever the law is). and if a Deputy is looking for an arrest warrant, they might not even care about a license plate expired by a few days (i gave warnings if everything else was good). BUT, if you have a crash and some things stack-up, the investigation might include a bunch of tickets/violations:
-brake light was out, so someone rear-ended you.
-cop looks-up your license plate and your registration is expired by a month.
-foreign driver's license makes no sense with a Residency green card/DNI.
-cop ends up being annoyed at having to do a crash report, so they just cite you for all the violations and let the court/judge sort it out.
it's real easy to put-off a couple things and then end up with someone grumpy (or wanting a bribe) who cites you for driving for years with a foreign license. these are just simple things to do, and getting an Argentine license is NOT hard if you have a DNI. for this type of traffic stop in the USA, any cop with more than a year's experience would know that @Betsy Ross has been driving illegally for years. they wouldn't need to be a detective to prove it
"Licenses issued by contracting states authorize movement through the country for a maximum period of one year from its entry, according to article 1 of the 1949 Geneva Convention and article 1 b) iii of the 1968 Vienna Convention." https://www.argentina.gob.ar/transp...n-sobre-licencias-de-conducir-internacionales
it's just a silly risk to take each time you drive, when you could spend a few hours getting a local license for 5 or 10 years: https://www.expatfocus.com/argentina/guide/argentina-driving-licenses
you know how insurance companies are incentivized to not pay-out? my buddy does adjusting for a big company in the USA, and he was a cop with me. guess how easily he could deny your claim and make you pay 100% of the costs of anything? all he would have to do would be to show you were driving illegally, and thus should not have been in the scenario in the first place. boom, he makes the company money, they give him commission, and you are out thousands. this is a very strange concept for me, considering so many of you carry Travel Health insurance that costs hundreds of dollars a month, that isn't needed 99% of the time (and which unless you're in the 5% of society you probably don't need). just get your license and you won't have to have that stress in the back of your mind
well it's illegal, but sure nothing is wrong until it goes wrong. i've seen very similar circumstances in the USA as a cop - no need to trust me, but it's illegal to abuse the License Reciprocity, and it just makes no sense if you're a careful person who wants to drive in Argentina. just like the Tourist Visa stuff, i vote to obey the local laws if they are reasonable. i did many a crash report where one person had something wrong with their license or car, and even if they got hit by someone else, legally you win every time by just showing that the person/car should have never been on the road in the first place. this is really simple stuff
Talked to a few expats that live in BA and they are just like Betsy and never got a DL there. Not sure why but seems like people have a reason. None of them own cars there.
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