Government adopts order allowing use of My Number card as driver’s license

The government has decided to enable the use of My Number personal identification cards as a driver’s license for use from March 24.
At a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, the government adopted an enforcement order for the revised road traffic law related to the new system.
Drivers can decide whether to integrate their licenses into their My Number cards. They will remain able to use the traditional license.
According to the National Police Agency, the My Number card will function as a driver’s license after information such as the type of license is recorded on the integrated circuit chip embedded in the card.
From March 24, drivers will be able to choose between using only the My Number card, incorporating a driver’s license, using only the conventional license, or using both.
Those who choose to use their My Number card as a driver’s license will be allowed to take the classes required to renew their licenses online if they are classified as excellent drivers with no history of traffic violations.
When changing addresses, those who use the My Number card as a driver’s license will not need to follow the procedures required by police if they report the change to the local municipality.
The enforcement order stipulates the fees required for obtaining and renewing licenses. The renewal fee, currently set at ¥2,500, will be ¥2,100 for the My Number card incorporating a driver’s license, ¥2,850 for the conventional license and ¥2,950 for people using both.
During the public comment period, from September, for use of the My Number card as a driver’s license, the agency received 5,633 opinions.
Besides those approving the introduction of the card, some said that the renewal fee should be the same for the conventional license and the My Number card incorporating a driver’s license.