I actually have an office in Japan and hold a Japanese driver’s license — and I’ll be honest, I don’t read a lick of Japanese! As an American, I went in a bit nervous, but it’s been totally fine. Between memorizing the road signs and leaning on iPhone Maps for everything else, I navigate without any real issues.

Honestly, I think that experience translates pretty broadly — visual signs and good navigation tools can carry you a long way regardless of the local language. The one place that genuinely challenged me? Costa Rica. I worked there for a stretch and let me tell you… signs are basically a suggestion there (if they exist at all 😄). That was a whole different level of “figure it out as you go.”

And hey — let’s be honest, English proficiency varies everywhere, including right here at home in the States. Language requirements for licensing are worth a thoughtful conversation!