Foreign License Conversion in Aichi: Hirabari Booking & Test Days

Booking: choose place and time on the Aichi e-application system

For both Hirabari and Higashi-Mikawa, you book through the Aichi police's online system (あいち電子申請届出システム), choosing where and when to apply. The police publish a PDF guide to using the booking site (予約用WEBサイト利用方法).

At Hirabari, holders of licenses from test-exempt countries (South Korea, Taiwan, UK, etc.) have dedicated slots every Thursday (except holidays), 12:45–13:30 and 13:30–14:45. At Higashi-Mikawa, the days you can book depend on the country that issued your license.

Reception hours and the flow on the day (Hirabari)

Hirabari accepts applications Monday to Friday (closed weekends, public and substitute holidays, Dec 29–Jan 3), 8:45–11:45 a.m. and 12:45–2:45 p.m. If your document check isn't finished by 11:45 a.m., you can't apply for the test that day. If you can't speak or understand Japanese, you must bring an interpreter.

The flow is: document check (counter 16) → buy revenue stamps (counter 11) → test registration (counter 16) → aptitude/eye test (counter 21) → knowledge test (4th-floor exam room) → if you pass, you are given a date for the driving test. On driving-test day: reception (counter 17) → test course → results → license issued.

Higashi-Mikawa works differently: on the first document-check day (weekdays 1:30–2:30 p.m., by appointment) only documents are checked. On a later assigned day you have the second check (10 a.m.–noon) and the knowledge test, and the driving test (9:00–11:50 a.m.) is on yet another day.

Knowledge-test languages by weekday (Hirabari, from July 1, 2026)

Hirabari holds the knowledge test once a day, starting at 1:30 p.m. Japanese and English are available every weekday; other languages only on set days, so book a day that offers your language. Repeat test-takers may be barred for a certain period.

Fees (Hirabari guide)

The Hirabari guide lists the test fee, the test-vehicle fee and the issuance fee. For a regular car license that is ¥3,300 plus a ¥2,350 issuance fee — ¥5,650 in total. The test-vehicle fee is paid with a ticket.

Aichi-specific conditions and documents

Conditions: a total of 3 months or more in the issuing country after getting the license; the license is valid in that country; an address in Aichi; and, for foreign nationals, a certificate of residence (住民票の写し), except diplomats etc. You cannot convert to a second-class (commercial, 二種) license, and no one can apply on your behalf.

• Certificates issued abroad (driving record, entry/exit record, etc.) need authentication by that country's foreign ministry or an apostille
• Bring all your passports, old and new (also used to check exemption from the beginner-driver mark)
• Certificate of residence showing nationality, status and period of residence, residence card number and resident category (no copies)
• Japanese translation from an embassy/consulate, JAF (052-300-3399), ALADDIN, etc.
• If you once held a Japanese license, you may be exempt from the tests — bring the expired license or a driving-history certificate

Locations and access

For driving-test candidates, Aichi police publish safe-driving advice in 8 languages (English, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Sinhala, Thai) as PDFs.

Limited test days — aim to pass first time

If your language is offered only one or two days a week, failing pushes your next chance far away. menkyopass's mock exam uses the same 50-question, 30-minute format, in English.

FAQ

Related guides

• Japan License Conversion Process: 6 Steps from Booking to License
• Japan License Conversion Documents: Juminhyo, Translation, Passport
• Failed Japan License Conversion? Reapplying and the 6-Month Rule
• Converting a Foreign License in Osaka: Kadoma & Komyoike Booking
• Converting a Foreign License in Tokyo: Fuchu, Samezu, Koto Guide

Sources (in Japanese)

• 愛知県警察「外国免許から国内免許への切替え【試験場】」PDF（令和8年7月1日現在）
• 愛知県警察「外国免許から国内免許への切替え【東三河】」PDF（令和8年7月）
• 愛知県警察「運転免許試験」（外国免許からの切替え）
• 愛知県警察「運転免許試験場（平針）での外国免許から国内免許への切替えについて」
• 愛知県警察「外国免許から国内免許へ切替えのための実技確認を受けられる方へ」
• 愛知県警察「運転免許課・運転免許試験場」（所在地・アクセス）
• 愛知県警察「東三河運転免許センター」
• あいち電子申請届出システム（愛知県警察）予約サイト
• 警察庁 丙運発第59号（令和8年1月8日）別添「外国免許等関係事務取扱い要領」