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Japan License Conversion Process: 6 Steps from Booking to License

Updated: 2026-10

Converting a foreign license in Japan (gaimen kirikae, 外免切替) follows this order: booking → application and document check → eye test → 50-question knowledge test → practical driving test → license issuance. The driving test is booked for a separate day, so expect at least two visits to the license center, and usually three or more including issuance. Tokyo police say the driving test typically falls about 3–4 months after your booking date, so plan for the whole process to take several months.

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The whole process at a glance (6 steps)

The legal basis is Article 97-2 of Japan's Road Traffic Act and the National Police Agency's handling guidelines for foreign licenses. If you hold a foreign license and the police confirm you have adequate knowledge and driving skill, you are exempted from Japan's regular written and driving exams. Those confirmations are the knowledge test (知識確認) and the practical test (技能確認).

Holders of licenses from 29 exempt countries and regions (such as South Korea and Taiwan) skip steps ④ and ⑤. Everyone else — including holders of licenses from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Nepal, Indonesia and India — goes through all six steps.

Step	What happens	Key point
① Booking (予約)	Reserve a date for your application and document check	Required in most prefectures; method varies
② Application & document check (書類審査)	Police check your license, translation, residence record, passport, etc.	The 3-month stay requirement is checked here
③ Aptitude test (適性試験)	Eyesight and similar checks	Regular car: 0.7 or better with both eyes, etc. (Tokyo)
④ Knowledge test (知識確認)	50 true/false questions in 30 minutes	45 or more correct to pass
⑤ Practical test (技能確認)	Driving on the test-center course	70 of 100 points to pass; by reservation
⑥ Issuance (交付)	Pay the issuance fee and receive your license	Hiroshima: issued the day after passing or later

Who can apply

If you don't meet these conditions, your application will be turned away at the document check even if you have a booking.

You hold a valid foreign driver's license (the original). Learner's permits and provisional licenses do not count
You can prove with documents that you stayed in the issuing country for a total of 3 months or more after getting the license
You apply to the Public Safety Commission (公安委員会) of the prefecture where you are registered as a resident
You can submit a copy of your residence record (住民票の写し). Since October 1, 2025, people with Temporary Visitor (短期滞在) status, such as tourists, generally cannot apply
You apply in person — proxy applications are not accepted (National Police Agency)

Step ① Booking and step ② document check

Booking methods differ by prefecture. For example, Tokyo's Metropolitan Police (警視庁) accepts online bookings through its Keishicho Administrative Procedures Online system (警視庁行政手続オンライン). Kanagawa takes bookings in person at window 12 of the license center (weekdays 2–3 p.m.) and also runs a booking-consultation phone line (予約に関する相談ダイヤル, weekdays 3–4 p.m., Japanese only). Hiroshima accepts phone bookings only (weekdays 2–4 p.m.). (Checked October 2026.)

On your booked day, your documents are reviewed. In Tokyo, reception is weekdays 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., closed 11 a.m.–1 p.m. If you don't speak Japanese, you may be asked to bring an interpreter. All documents must be originals — copies are not accepted. If anything is missing, your application won't be accepted that day and you'll need to book again. See our required documents guide for the full checklist.

Step ③ Aptitude test and step ④ knowledge test

Once your documents pass, you take an eyesight/aptitude test and then the knowledge test. In some prefectures, such as Wakayama, staff contact you later with the test dates.

Note that when the aptitude test (適性試験) takes place differs by prefecture. Some, such as Hiroshima Prefectural Police, hold it after you have passed both the knowledge and skills checks.

Since October 1, 2025, the knowledge test is 50 text-based true/false questions in 30 minutes, and you need 45 or more correct (90%). The old test was 10 picture questions with a 70% pass line. According to the National Police Agency, the pass rate was 42.8% (October–December 2025), down from 92.5% under the old format.

In Tokyo the knowledge test runs once a day, in the afternoon, and is available in 20 languages including English, Chinese and Vietnamese. Kanagawa offers 21 languages. Phones must be switched off and put away in your bag; any cheating voids your result.

Step ⑤ Practical test and step ⑥ issuance

The practical test is driven on the test-center course and scored by deduction out of 100 points; you need 70 or more. Since October 2025, tasks such as passing through pedestrian crossings (横断歩道) have been added and scoring is stricter (Tokyo police). Interpreters may not ride in the test car (Wakayama police). If you want an automatic-only (AT限定) license, you can take the practical test in an automatic car.

The practical test requires a reservation, and in Tokyo it cannot be taken on the day of your application. Tokyo police say the test date is roughly 3–4 months after your booking date, so your foreign license must still be valid on that day. Kanagawa police likewise state that you must pass the practical test while your foreign license is valid.

After passing, your license is issued. In Hiroshima, issuance is from the day after you pass, and the issuance procedure takes about an hour and a half.

Typical time, visits and costs

Total time = getting the translation → waiting for a booking → document check and knowledge test → waiting for the practical test → issuance. A JAF translation takes on average 5–10 business days for most countries (2–3 days for Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan). In Tokyo, the practical test is about 3–4 months after booking.

Using Tokyo as an example, fees are an application fee (2,500 yen for a regular car license) and an issuance fee of 2,350 yen. You will also pay for the translation (JAF charges 6,600 yen for license conversion, revised July 1, 2026), photos and your residence record. Amounts vary by prefecture and license class, so always check with your prefectural police.

Fee	Amount (Tokyo example)
Application fee – regular car (普通)	2,500 yen
Application fee – large / medium / semi-medium	3,900 yen
Application fee – moped (原付)	1,600 yen
Application fee – other classes	2,800 yen
Issuance fee (交付手数料)	2,350 yen

The knowledge test is where most people fail — practice first

The step that trips up the most applicants is the knowledge test. If you fail, you must apply again from the start, racing against your foreign license's expiry and the 6-month validity of your residence record. Use the waiting time to practice in the real format — 50 questions in 30 minutes. menkyopass mock exams are available in English.

FAQ

Q. How long does license conversion take in Japan?

A. It varies widely by prefecture and demand. In Tokyo, police say the practical test falls about 3–4 months after your booking date. Allow about 1–2 weeks for the translation as well.

Q. How many times do I need to visit the license center?

A. If you must take both tests, at least twice: once for the document check and knowledge test, and once for the practical test. Where issuance is on a separate day (Hiroshima: the day after passing or later), it's three or more.

Q. Can my employer or a family member apply for me?

A. No. The National Police Agency does not accept proxy applications. In Tokyo, however, an employer's staff member can make the phone booking for Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能) applicants.

Q. Can I convert my license on a tourist visa?

A. Since October 1, 2025, people with Temporary Visitor status generally cannot apply. A copy of your residence record (住民票) is required.

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Related guides

Sources (in Japanese)

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