Gifu Foreign License Conversion: Phone Pre-Screening & Steps

Two bookings: pre-screening, then application day

Pre-screening checks your documents and interviews you to decide whether conversion is possible. It must be booked by phone or similar. Bookings are taken Monday to Friday, 9:00 am–5:00 pm (not weekends, holidays or the New Year period), only once you have every required document, and you should call together with someone who speaks Japanese. No inquiries or bookings at night or on holidays.

Only applicants who pass pre-screening book an application day (申請日), Monday to Friday. Report at 8:30 am to the "外国免許係受付" on the 2nd floor of the test center, bringing all the documents from pre-screening again. Missing items or arriving late means you will not be accepted. If the review decides conversion is not possible, you cannot convert.

Waiting times and why they get longer

The police page says document review is about 2 months away and the knowledge/driving tests after passing it about 5 months away (as posted when checked in October 2026). Besides high demand, the police list these frequent causes of repeat reviews and retests:

• Incomplete documents: missing papers, no interpreter so the applicant cannot understand Japanese, expired foreign license
• Not enough study: failing the knowledge test because of not knowing basic Japanese traffic rules
• Not enough practice: failing the driving test because of too little safe-driving practice

Application day: knowledge test in the morning, driving test in the afternoon

The order is aptitude test (eyesight etc.) → knowledge test (知識確認) → driving test (技能確認). First-time applicants take the knowledge test in the morning and the driving test from the afternoon, so it takes the whole day. If you clear everything, the license is issued that day. Bring glasses if you use them.

Since October 1, 2025, driving tests for all license types use new courses; one of several courses is chosen on the day. Course maps for each license type are on the police page. The knowledge test has 50 questions.

Fees and languages

The police page says separate test fees set by the Gifu Public Safety Commission apply, giving the example "standard license 3,300 yen (with vehicle use)". The issuing fee is 2,350 yen, plus 200 yen per additional license class recorded. For a standard car license, expect about 3,300 + 2,350 = 5,650 yen.

Gifu police offer written tests in 20 foreign languages (including English, Vietnamese and Chinese); ask the staff when you submit your application. However, the conversion page does not say which languages are available for the conversion knowledge test, so confirm this when you book pre-screening.

Requirements and documents

You must have obtained the foreign license properly, it must still be valid, you must have stayed in that country for a total of 3 months or more after getting it, you must live in Gifu with a residence record, and you must not be subject to (or about to receive) an administrative penalty. If you do not understand Japanese, you must bring an interpreter (no qualification needed).

• Valid foreign license (and old ones), the issuing country's ID card, residence card (在留カード): copies of both sides centred on A4
• Japanese translation (from the issuing authority, an embassy/consulate, JAF, etc.)
• Every passport you have been issued. Without stamps or if you used automated gates, official entry/exit records
• Driving record certificate (if no first-issue date, two or more license classes, or several renewals)
• One photo 3 cm × 2.4 cm taken within 6 months (passport-size not accepted; not needed for pre-screening)
• Residence certificate (住民票) with nationality and all residence card items, nothing marked "omitted" (省略)
• Country-specific examples: China – resident ID card, 基本信息, medical certificate, 10 years of entry/exit records; Philippines – Official Receipts and certification with apostille

Location and access

Gifu Prefectural Police Driver's License Test Center, 1-22-8 Mitahorahigashi, Gifu City (岐阜市三田洞東1丁目22番8号). Conversion inquiries: Foreign License Section 058-237-5719 (9:00 am–5:00 pm). From Gifu Station, about 40 minutes by Gifu Bus bound for "三田洞団地"; get off at "三田洞自動車学校口".

If anything on your residence certificate changes (for example after renewing your residence card), you need a new one. The police stress that you cannot take the test with an outdated certificate.

A 5-month wait — aim to pass first time

Failing the knowledge test can mean another long wait. menkyopass mock tests use the same 50-question, 30-minute format in English, Vietnamese and Chinese.

FAQ

Related guides

• Japan License Conversion Process: 6 Steps from Booking to License
• Japan License Conversion Documents: Juminhyo, Translation, Passport
• Japan License Conversion Driving Test: Tasks, Scoring, Fails
• Failed Japan License Conversion? Reapplying and the 6-Month Rule
• Foreign License Conversion in Aichi: Hirabari Booking & Test Days

Sources (in Japanese)

• 岐阜県警察「外国免許から日本の運転免許証への切替」（2026年4月10日更新）
• 岐阜県警察「岐阜試験場のご案内」
• 岐阜県警察「外国語による学科試験」
• 岐阜県警察「令和6年12月以降の外国語による学科試験のご案内」PDF
• 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」