Foreign License Conversion in Hiroshima: Phone Booking & Centers

Booking: phone only, weekdays 14:00–16:00

Hiroshima has no online booking. Call the police headquarters main line, 082-228-0110 (広島県警察代表電話), Monday to Friday between 14:00 and 16:00. Calls are not taken on public holidays, substitute holidays or over the New Year period (29 Dec–3 Jan).

A switchboard operator answers, so say whether you want "Hiroshima" (広島県運転免許センター) or "Tōbu" (東部運転免許センター). If you are not confident speaking Japanese on the phone, ask a Japanese speaker to help.

What you book is the document screening day. The dates for the knowledge test (知識確認) and the skills test (技能確認) are set after your eligibility has been confirmed (checked October 2026).

Documents for Hiroshima (with country-specific extras)

You qualify if you hold a valid license issued by a foreign government authority and stayed in that country for a total of at least three months after getting it. An international driving permit cannot be converted. The Hiroshima police list these items:

• Your foreign driver's license (an international driving permit is not accepted)
• A Japanese translation (翻訳文) made by the issuing country's embassy or consulate, JAF, or similar. If it does not show the date you obtained the license, consult the center beforehand
• Passport(s) or other records showing entry and exit dates that prove the three-month stay after obtaining the license (bring every passport needed)
• One residence certificate (住民票の写し) showing all items, including nationality, status of residence and period of stay. Photocopies are not accepted. In principle, foreign nationals not covered by the Basic Resident Registration Act (住民基本台帳法) cannot apply
• Any Japanese license you held before (expired ones included)
• One photo taken within six months: no hat, facing forward, plain background, chest up, 3.0 cm tall × 2.4 cm wide
• The fee
• Country-specific: China requires the "身分証" (ID card) and "基本信息"; the Philippines requires the Official Receipt; Brazil requires the CPF. After screening, other documents may be requested

Knowledge test in 20 languages; 29 places exempt

The knowledge test is 50 true/false questions in a foreign language. Nationwide, since October 2025 it is 50 questions in 30 minutes, and you need 45 or more correct.

Hiroshima offers 20 languages: English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Korean, Russian, Thai, Persian, Tagalog and Spanish, plus ten added on 29 July 2024: Indonesian, Khmer, Nepali, Burmese, Mongolian, Ukrainian, Sinhala, Urdu, Arabic and Hindi (checked October 2026).

The skills test is a practical drive for the license class; under the national standard you pass with 70 out of 100 points. Licenses from 29 countries and regions such as South Korea, Taiwan, the UK, Germany, Canada and New Zealand (and some US states) only need a document check followed by the aptitude test (適性試験); for Indiana only the skills test is waived. If you previously held the same class of Japanese license, the tests may be waived.

National rule: if you pass the knowledge test but fail the skills test, reapplying within six months of the knowledge test date exempts you from retaking it (even in another prefecture).

Getting your license: next day or later, two short windows

You do not receive the license on the day you pass. In Hiroshima it is issued the next day or later, with a separate issuance fee (交付手数料).

Issuance applications are taken only Monday to Friday, 8:30–9:00 and 13:00–13:30 (not holidays or 29 Dec–3 Jan). The license is ready about 1.5 hours after the window closes, so do not arrive late.

Fees and who cannot apply

The Hiroshima conversion page only says "fee" (手数料) without amounts, and its link to the fee list did not open in October 2026. Confirm the amount with the Hiroshima police before you go. For reference, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police (警視庁) charges 2,500 yen to apply for a standard (普通) license and 2,350 yen for issuance (checked October 2026).

The Hiroshima police also note:

• You cannot apply while your Japanese license is under an administrative sanction (行政処分中)
• You must apply in person; proxy applications are not accepted
• You will answer questions about health conditions; if any item applies, staff will ask for details

The two centers: addresses and access

Both centers are reached through the main line, 082-228-0110; tell the operator which center you need.

Prepare for the knowledge test before you call

With booking limited to two weekday hours by phone, a retake costs a lot of time. The Hiroshima police point to JAF's foreign-language edition of the Rules of the Road (交通の教則). The menkyopass mock exam lets you practise the same 50-question, 30-minute format in English, Vietnamese or Chinese.

FAQ

Related guides

• Japan License Conversion Process: 6 Steps from Booking to License
• Japan License Conversion Documents: Juminhyo, Translation, Passport
• Japanese Translation of Your License for Conversion: JAF, Fees
• How Much Does License Conversion Cost in Japan? Fees Explained
• Failed Japan License Conversion? Reapplying and the 6-Month Rule

Sources (in Japanese)

• 広島県警察「外国の免許を日本の免許に切り替える」（2026年8月26日掲載）
• 広島県警察「免許センター・三次試験場へのアクセス」
• 広島県警察「外国免許を翻訳する場所」
• 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」
• 警視庁「外国免許の切替」（手数料の参考例）