Converting a Foreign License in Nagano: Centers, Booking & Fees

Where to apply: only Hokushin and Chu-Nanshin

According to the Nagano Prefectural Police, license conversion is offered at two places only: Hokushin and Chu-Nanshin. The official page states that the Toshin center does not offer it, so even if you live around Saku or Ueda you must travel to one of the two.

You can apply if your address is registered in Nagano Prefecture, your foreign license is still valid, and you can prove you stayed in the issuing country for a total of at least 3 months after getting the license.

Booking: call the examination section first

The Nagano police say conversion is by reservation and ask you to consult the examination section (試験係) by phone in advance. No web booking is described on the official pages. The English page also strongly suggests having your documents checked before you apply.

The English page lists contact hours of 8:30–17:00, Monday to Friday except holidays. Chu-Nanshin notes that staff may not answer the phone between 8:30–9:30 and 13:00–14:00 because they are serving visitors at the counter.

Retaking the driving skill test (技能確認) requires a reservation. Exact reception times and test days are not published, so ask when you call.

Documents (Nagano police list)

This is the list on the official page. Some people need extra documents, so confirm your own case when you call.

• Your valid foreign driver's license
• A Japanese translation of it (only from the issuing country's embassy or consulate in Japan, JAF, or the other issuers listed on the police page)
• International driving permit (if you have one)
• Certificate of residence (住民票の写し) showing your nationality; photocopies not accepted
• All passports you hold (older passports may be needed to confirm when you got the license)
• One photo, 3 cm × 2.4 cm, taken within 6 months: front-facing, chest up, plain background, no hat. Paid photo service is available at the centers
• Possibly: a Japanese license (including an expired one), a provisional license, an ID card, the official receipt from when the foreign license was issued, a certificate of acquisition or driving record, other foreign licenses, and an immigration record if your passport cannot prove the 3-month stay

Fees

The Nagano police page lists two fees: the conversion fee (切替え手数料) and the issuing fee (交付手数料). For a standard license (普通免許) issued as a card, that is 2,500 + 2,350 = 4,850 yen. The issuing fee changes if you choose the My Number Card license (マイナ免許証). The official page does not mention a test-vehicle fee.

Knowledge test in 21 languages; skill test on the course

The Japanese page of the Nagano police says the knowledge test (知識確認) is available in 21 languages including Japanese: English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Spanish, Tagalog, Nepali, Indonesian, Burmese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian, Thai, Persian, Khmer, Mongolian, Sinhala, Urdu, Arabic and Hindi. The English page says "9 languages" instead, so treat the Japanese page as the reference and confirm your language by phone.

Nationwide since October 1, 2025, the knowledge test has no illustration questions: it is 50 true/false questions in 30 minutes, and you need 45 or more correct (90%). The skill test added tasks such as passing pedestrian crossings and is now scored as strictly as for new drivers (Nagano police summary PDF). The skill test takes place on the course inside the center.

Getting there

Both centers can be reached on foot from a train station or by bus. By car, Chu-Nanshin is about 3.5 km (about 10 minutes) from Shiojiri IC (塩尻IC) on the Chuo Expressway.

The centers are far, so aim to pass the first time

Nagano has only two places for conversion, and depending on where you live the trip can take half a day. Failing the knowledge test means booking and traveling again. menkyopass mock exams let you practice the real format, 50 questions in 30 minutes, 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
• How to Book a License Conversion Appointment in Japan
• Failed Japan License Conversion? Reapplying and the 6-Month Rule
• How Much Does License Conversion Cost in Japan? Fees Explained

Sources (in Japanese)

• 長野県警察「外国免許を日本免許に切替える方」（更新日2025年8月14日）
• 長野県警察「Switching a foreign driver’s license to a Japanese license」（英語版）
• 長野県警察「運転免許センターの御案内」（所在地・電話・交通）
• 長野県警察「外免切替手続の見直し」
• 長野県警察「外免切替手続の見直し（令和7年10月1日施行）」概要資料PDF
• 長野県警察「運転免許試験案内」（本人確認書類の提示）
• 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」