Converting a Pakistani Driving License in Japan: Documents

A Pakistani license means document review, knowledge test and skills test

Only licenses from 29 countries and regions, such as South Korea, Taiwan and parts of Europe, are test-exempt; Pakistan is not one of them. After the document review you must pass the knowledge test (知識確認: 50 true/false questions, 30 minutes, at least 45 correct) and the skills test on a course (技能確認: at least 70 out of 100).

Three conditions apply to everyone: (1) your Pakistani license is still valid; (2) you stayed in Pakistan for a total of 3 months or more after getting it; (3) you are registered as a resident in Japan and can submit a residence record (住民票の写し) with the specified items, without your My Number, issued within 6 months. People on a short-term status cannot apply, and you must apply in person.

Tokyo needs an embassy certificate issued on or after 18 August 2026

Tokyo's list of documents by country (国別必要書類一覧, as of August 2026) asks Pakistani license holders for a "certificate for your driver's license issued by the embassy", and adds that it "must be issued on or after August 18, 2026". The Japanese version says the same.

Certificates issued by the embassy before that date are not accepted in Tokyo. Even if you got one earlier for a previous attempt, you need a new one. Prepare it together with your other documents (translation, residence record and so on) in time for your document review appointment.

What the embassy asks for

The Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo lists the following for a Driving License Registration Certificate (checked October 2026). The NOC and the license history come from the licensing authority in Pakistan, and getting them sent to Japan takes time, so ask family to arrange them early.

The embassy receives documents Monday–Thursday 9:30–13:00 and Friday 9:30–12:30, and hands them back 14:00–17:00. Requirements can change, so call the embassy (03-5421-7741) before you go and confirm that the certificate is the one Tokyo police require.

• Original driving license
• NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the licensing authority
• License history sheet
• Date of entry into Japan
• Copies of your valid passport, CNIC and residence card
• The embassy's General Application Form
• Fee: 1,000 yen

Other prefectures (Tochigi, Saitama, Miyagi)

Extra documents vary by prefecture. These examples were checked in October 2026. All of them ask for an embassy certificate, and Tochigi also asks for one from the licensing authority in Pakistan. Always check the latest list where you apply.

Saitama says certificates obtained abroad need a seal confirmation by the issuing country's foreign ministry or an apostille, and that a document explaining the reason is needed if the names on your license and passport differ. Because the document review is in Japanese, Saitama also asks you to bring an interpreter who understands Japanese and your language (phone or app interpreting is not accepted).

Translation: JAF or the embassy

You cannot use your own translation or one by a friend. Of the translators Tokyo accepts, the ones available for a Pakistani license are the embassy in Japan and JAF; the private translators cover only certain countries, and Pakistan is not among them (Tokyo, checked October 2026). Ask the embassy directly whether it issues translations and what it charges.

JAF says licenses written in Arabic script take about 2–3 weeks before the translation can be printed. If you renew your license you need a new translation. Tokyo says the skills test is usually about 3–4 months after you book and your license must be valid until then, so renew first if it expires soon.

Proving 3 months, and holding both car and motorcycle licenses

Your time in Pakistan after getting the license is checked with the entry and exit stamps in all your passports, old and new. If you used automated gates and have no stamps, you need an official record of your entries and exits. When the passport is not enough, Tokyo lists documents such as an employment certificate, academic transcript, tax certificates (3 or more consecutive years), residence certificate and utility bills. A salary certificate alone is not accepted.

In Tokyo, holders of non-exempt licenses can in principle apply for only one license type at a time. To convert both a car and a motorcycle license, apply separately with papers showing when you got each one and one photo (3 cm × 2.4 cm) per type. Your time in Pakistan also decides the beginner mark (1 year in total) and carrying a passenger on a motorcycle (1 year on ordinary roads, 3 years on expressways).

Take the knowledge test in Urdu

Tokyo offers the knowledge test in 20 languages, including Urdu and English (checked October 2026).

According to the National Police Agency, the pass rates for October–December 2025 were 42.8% for the knowledge test and 13.1% for the skills test. Pakistan drives on the left like Japan, but the test asks in detail about Japanese signs, full stops (一時停止) and railway crossings. If you pass the knowledge test but fail the skills test, reapplying within 6 months of the knowledge test exempts you from it. Practice with menkyopass's mock test to get used to 50 questions with 45 needed to pass.

FAQ

Related guides

• Japan License Conversion Documents: Juminhyo, Translation, Passport
• Japanese Translation of Your License for Conversion: JAF, Fees
• The 3-Month Stay Rule for License Conversion in Japan: Proof
• Japan License Conversion Test Languages: Which Are Available?
• Failed Japan License Conversion? Reapplying and the 6-Month Rule

Sources (in Japanese)

• 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」
• 警察庁「外国で取得した免許をお持ちの方」
• 警視庁「外国で取得した運転免許証を日本の運転免許証に切り替えるには」
• 警視庁「必要書類（共通）」PDF
• 警視庁「国別必要書類一覧」PDF（令和8年8月現在）
• 警視庁「国別必要書類一覧」英語版PDF
• 警視庁「注意事項」PDF
• 警視庁「外国語による学科試験・知識確認」
• 在日パキスタン大使館「Tokyo Consular Services for Pakistanis」
• 埼玉県警察「国別必要書類及び滞在期間証明書類注意事項」PDF
• 栃木県警察「必要証明書類（国別）一覧」PDF
• 宮城県警察「国別に必要となる書類」PDF
• JAF「翻訳文の申請方法」
• 日本経済新聞「外国人の免許切り替え、筆記試験の合格率9割→4割に 25年10〜12月」（警察庁公表の報道）