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Peruvian Driver's License to Japanese License: Documents & Tips

Updated: 2026-10

Peru is not a test-exempt country, so after the document review you take both the knowledge test (知識確認) and the skills test (技能確認). Tokyo's list by country has no separate entry for Peru, so the common documents are the base, but Saitama Police ask applicants who have renewed for a renewal-history certificate from Peru. The Consulate General of Peru in Tokyo issues a license authenticity certificate that takes about 30 days to verify, so start early.

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Peruvian licenses: document review + knowledge test + skills test

Only 29 countries and regions, such as Korea and some European countries, are test-exempt; Peru is not one of them. You must pass the knowledge test (50 true/false questions, 30 minutes, 45 correct to pass) and the skills test (70 of 100 points).

Common conditions: (1) your Peruvian license is valid; (2) you stayed in Peru 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 certificate (住民票) with the special items, issued within 6 months and without My Number. Temporary Visitors cannot apply. In Tokyo, licenses from non-exempt countries can normally be converted one type per application.

Tokyo: common documents, but prove your issue date

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police's List of Required Documents by Country (as of August 2026) has no entry for Peru. Tokyo notes, however, that the document review may require other documents.

As a general rule, if your license does not show the first issue date, you need a document proving it. If you hold two or more types (such as car and motorcycle), you need documents showing each issue date.

Document (Tokyo example)	Notes
Peruvian driver's license (original)	The physical card is required. Bring expired old licenses too, if you have them
Japanese translation	From an approved provider such as JAF or an embassy
Passports (including old ones)	To confirm 3+ months in Peru after getting the license
Residence certificate (住民票)	With special items, within 6 months, no My Number
Photo	3 cm × 2.4 cm, one per license type
Proof of issue date	If the license has no first issue date, or you hold two or more types

Saitama example: renewal-history certificate

Saitama Police's list says Peruvian license holders who have renewed need a history certificate from Peru showing every renewal since the first issue date.

Saitama also requires certificates issued abroad to carry the issuing country's foreign-ministry authentication or an apostille, and wants originals (no copies). Documents differ by prefecture, so check the latest list where you live.

The consulate's license authenticity certificate

The Consulate General of Peru in Tokyo says Japanese authorities sometimes ask for proof that a Peruvian license (brevete) is genuine when converting it, and it issues a Certificado de Autenticidad de la Licencia de Conducir (運転免許証真正性証明).

First email images of your license, DNI and passport to notarial@conpertokio.org; the consulate then asks Peru's Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) to verify. Verification takes about 30 days from your request, after which you book an appointment to get the certificate.

Item	Details (checked Oct 2026)
Application	In person, by appointment
Bring	DNI, Peruvian license, valid passport (optional)
Time	About 30 days for MTC verification
Fee	See the consulate's consular fee schedule
Hours	Mon–Fri 9:00–13:00 and 14:15–15:30

Translation and proof of 3 months' stay

Your own translation is not accepted. A JAF translation for conversion costs ¥6,600 and takes 5–10 business days on average for most countries (online only, from within Japan). We found no license translation service in the Peruvian Consulate General in Tokyo's list of notarial services (checked October 2026).

Your 3+ months in Peru are checked through entry/exit stamps in all your passports. If those are not enough, Tokyo accepts proof such as an entry/exit record certificate, utility bills, a certificate of employment, academic transcripts or 3+ consecutive years of tax certificates. In Tokyo, your stay also decides the beginner-mark obligation (初心者マーク, 1 year in total).

Take the knowledge test in Spanish

Tokyo offers the knowledge test in 20 languages, including Spanish. According to the National Police Agency, pass rates in October–December 2025 were 42.8% for the knowledge test and 13.1% for the skills test.

The skills test is usually about 3–4 months after booking, and your license must be valid until then (Tokyo Metropolitan Police), so renew first if it expires soon. If you pass the knowledge test but fail the skills test, reapplying within 6 months of the knowledge test date exempts you from it. Peru drives on the right, so practise turning positions for left-hand traffic in Japan. Get used to the 50-question, 45-to-pass format with the menkyopass mock test.

FAQ

Q. Is a Peruvian license test-exempt?

A. No. After the document review you take both the knowledge and skills tests.

Q. Do I always need the authenticity certificate?

A. The consulate says authorities "sometimes" ask for it. Check with your license center; if needed, apply early because verification takes about 30 days.

Q. I have renewed my license. What else do I need?

A. Saitama Police ask for a history certificate from Peru listing every renewal since the first issue date. In Tokyo, too, you need proof if the license has no first issue date.

Q. Can I take the knowledge test in Spanish?

A. Yes. Tokyo's knowledge test is offered in 20 languages, including Spanish.