Gaimen50-question practice tests in the real exam formatConverting a Philippine Driver's License in Japan: Apostille, OR
Updated: 2026-10
The Philippines is not a test-exempt country, so after the document review you take both the knowledge test and the skills test. In Tokyo (警視庁) you also need a license Certification with apostille, your License History and the Official Receipt, all obtained in the Philippines. The apostille is issued by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA); the embassy in Tokyo cannot add it.
A Philippine license means document review, knowledge test and skills test
Only some countries and regions, such as Iceland, South Korea and Taiwan, are test-exempt; the Philippines is not. 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 (技能確認: at least 70 out of 100).
The basic conditions: (1) your Philippine license is valid; (2) you stayed in the Philippines 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. The skills test is usually about 3 to 4 months after booking (Tokyo), so make sure your license is valid until then.
Philippines-only documents in Tokyo
Tokyo's list of documents by country (as of August 2026) asks Philippine license holders for the documents below, all obtained in the Philippines. They are hard to get once you are in Japan, so ask family to start early.
According to the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, public documents issued in the Philippines can only be apostilled by the DFA in the Philippines. The embassy in Tokyo cannot do it.
| Document | Conditions (Tokyo) |
|---|---|
| Certification with APOSTILLE | Certification of your license, apostilled. Obtained in the Philippines |
| License History | Your license history. Obtained in the Philippines |
| Official Receipt | The official receipt for your license. Obtained in the Philippines |
| Immigration Record with APOSTILLE | Needed if your passport etc. cannot show all your stays during the license's validity. Obtained in the Philippines |
Other prefectures (Aichi, Tochigi, Yamagata)
Extra documents vary by prefecture. These examples were checked in October 2026; always check the latest list where you apply.
Aichi's Higashi-Mikawa license center says certificates obtained abroad need a seal confirmation by the issuing country's foreign ministry or an apostille. Its booking days for the document review depend on the country, and Philippine licenses are handled Tuesday to Thursday (July 2026 notice).
| Where you apply | Extra documents |
|---|---|
| Aichi (Higashi-Mikawa) | Official Receipt (official receipt and temporary license). If 3 months cannot be confirmed: driving history certificate or old license, plus Immigration Records |
| Tochigi | Driving history certificate, OFFICIAL RECEIPT |
| Yamagata | Official Receipt |
Translation: JAF, the embassy, etc.
Self-made translations are not accepted. Among the providers Tokyo accepts, JAF and others take Philippine licenses. The Philippine Embassy in Japan is also accepted.
| Provider | Fee and time (checked Oct 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| JAF | 6,600 yen (conversion version), 5 to 10 business days on average | Online only. Images of both sides of the license |
| Philippine Embassy in Japan | Ask directly | Included in Tokyo's list as the issuing country's embassy |
Proving 3 months, motorcycle passengers and the beginner mark
Your stay in the Philippines (3 months or more in total after getting the license) is checked with the stamps in all your current and old passports. In Tokyo, if your stays during the license's validity cannot all be confirmed, you need an Immigration Record with apostille.
Tokyo also uses your length of stay to decide other things: 1 year in total for the beginner mark (初心者マーク) requirement, and for carrying a motorcycle passenger, 1 year in total on ordinary roads and 3 years on expressways.
In Tokyo, licenses from non-exempt countries are in principle converted one class per application. If you hold both car and motorcycle licenses, apply separately and bring proof of each class's issue date.
The knowledge test is available in Tagalog and English
Tokyo offers the knowledge test in 20 languages, including both Tagalog and English.
According to the National Police Agency, pass rates in October to December 2025 were 42.8% for the knowledge test and 13.1% for the skills test. If you pass the knowledge test but fail the skills test, reapplying within 6 months of the knowledge test date exempts you from the knowledge test. The Philippines drives on the right, so get used to Japan's left-hand rules. Practise the 50-question format with menkyopass's English mock test.
FAQ
Q. Can the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo apostille my documents?
A. No. According to the embassy, documents issued in the Philippines can only be apostilled by the DFA in the Philippines.
Q. I lost my Official Receipt.
A. The lists in Tokyo, Aichi, Tochigi and Yamagata all include the Official Receipt. Ask the license center where you apply whether another document will do.
Q. Can I take the knowledge test in Tagalog?
A. Yes. Tokyo's knowledge test is offered in 20 languages, including Tagalog and English.
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 Process: 6 Steps from Booking to License
- 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」
- 愛知県警察 東三河運転免許センター「外国免許から国内免許への切替え」PDF（令和8年7月）
- 栃木県警察「必要証明書類（国別）一覧」PDF
- 山形県総合交通安全センター 外国免許切替の申請手続き（中国語版、2025年10月1日）
- 駐日フィリピン大使館「Apostille (formerly Authentication)」
- 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）