How to Book a License Conversion Appointment in Japan

Book in the prefecture where you live

You apply to the Public Safety Commission of the prefecture where your address is (NPA guidelines). In practice, you book and apply at the license center of the prefecture on your residence record (住民票) — not somewhere near your workplace or a friend's home.

You must apply in person; proxy applications are not allowed (National Police Agency). For the booking itself there are local exceptions — in Tokyo, for example, an employer's contact person usually phones to book for Specified Skilled Workers (特定技能).

Booking methods by prefecture (checked October 2026)

Phone numbers and hours can change, so check your prefectural police website before booking.

Tokyo online booking: key points

Reception is weekdays only — closed weekends, public holidays and 29 December–3 January. If your documents are incomplete on the day, your application won't be accepted and you'll have to book again.

• To book online you must have stayed in the issuing country for 3 months in total after getting the license, and live in Tokyo (temporary stays included)
• Fuchu (府中) and Samezu (鮫洲) handle licenses from all countries. Koto (江東) handles only the 29 countries/regions exempt from the knowledge and driving tests
• When phoning to book as a Specified Skilled Worker, have your passport with the immigration “designation” (指定書) and other documents ready
• To cancel, call the center you booked (Fuchu 042-362-3591, Samezu 03-3474-1374, Koto 03-3699-1151, HQ 03-6717-3137)
• If you don't speak Japanese, you may be asked to bring someone who can interpret

What to have ready before you book

The biggest waste of time is arriving on your appointment day with something missing. Before booking, make sure you'll have:

• Japanese translation (日本語翻訳文): JAF averages 5–10 business days (its FAQ says 1–2 weeks, or 2–3 weeks for some countries)
• Proof of the 3-month stay: without stamps, order entry/exit records from your home country (this takes time)
• Residence record (住民票の写し): issued within 6 months (Tokyo police). Getting it too early may mean it expires if you have to reapply
• Valid foreign license until the driving test: Tokyo police say the driving test is usually about 3–4 months after the booking date, so renew first if your license expires soon

The driving test is booked separately

Besides the document-check appointment, the practical driving test (技能確認) also needs a booking. In Tokyo it's by reservation, so you can't take it on the day you apply. In Kanagawa you book it online or by phone. In Hiroshima, the dates for the knowledge and driving tests are set after your eligibility is checked.

Kanagawa police state that your foreign license must remain valid until you pass the driving test. The further out the bookings are where you live, the tighter this deadline becomes.

While you wait for your appointment

Use the wait to prepare for the knowledge test (知識確認): 50 questions, 30 minutes, 45 correct to pass, with a 42.8% pass rate in October–December 2025 according to the NPA. Failing sends you back to booking, so practicing menkyopass mock tests in English helps you make the most of your appointment.

FAQ

Related guides

• Japan License Conversion Process: 6 Steps from Booking to License
• Japan License Conversion Documents: Juminhyo, Translation, Passport
• License Conversion Knowledge Test Day in Japan: What to Expect
• Converting a Foreign License in Tokyo: Fuchu, Samezu, Koto Guide
• Converting a Foreign License in Kanagawa: Futamatagawa Booking

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」（申請先）
• 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」（予約・受付・試験場）
• 警視庁行政手続オンライン
• 警視庁「必要書類（共通）」PDF
• 神奈川県警察「外国免許から日本の免許への切替え」
• 広島県警察「外国免許から日本の免許への切替」
• 鳥取県 外国免許切替の案内（事前審査）
• JAF「翻訳文の申請方法」