Gaimen50-question practice tests in the real exam formatJapan License Conversion Rules Changed in Oct 2025: What's New
Updated: 2026-10
On October 1, 2025, amended regulations made three big changes to foreign license conversion in Japan (外免切替): (1) a copy of your residence record (住民票の写し) is now required, so Temporary Visitors such as tourists generally can no longer apply; (2) the knowledge test went from 10 picture questions with a 70% pass mark to 50 text questions with a 90% pass mark; (3) the practical test gained tasks such as passing pedestrian crossings and is scored more strictly. As a result, the knowledge-test pass rate fell from 92.5% (2024) to 42.8% (October–December 2025), according to the National Police Agency.
Before and after at a glance
Based on Tokyo police (警視庁) notices and the National Police Agency (警察庁) guidelines dated January 8, 2026.
| Item | Until Sept 2025 | From Oct 1, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of address (foreign nationals) | Temporary Visitors could apply | Residence record required; Temporary Visitors generally cannot apply |
| Knowledge test questions | 10 picture questions | 50 text-based true/false questions |
| Knowledge test pass mark | 7 of 10 (70%) | 45 of 50 (90%) |
| Time limit | — | 30 minutes |
| Practical test tasks | — | Pedestrian crossing task etc. added |
| Practical test scoring | — | Stricter (70 points still needed) |
| Knowledge test pass rate | 92.5% (2024) | 42.8% (Oct–Dec 2025) |
| Practical test pass rate | 30.4% (2024) | 13.1% (Oct–Dec 2025) |
Change 1: residence record required
Foreign nationals covered by the Basic Resident Registration Act (住民基本台帳法) must submit a copy of their residence record showing specified items such as nationality. Tokyo police require it to be issued within the last 6 months and without your My Number.
The NPA guidelines state that, 'unlike previous practice', people with Temporary Visitor (短期滞在) status cannot apply. Tourists can no longer apply using a hotel address. People not covered by the residence registration law must present documents listed in National Public Safety Commission Notice No. 35 (September 11, 2025), such as an ID issued by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, plus proof of address; no other documents are accepted.
Change 2: knowledge test now 50 questions at 90%
The old knowledge test was 10 questions based on pictures, and 7 correct answers were enough. Now it's 50 text-based true/false questions in 30 minutes, and you need 45 correct. You can miss only 5 questions, and you have an average of 36 seconds per question.
The guidelines require the test to be held in a room for examinees only, with phones switched off and put away in your bag; cheating voids your result. In Tokyo the knowledge test now runs only once a day, in the afternoon, and is available in 20 languages including English.
Change 3: more tasks and stricter scoring in the practical test
Tokyo police say the practical test added tasks such as passing pedestrian crossings (横断歩道) and tightened assessment standards. The pass mark is still 70 of 100 points; under the current NPA guidelines, a regular car test includes at least one pedestrian crossing and one railroad crossing (踏切), with a total distance of 1,200 m or more.
The practical-test pass rate fell from 30.4% in 2024 to 13.1% in October–December 2025 (NPA).
What did not change
These basic rules are the same as before. The tightening was mainly about proof of address and the content of the tests.
- You must prove a total stay of 3 months or more in the issuing country after getting your license
- Licenses from 29 countries and regions such as the UK, Canada, Australia, South Korea and Taiwan are exempt from both tests (Tokyo police)
- You must apply in person — no proxy applications
- If you pass the knowledge test but fail the practical test, reapplying within 6 months of the knowledge-test date exempts you from the knowledge test (even in another prefecture)
If you're about to apply
First register your address so you can get a residence record copy, and time your booking so the copy is still within 6 months of issue. Don't expect the knowledge test to be a formality anymore: the 90% pass line and the 50-question length are the main reasons the pass rate dropped below half. Use the wait for your booking to practice in the real format — menkyopass offers English mock exams with 50 questions in 30 minutes.
FAQ
Q. When did the new rules start?
A. On October 1, 2025, when amendments to the Road Traffic Act Enforcement Regulations took effect.
Q. Can I convert my license while visiting Japan as a tourist?
A. Since October 2025, people with Temporary Visitor (短期滞在) status generally cannot apply.
Q. How recent must my residence record copy be?
A. In Tokyo's case, issued within the last 6 months and without your My Number. It must also show items such as nationality, so mention this when you request it.
Q. How many questions are on the knowledge test now?
A. 50 true/false questions in 30 minutes, and you need 45 correct. It used to be 10 picture questions with 7 needed.
Q. What are the pass rates under the new rules?
A. According to the NPA, in October–December 2025 the knowledge test pass rate was 42.8% and the practical test 13.1%, compared with 92.5% and 30.4% in 2024.
Related guides
- Japan License Conversion Pass Rate Is 42.8%: Why People Fail
- Can You Convert a License in Japan Without a Residence Record?
- Japan License Conversion Driving Test: Tasks, Scoring, Fails
- Japan License Conversion Documents: Juminhyo, Translation, Passport
- How to Study for Japan's License Conversion Knowledge Test