Converting a Foreign License in Saitama: Konosu Online Booking

The Saitama flow: document check → application & knowledge test → driving test

Since September 1, 2025 the document check is by online appointment only, and since January 5, 2026 the knowledge test is booked online too. Those who pass the knowledge test are told individually how to book the driving test.

Booking the document check online

The applicant must book personally, using their own email address. You'll receive a confirmation email with a reception number (受付番号), and on the day you must show that number in the email yourself — screenshots are not accepted. If no email arrives, check your spam folder.

One slot per person: booking several dates can void all your bookings. Once confirmed, a booking can't be changed; cancel and rebook instead. Cancel via the dedicated line 090-4841-0480 (weekdays 9:00–16:00) or at the exam consultation counter on the center's 2nd floor.

The document check is conducted in Japanese. If you can't speak Japanese, bring an interpreter; if the officer decides a Japanese-language review isn't workable, that day's check is stopped.

• People who can't book online and must call first: holders of IDs issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; those with the 特定活動（特定自動車運送業準備） status (the employer calls); Japanese nationals whose residence record was removed
• Phone: weekdays 3–4 p.m., 048-543-2001 (press 3, then 9)

Knowledge-test day and languages

On knowledge-test day: final document check at reception, pay the application fee, aptitude test (eyesight etc.), then the test. The explanation takes about 20 minutes, and the test is 50 questions in 30 minutes. Explanations are in Japanese; an interpreter may accompany you only during the explanation. If you can't answer the reception checks or fail the aptitude test, you can't sit the knowledge test.

21 languages are available (as of October 1, 2025): English, Chinese, Thai, Spanish, Portuguese, Persian, Russian, Urdu, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, Indonesian, Nepali, Khmer, Mongolian, Burmese, Korean, Arabic, Sinhala, Hindi and Japanese.

If you fail, you rebook the knowledge test and repeat reception, fee payment and the aptitude test. If the period-of-stay expiry date on your residence certificate has passed, you won't be accepted even while your residence card renewal is pending.

Fees are paid cashless

Saitama police take fees by cashless payment (credit/debit cards, e-money including transit IC cards like Suica, and code payments such as PayPay). To pay in cash you must contact the License Examination Division (運転免許試験課) by the day before — cash can't be paid on the day. For a regular car license: ¥2,500 + ¥2,350 = ¥4,850.

Saitama-specific document points

From Saitama police's required-documents sheet (外国免許切替審査の必要書類), the points most likely to differ from other prefectures:

• Digital licenses and International Driving Permits can't be converted — you need the physical, valid foreign license
• If your license expires soon, renew it at home first, then book
• Translations only from approved providers such as the issuing authority/consulate, JAF, the German automobile club (ADAC) or the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association
• Three photos, 3 cm × 2.4 cm. Home-made or heavily edited photos must be retaken
• Certificate of residence (within 6 months, original, no My Number) with nationality, status of residence, etc.; show your residence card too
• If you used automated gates, get an official entry/exit record. Bringing all old passports is recommended

Getting to the center

Address: 405-4 Konosu, Konosu City (鴻巣市鴻巣405番地4); phone 048-543-2001. Closed weekends, public holidays and Dec 29–Jan 3.

• From JR Konosu Station (Takasaki Line) east exit: 「免許センター行き」 bus about 10 min, or about 25 min on foot (1.6 km)
• From Higashi-Matsuyama Station (Tobu Tojo Line): bus about 40 min
• From Kawagoe Station (JR Saikyo Line): Tobu bus about 60 min

Waiting 3–4 months? Practise in the meantime

The knowledge-test wait is about 3–4 months, and failing means rebooking. menkyopass's mock exam uses the same 50-question, 30-minute format, in English.

FAQ

Related guides

• Japan License Conversion Process: 6 Steps from Booking to License
• Japan License Conversion Documents: Juminhyo, Translation, Passport
• Failed Japan License Conversion? Reapplying and the 6-Month Rule
• Converting a Foreign License in Tokyo: Fuchu, Samezu, Koto Guide
• Converting a Foreign License in Chiba: Makuhari Hours & Booking

Sources (in Japanese)

• 埼玉県警察「外国免許切り替えの申請手続の方法が変わりました」
• 埼玉県警察「書類審査オンライン予約」
• 埼玉県警察「知識確認オンライン予約」
• 埼玉県警察「外国免許切替審査の必要書類」PDF
• 埼玉県警察「申請受付・知識確認」PDF
• 埼玉県警察「運転免許センターへのアクセス」
• 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」