Converting a Foreign License in Shizuoka: Wednesday Briefing

Where to apply depends on the license class

Shizuoka has three driver's license centers: Tobu (東部, Numazu), Chubu (中部, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City) and Seibu (西部, Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu). As a rule you apply at the center covering your registered address, but if that center has no test vehicle for the class you need, you apply at Chubu.

Tobu and Seibu only take regular automatic cars (普通AT), mopeds (原付) and small special vehicles (小型特殊). Manual cars (普通MT), large/medium trucks, motorcycles, large special vehicles and towing all go to Chubu, even if you live in the Tobu or Seibu area.

Step one: the Wednesday 9:30 a.m. briefing

First-time applications are accepted only on Wednesdays (except public holidays and Dec 29–Jan 3). Be at the reception area of your license center by 9:30 a.m. The explanation starts at 9:30 sharp and latecomers cannot join; if you miss it, come back the following Wednesday. No appointment is needed for the briefing.

On Wednesday the police explain the application process and pre-check the documents you brought. Once that's done, you book your document review (必要書類の点検). If you have difficulty speaking Japanese, the police ask you to bring an interpreter.

Every later step is by appointment

After the briefing, the steps below follow in order, each by appointment. The police note that document checks and questions take time, so allow plenty of it, and that the whole conversion can take several months.

• ① Briefing (Wednesday 9:30, no appointment): explanation of documents and a pre-check
• ② Review of your foreign license (書類審査) and interview (面接): questions on how you obtained it; depending on your answers the application may be refused
• ③ Aptitude test (適性試験): eyesight, motor skills, etc.
• ④ Knowledge test (知識確認): 50 questions, 30 minutes, 90% or more correct
• ④ Driving test (技能確認): on the center's course, 70% or more of the score (moped: knowledge test only)
• ⑤ License issued

Documents the Shizuoka police ask for

You must hold a foreign license that is valid when you apply, and must have stayed a total of 3 months or more in the issuing country after getting it. Only applicants who pass the document review can apply for the tests. All certificates must be originals — copies are not accepted. Since October 1, 2025, foreign nationals taking a license test must submit a residence certificate (住民票) showing residence status, period of stay and so on.

• Residence certificate (住民票の写し) listing nationality, residence status, period of stay and all other items for foreign residents (without My Number; no photocopies)
• One application photo (申請用写真)
• Your valid foreign driver's license (Philippine licenses: also show the Official Receipt)
• A Japanese translation of the license (翻訳文) from an approved body: the issuing authority, an embassy or consulate, JAF, etc.
• Passport(s) — bring all of them. If entry/exit stamps can't show your stay, bring proof of residence in that country such as an employment or enrollment certificate, payslips or a rental contract
• An expired Japanese license or driving record certificate (運転経歴証明書), if you held a Japanese license before
• ID: for foreign nationals, the residence card (在留カード) or special permanent resident certificate (特別永住者証明書)
• If the license's issue, acquisition or validity dates are unclear, a driving record certificate for that license, etc.

Fees (from the counter guide)

The Shizuoka police conversion page does not list fees for the conversion. The license centers' counter guide (運転免許センターの免許窓口案内表, effective March 24, 2025) lists general test fees and the license issuance fee as below. Ask at the briefing or the center which fees apply to a conversion and how much (including any test-vehicle fee).

Locations and access for the three centers

For questions, call the center directly at the numbers below.

Test language and what to do before Wednesday

The Shizuoka police conversion page doesn't say which languages the knowledge test (知識確認) is offered in. The prefecture's page on foreign-language written tests (外国語による運転免許学科試験) lists 20 languages including English for the regular written test (English only for mopeds), but it doesn't say whether this applies to conversions — ask at the briefing.

The knowledge test has 50 questions in 30 minutes and you need at least 45 correct. Fail it and you book again, pushing your conversion back further. menkyopass's practice test uses the same 50-question, 30-minute format in English, Vietnamese and Chinese.

FAQ

Related guides

• Japan License Conversion Process: 6 Steps from Booking to License
• Japan License Conversion Documents: Juminhyo, Translation, Passport
• Japan License Conversion Test Languages: Which Are Available?
• Failed Japan License Conversion? Reapplying and the 6-Month Rule
• Foreign License Conversion in Aichi: Hirabari Booking & Test Days

Sources (in Japanese)

• 静岡県警察「外国人の方が日本の運転免許を取得する方法（外免切替）」
• 静岡県警察「外国免許を日本免許に切り替える手続きの流れ」PDF
• 静岡県警察「運転免許センターの窓口案内表」
• 静岡県警察「運転免許センターの免許窓口案内表」PDF（令和7年3月24日から）
• 静岡県警察「運転免許センターへの交通機関案内」
• 静岡県警察「外国語による運転免許学科試験」
• 静岡県警察「外国人に係る住所確認の厳格化に伴う運転免許試験等の改正（令和7年10月1日施行）」
• 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」