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Sri Lankan Driving Licence to Japanese: Documents and Tests

Updated: 2026-10

Sri Lanka is not on the exemption list, so after the document check you take both the knowledge test (知識確認) and the driving test (技能確認). Tokyo lists a "Driver Information Extract" and an "Affidavit" from the embassy (the English list says the affidavit may be needed). The knowledge test is available in Sinhala and English.

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Sri Lankan licences: document check, knowledge test and driving test

Only 29 countries and regions, such as South Korea, Taiwan and parts of Europe, are exempt from both tests, and Sri Lanka is not one of them (Tokyo police 警視庁, checked October 2026). The knowledge test is 50 true/false questions in 30 minutes; you need 45 to pass. The driving test needs 70 out of 100.

You need: (1) a valid Sri Lankan licence; (2) a total of at least 3 months in Sri Lanka after getting it; and (3) residence registration in Japan with a copy of your residence record showing nationality and status (住民票の写し, 特定事項入り). No proxy applications.

Sri Lanka-only documents in Tokyo

Tokyo's list of documents by country (国別必要書類一覧, as of August 2026) asks Sri Lankan licence holders for the documents below, both issued by the embassy.

The Japanese list shows both as required, while the English list says the Driver Information Extract is required and you "might also need" the affidavit. To be safe, ask the test center or the embassy before booking.

Document	Conditions (Tokyo)
Driver Information Extract	Issued by the embassy; in both the Japanese and English lists
Affidavit	Issued by the embassy; required in the Japanese list, "might be needed" in the English list
Sri Lankan driving licence (original)	Your valid licence; bring old ones too
Japanese translation (翻訳文)	JAF, the embassy, etc.
Passports (old and new)	Sri Lankan stamps showing 3 months or more

Other prefectures (Saitama, Tochigi, Miyagi)

Extra documents for Sri Lankan licences vary a lot. Saitama police require "3 sheets in total": the licence certificate from Sri Lanka, authenticated by the foreign ministry and then by the embassy in Japan. These examples were checked in October 2026; always check the latest list where you apply.

Where you apply	Extra documents for Sri Lankan licences
Saitama police	(1) Licence certificate from the licence center in Sri Lanka (2) authentication of (1) by Sri Lanka's foreign ministry (3) authentication of (1) and (2) by the Sri Lankan embassy in Japan. 3 sheets in total (required)
Tochigi police	Licence certificate from the licence center in Sri Lanka
Miyagi police	Certificate from Sri Lanka's motor traffic department or the embassy (either one)

Translation and proving 3 months

You cannot translate the licence yourself. Only designated bodies (the issuing authority or embassy in Japan, JAF and others) are accepted. JAF's translation for conversion costs 6,600 yen and takes 5 to 10 business days on average (from July 1, 2026). You apply online and upload both sides of the licence.

The 3 months are counted as total days in Sri Lanka after you got the licence. Passport stamps are the basic proof; without them you need proof of stay such as immigration records (Tokyo police). If the licence does not show the first issue date, you also need a document proving it.

Steps and fees in Tokyo

In Tokyo you book online, then go to the Fuchu (府中) or Samezu (鮫洲) test center for the document check. The Koto (江東) center only handles licenses from exempt countries, so you cannot apply there. Applications are accepted on weekdays from 8:30 to 15:00 (not 11:00 to 13:00). After the document check comes the knowledge test, and if you pass, the driving test on a later booked date. You cannot take the driving test on the day you apply.

For licenses from non-exempt countries, you can normally apply for only one license type at a time. If you want to convert both a car and a motorcycle license, prepare documents showing when you got each one and apply separately.

Fee (Tokyo police, checked October 2026)	Amount
Application fee (ordinary car, 普通)	2,500 yen
Application fee (moped, 原付)	1,600 yen
Application fee (large, medium, semi-medium)	3,900 yen
Issuance fee	2,350 yen
JAF translation (for conversion)	6,600 yen

Knowledge test in Sinhala or English

Tokyo's knowledge test is offered in 20 languages, including Sinhala and English. Tamil is not on the list. Aichi police also offer Sinhala.

According to the National Police Agency (警察庁), pass rates for October to December 2025 were 42.8% for the knowledge test and 13.1% for the driving test. Sri Lanka drives on the left like Japan, but Japanese signs, full stops (一時停止) and giving way to pedestrians at crossings are tested in detail. If you pass the knowledge test but fail the driving test, reapplying within 6 months of the knowledge test day exempts you from it. You can practice the 50-question format with menkyopass's English mock test.

FAQ

Q. Is the affidavit always required?

A. Tokyo's Japanese list shows it as required, but the English list says it might be needed. Ask the test center or the embassy before booking.

Q. Can I take the test in Tamil?

A. Tamil is not among Tokyo's 20 languages. You can choose Sinhala or English.

Q. I live in Saitama. Are the documents the same as Tokyo?

A. No. Saitama police require 3 sheets: the licence certificate authenticated by the foreign ministry and by the Sri Lankan embassy in Japan.