Converting a Taiwanese Driver's License in Japan: No Tests Needed

Taiwanese licenses are exempt from both tests

On the Tokyo and Saitama police lists, Taiwan sits alongside South Korea, the UK, Germany and others as exempt from both the knowledge and skills tests. Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong licenses are not exempt, so the process is far lighter for Taiwan even within the Chinese-speaking world.

Only the tests are waived. The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association (日本台湾交流協会) also notes that physical checks such as eyesight and hearing, and the check of your driving history, are not waived. The conditions are: you stayed in Taiwan for a total of 3 months or more after getting your license, you are registered as a resident in Japan, and you have the original valid Taiwanese license and a Japanese translation. Proxies cannot apply; you must apply in person.

Steps and fees in Tokyo

In Tokyo you can apply at the Koto (江東) test centre as well as Fuchu (府中) and Samezu (鮫洲); Koto only accepts licenses from exempt countries and regions. Applications are accepted on weekdays from 8:30 to 15:00 (except 11:00 to 13:00), and Tokyo residents book through the Metropolitan Police online application service.

Licenses from non-exempt places are converted one class at a time, but holders from the 29 exempt countries and regions, including Taiwan, can apply for two or more classes, such as car and motorcycle, at once.

• 1. Gather the translation, residence record (住民票の写し), passports and other documents
• 2. Book through the Tokyo police online application service
• 3. Go to the test centre on your appointment day for the document review
• 4. Take the aptitude test (適性試験), such as eyesight
• 5. Receive your Japanese license (fees in the table below)

Translation: TECO, JAF and others

Only designated bodies can translate a Taiwanese license. The National Police Agency names the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association (台湾日本関係協会) as the translator for Taiwanese licenses, and Tokyo's list also shows this association in the embassy slot for Taiwan. In Japan, translations can be made at TECO's offices; in Taiwan, through the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, with the Highway Bureau (交通部公路局) motor vehicle offices as the counter (Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, Fukuoka police).

At JAF, Taiwanese translations take 2 to 3 business days on average, faster than most countries (5 to 10). JAF prices by purpose: 6,600 yen for converting to a Japanese license, 6,000 yen for driving in Japan without converting. Ask each TECO office for its fee and timing. Self-made translations are not accepted.

Taiwan-specific documents: 入出國日期證明書 and more

According to Tokyo's list of documents by country (as of August 2026), if your passport has no Taiwanese entry/exit stamps, you need a Certificate of Entry and Exit Dates (入出國日期證明書) issued by TECO. Your length of stay is used not only for the 3-month check but also to decide whether you must display the beginner driver mark (total 1 year) and whether you may carry a motorcycle passenger (total 1 year on ordinary roads, 3 years on expressways).

Other prefectures ask for different things. Tochigi police, for example, list a driving history certificate from Taiwan's licensing office and entry/exit records. Always check the latest list of the prefecture where you apply. If your license does not show the acquisition date or you hold two or more classes, you also need proof of the acquisition dates (Tokyo).

Before converting, you can drive for 1 year with a translation

A Taiwanese license carried with a Japanese translation lets you drive in Japan without converting, for up to 1 year from entering Japan and within the license's validity. For registered residents, the clock restarts only when you re-enter after being away for 3 months or more; shorter trips do not reset it (Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association). If you are staying long term, convert before the year runs out.

You may drive the Japanese vehicle types that match your Taiwanese license class. For example, a Taiwanese 小客車 license covers passenger cars with up to 9 seats, but not the 10-seat cars a Japanese standard (普通) license allows. Once you convert, the Japanese license is valid for up to 3 years and 1 month regardless of your planned stay, and your Taiwanese license is not taken away (Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association).

No test, but relearn Japan's rules

Taiwan drives on the right, so in left-hand-traffic Japan you need to relearn where to position for turns and which way to look at intersections. From 1 September 2026, the legal speed limit on residential roads without a centre line is 30 km/h (National Police Agency). Because you skip the test, it pays to check Japanese signs and the rules for stopping (一時停止) and slowing down (徐行) yourself.

menkyopass's mock test uses the same format as the conversion knowledge test, so even test-exempt Taiwanese drivers can use it for a full review of Japanese traffic rules before they start driving.

FAQ

Related guides

• Japan License Conversion: Countries Exempt from Tests
• Japan License Conversion Documents: Juminhyo, Translation, Passport
• Japanese Translation of Your License for Conversion: JAF, Fees
• International Driving Permit vs License Conversion in Japan
• Japanese License Classes You Can Get by Converting (incl. AT)

Sources (in Japanese)

• 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」
• 警視庁「国別必要書類一覧」PDF（令和8年8月現在）
• 警視庁「国別必要書類一覧」中国語版PDF
• 警視庁「必要書類（共通）」PDF
• 警視庁「注意事項」PDF
• 埼玉県警察「知識確認及び技能確認を免除する国等」PDF
• 栃木県警察「必要証明書類（国別）一覧」PDF
• 福岡県警察「外国運転免許証での日本国内の運転について」
• 日本台湾交流協会「台湾の運転免許保有者が日本において車両を運転するための制度」
• 警察庁「外国で取得した免許をお持ちの方」
• 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」
• JAF「翻訳文の申請方法」
• 警察庁「生活道路の法定速度」