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Converting a Thai Driver's License in Japan: Documents and Tests

Updated: 2026-10

Thailand is not on the exemption list, so after the document check you take both the knowledge test (知識確認) and the driving skills test (技能確認). In Tokyo you also need a "Driving License Certificate" obtained in Thailand. The knowledge test is available in Thai.

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Thai licenses: 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. Thailand is not one of them (Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, 警視庁, checked October 2026). The knowledge test is 50 true/false questions in 30 minutes, and you pass with 45 or more. The driving test is passed with 70 out of 100 points.

You need: (1) a valid Thai license; (2) a total of at least 3 months in Thailand after getting it; and (3) residence registration in Japan, shown by a copy of your residence record with nationality and status details (住民票の写し, 特定事項入り). You must apply in person.

Thailand-only documents in Tokyo

Tokyo's list of documents by country (国別必要書類一覧, as of August 2026) asks Thai license holders for a "Driving License Certificate" from the issuing authority in Thailand. It is hard to get once you are in Japan, so get it before you leave or ask family to start early.

If your passport has no Thai entry and exit stamps and your stay after getting the license cannot be confirmed, you also need proof of your stay (滞在期間証明書類), such as immigration records. Bring every old passport too.

Document	Where to get it (Tokyo)
Thai driver's license (original)	Your valid license; bring expired ones too if you have them
Driving License Certificate	Issuing authority in Thailand
Japanese translation (翻訳文)	JAF, the embassy, etc.
Passports (old and new)	Thai stamps showing 3 months or more
Copy of residence record (住民票の写し)	With status details, no My Number, issued within 6 months (Tokyo)

Other prefectures (Saitama, Aichi, Tochigi, Miyagi)

Extra documents for Thai licenses differ by prefecture. These examples were checked in October 2026; always check the latest list where you apply. Saitama and Aichi police say certificates issued abroad need authentication by that country's foreign ministry (公印確認) or an apostille.

Where you apply	Extra documents for Thai licenses
Saitama police	License history certificate showing the first issue date, every renewal and expiry date (from Thailand), plus immigration records
Aichi police (Higashi-Mikawa)	License history certificate, if 3 months in Thailand after getting the license cannot be confirmed
Tochigi police	Driving history certificate (Thai license center) and immigration records in English or with an English translation
Miyagi police	Driving history certificate

Translation and proving 3 months

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

The 3 months are counted as total days in Thailand after the date you first got the license, not the renewal date. In Tokyo, a total of 1 year is also checked for the beginner-driver mark (初心者マーク), and for carrying a passenger on a motorcycle: 1 year on ordinary roads and 3 years on expressways.

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

You can take the knowledge test in Thai

Tokyo's knowledge test is offered in 20 languages, including Thai (English is also available). Aichi police also offer Thai.

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. Thailand drives on the left like Japan, but Japanese signs, full stops (一時停止) and railway crossings are checked closely. If you pass the knowledge test but fail the driving test, reapplying within 6 months of the knowledge test day exempts you from the knowledge test. You can practice the 50-question format with menkyopass's English mock test.

FAQ

Q. Can I get the Driving License Certificate at the Thai Embassy in Japan?

A. Tokyo's list says it is obtained in the home country (Thailand). Ask your test center whether any document from Japan can replace it.

Q. Can I take the knowledge test in Thai?

A. Yes. Tokyo offers the knowledge test in 20 languages, including Thai. Aichi also offers Thai.

Q. My license expires soon.

A. Your license must be valid on the day of the driving test. In Tokyo that is about 3 to 4 months after booking, so people close to renewal are told to renew first and bring a translation of the new license.