Converting a Foreign License in Tokyo: Fuchu, Samezu, Koto Guide

Which center: Fuchu, Samezu or Koto

According to 警視庁, Fuchu and Samezu handle licenses from every country. Koto only handles licenses from the 29 countries and regions exempt from both tests (South Korea, Taiwan, the UK, Germany, Canada, Australia, some US states, etc.). With an Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese or Filipino license, choose Fuchu or Samezu.

All three are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and over New Year (Dec 29–Jan 3). Parking is very limited, and the police ask visitors to come by train or bus.

How to book: online via 警視庁行政手続オンライン

Conversion in Tokyo is by appointment only. Most applicants book online through 警視庁行政手続オンライン (the MPD's online procedures site). You qualify for online booking if you stayed a total of 3 months or more in the issuing country after getting the license and you live in Tokyo (including temporary stays).

Phone booking is only for holders of diplomatic ID cards and their families, and for people applying under the Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能) program. For 特定技能, the call is normally made by a staff member of the company that employs you, to the license center between 4 and 5 p.m.

To cancel a booking, call the License Headquarters (運転免許本部, 03-6717-3137) or the center's main number.

Reception hours and what to watch on the day

Go on your booked date between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on weekdays (closed 11 a.m.–1 p.m.). All documents must be originals — copies are not accepted. If you can't speak Japanese, you may be asked to bring an interpreter.

The driving test (技能確認) is booked separately and can't be taken on the day you apply. 警視庁 says it usually falls about 3–4 months after your booking date, so your foreign license must still be valid then. If it's close to expiry, renew it first, then book, and bring a translation of the renewed license. A digital license alone is not accepted — you need the original card or paper license.

• Certificate of residence (住民票の写し): for foreign nationals, showing nationality, status of residence, etc. (特定事項); issued within 6 months; no My Number; no copies
• Bring all your old passports (to prove the 3-month stay). If you used automated immigration gates, you also need an official entry/exit record
• Photo: 3 cm × 2.4 cm; photos from the booths at the centers are accepted
• Some countries need extra documents — see 警視庁's list by country (国別必要書類一覧)

Fees in Tokyo

From the official 警視庁 page: converting to a regular car license (普通) costs a 2,500-yen application fee plus a 2,350-yen issuance fee — 4,850 yen in total. Translation, photo and residence-certificate costs are extra.

Knowledge test languages and format

The 警視庁 knowledge test (知識確認) is available in 20 languages: English, Spanish, Persian, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, Thai, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Khmer, Nepali, Burmese, Mongolian, Ukrainian, Sinhala, Urdu, Arabic and Hindi. 警視庁 says the conversion knowledge test can be taken in these languages every weekday at Fuchu and Samezu.

Since October 1, 2025 it has 50 written true/false questions in 30 minutes, and you need 45 or more correct (90%) to pass. The driving test requires 70 out of 100 points (National Police Agency guidelines).

Getting to the centers

Main routes as listed on each center's page. Check bus times with the bus operators.

• Fuchu: Keio bus from JR Musashi-Koganei Station (south exit) to 「試験場正門」 (10–20 min); about 15 min from Tama-Reien Station, about 30 min from Chofu Station (north exit)
• Samezu: about 8 min on foot from Keikyu Samezu Station; about 15 min on foot from Oi-Keibajo-mae (Tokyo Monorail) or Shinagawa Seaside (Rinkai Line)
• Koto: about 5 min on foot from Toyocho Station (Tozai Line)

Use the wait to practise the knowledge test

In Tokyo it takes months from booking to the driving test. Failing the knowledge test sends you back to the start while your foreign license and your 6-month residence certificate keep ageing. 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 Kanagawa: Futamatagawa Booking
• Converting a Foreign License in Saitama: Konosu Online Booking

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「必要書類（共通）」PDF
• 警視庁「国別必要書類一覧」PDF
• 警視庁「外国語により受験できる学科試験について」
• 警視庁「令和7年10月1日施行・改正道路交通法施行規則について」
• 警視庁 府中運転免許試験場
• 警視庁 鮫洲運転免許試験場
• 警視庁 江東運転免許試験場
• 警視庁行政手続オンライン（予約）
• 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」