Gaimen50-question practice tests in the real exam format

Ukrainian Driver's License to Japanese: Documents & Evacuee Rule

Updated: 2026-10

Ukraine is not a test-exempt country, so after the document review you take both the knowledge test (知識確認) and the skills test (技能確認). Tokyo's list by country has no separate entry for Ukraine; you apply with the common documents. Evacuees from Ukraine who do not have their license, its translation or proof of stay can replace them by showing an Immigration Services Agency document and declaring their license (Tokyo Metropolitan Police, checked October 2026).

Take a free 50-question mock test

Ukrainian licenses: document review + knowledge test + skills test

Only 29 countries and regions, such as Korea and some European countries, are test-exempt; Ukraine is not one of them. You must pass the knowledge test (50 true/false questions, 30 minutes, 45 correct to pass) and the skills test (70 of 100 points).

Common conditions: (1) your Ukrainian license is valid; (2) you stayed in Ukraine for a total of 3 months or more after getting it; (3) you are registered as a resident in Japan and can submit a residence certificate (住民票) with the special items, issued within 6 months and without My Number. Temporary Visitors cannot apply. In Tokyo, licenses from non-exempt countries can normally be converted one type per application.

Tokyo: apply with the common documents

Tokyo's List of Required Documents by Country (as of August 2026) has no entry for Ukraine. Tokyo notes, however, that the document review may require other documents.

Tokyo says a digital license alone cannot be converted; you need the original card or paper license. Keep this in mind if you only have a digital license on your phone (see the evacuee rule below).

Document (Tokyo example)	Notes
Ukrainian driver's license (original)	Card or paper original. Bring expired old licenses too, if you have them
Japanese translation	From an approved provider such as JAF or an embassy
Passports (including old ones)	To confirm 3+ months in Ukraine after getting the license
Residence certificate (住民票)	With special items, within 6 months, no My Number
Photo	3 cm × 2.4 cm, one per license type
Proof of issue date	If the license has no first issue date, or you hold two or more types

Evacuee rule: apply even without the documents

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, evacuees from Ukraine who do not have their Ukrainian license, its Japanese translation or documents proving their stay can instead present a document from the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) certifying that they evacuated from Ukraine, and declare that they hold a Ukrainian license. This applies only to people who stayed in Ukraine for a total of 3 months or more after getting the license.

The Immigration Services Agency also says Ukrainian evacuees can apply even if they do not have their license with them. The knowledge and skills tests still apply. Ask the license center of the prefectural police where you live for details.

Document	Normally	Evacuees without documents (Tokyo)
Ukrainian driver's license	Original required	Replaced by showing the Immigration document and declaring your license
Japanese translation	Required	Same as above
Proof of stay	Required	Same as above (3+ months after getting the license is still a condition)
Residence certificate, photo, etc.	Required	Required

Translation and proof of issue date

Your own translation is not accepted. Tokyo accepts translations from the issuing country's embassy in Japan, JAF and a few others. A JAF translation for conversion costs ¥6,600 and takes 5–10 business days on average (online only, from within Japan). JAF notes that it cannot translate some licenses.

If your license does not show the first issue date, you need a document proving it; if you hold two or more types, you need one for each. Saitama Police require certificates issued abroad to carry the issuing country's authentication or an apostille.

Proof of 3 months' stay and fees

Your 3+ months in Ukraine are checked through entry/exit stamps in all your passports. If those are not enough, Tokyo accepts proof such as an entry/exit record certificate, utility bills, a certificate of employment, academic transcripts or 3+ consecutive years of tax certificates.

In Tokyo, your stay also decides the beginner-mark obligation (初心者マーク, 1 year in total) and carrying a passenger on a motorcycle (1 year on ordinary roads, 3 years on expressways).

Fees (Tokyo, checked Oct 2026)	Amount
Application fee (ordinary car 普通)	¥2,500
Application fee (large, medium, semi-medium)	¥3,900
Application fee (other)	¥2,800
Issuance fee	¥2,350
JAF translation (for conversion)	¥6,600

Take the knowledge test in Ukrainian

Tokyo offers the knowledge test in 20 languages, including Ukrainian. According to the National Police Agency, pass rates in October–December 2025 were 42.8% for the knowledge test and 13.1% for the skills test.

The skills test is usually about 3–4 months after booking, and your license must be valid until then (Tokyo Metropolitan Police). If you pass the knowledge test but fail the skills test, reapplying within 6 months of the knowledge test date exempts you from it. Ukraine drives on the right, so practise turning positions for Japan's left-hand traffic. Get used to the 50-question, 45-to-pass format with the menkyopass mock test in Ukrainian.

FAQ

Q. Is a Ukrainian license test-exempt?

A. No. After the document review you take both the knowledge and skills tests.

Q. I evacuated and do not have my license. Can I apply?

A. In Tokyo, yes: show the Immigration Services Agency document certifying you are an evacuee and declare that you hold a license. You must have stayed in Ukraine for 3+ months in total after getting it.

Q. Can I convert using the digital license on my phone?

A. Tokyo says a digital license alone cannot be converted. Evacuees without the original should ask the license center whether the evacuee rule applies.

Q. Can I take the knowledge test in Ukrainian?

A. Yes. Tokyo's knowledge test is offered in 20 languages, including Ukrainian.