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US Driver's License to Japanese: Exempt States and Documents

Updated: 2026-10

For US licenses, it depends on the state. Licenses from 7 states (Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland and Washington) are exempt from both the knowledge test (知識確認) and the driving test (技能確認), and Indiana licenses are exempt from the driving test only (Tokyo police 警視庁, checked October 2026). Licenses from other states, such as California or New York, need both tests.

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Your state decides: both exempt, driving test only, or none

US licenses are issued by states, so the exemption is by state. Tokyo police (page updated September 7, 2026) and Saitama police (list dated September 1, 2025) give the same list. What matters is the state that issued your license, not your nationality.

"Washington" means Washington State on the West Coast, not Washington, D.C. If you switched to another state's license after moving, the state on the license you hold now is what counts.

Group	States	Tests you take
Both tests exempt	Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland, Washington	Document check and aptitude test (eyesight, etc.) only
Driving test exempt only	Indiana	Knowledge test (50 questions)
No exemption	All other states (California, New York, Texas, etc.)	Both knowledge and driving tests

Steps for the 7 exempt states (Tokyo example)

In Tokyo, licenses from these 7 states can be processed at Fuchu (府中) and Samezu (鮫洲), and also at the Koto (江東) test center, which only handles licenses from exempt countries and regions. Applications are accepted on weekdays from 8:30 to 15:00 (not 11:00 to 13:00).

Normally you can apply for only one license type at a time, but holders of licenses from the 29 exempt countries and regions can apply for two or more types together, such as car and motorcycle. Indiana is not part of those 29.

Only the tests are waived. You still need the translation, proof of 3 months, the residence record copy and the fees, like everyone else.

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

US-only documents in Tokyo

Tokyo's list of documents by country (国別必要書類一覧, as of August 2026) asks US license holders for the documents below, depending on the situation. You can get them from your state's website or in the US.

Many US licenses do not show the date you first got a license, so you prove it with a Driver Record or similar. If you hold two or more license types, you need proof of when you got each.

When	What you need (Tokyo)
Your passport has no US entry and exit stamps	Proof of stay, or I-94 (online; only for people who traveled to the US)
Your license does not show the first acquisition date	Depending on what you submit, a Driver Record or Driver History Record (online or from the state)

Examples of proof of 3 months in the US

You must show at least 3 months in total in the US after getting the license. The I-94 is the arrival and departure record for people who entered the US on a foreign passport, and you can get it from the official US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website.

For people whose passport does not show their stay, Tokyo police list examples like these. Originals are required, and some are not accepted on their own.

Immigration record certificate showing entry and exit dates for the issuing country
Utility bills (electricity, water, gas, phone, internet) showing your name, address and period of use
Certificate of employment from the company's HR department with your name and employment period, or a certificate that you accompanied a spouse on an overseas assignment
Academic transcript showing your period of attendance
Tax payment certificate for three or more consecutive years from a public institution
Proof of income with company name, address and employment period (generally not accepted alone)

Other prefectures (Saitama, Aichi, Tochigi)

Extra documents for US licenses also 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 official authentication (公印確認) or an apostille.

Where you apply	Extra documents for US licenses
Saitama police	License certificate showing the first issue date (bring all past licenses). Non-US nationals: I-94 printed from the web
Aichi police (Higashi-Mikawa)	License history certificate or old license, if 3 months in the US cannot be confirmed
Tochigi police	Driving history certificate and proof of 3 months in the US. Non-US nationals: I-94

Non-exempt states and Indiana: knowledge test in English

Tokyo's knowledge test is offered in 20 languages, including English. It 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.

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. The US drives on the right while Japan drives on the left, so relearn turning positions. Japan's version of "right on red" would be a left turn on red, and it is not allowed unless there is a "left turn permitted" (左折可) plate with a blue arrow on a white background. 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 a California license exempt from the tests?

A. No. Only Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland and Washington are exempt. California license holders take both tests.

Q. What about an Indiana license?

A. Only the driving test is waived. You still take the knowledge test (50 questions, pass with 45).

Q. I am a US citizen. Do I need an I-94?

A. Tokyo police describe the I-94 as for people who traveled to the US, and Saitama and Tochigi police list it for non-US nationals. If your passport cannot show your stay, prepare other proof of stay.

Q. Can I convert car and motorcycle licenses at once?

A. In Tokyo, licenses from the 29 exempt countries and regions, including the 7 states, can be converted together. Other states' licenses are normally one type at a time.