How to convert a foreign license into a Japanese one

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• Fuchu Driver’s License Testing and Issuing Center
• Samezu Driver’s License Testing and Issuing Center
• Koto Driver’s License Testing and Issuing Center

• You may be asked to bring an interpreter if you don’t speak Japanese.
• At Fuchu or Samezu Driver’s License Testing and Issuing Center, application can be made by those who have a driving license of any country or region.
• At Koto Driver’s License Testing and Issuing Center, application can be made only by those who have a driving license issued in 29 countries and a region listed below.

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, The United States of America (States of Hawaii, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia and Washington only), and Taiwan

The United States of America (Indiana State only)

• Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• (Application desk closed between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.)
• Driver’s License Testing and Issuing Centers are closed during national holidays, year-end and new year holidays (between 29 Dec and 3 Jan).
• Depending on the volume of applicants, it may take up to half a day to complete all the procedures, or your license may not be issued on the same day of application.

Ordinary motor vehicle license	2,550 yen
Moped license	1,500 yen
Large-sized, Medium-sized or Semi Medium-sized motor vehicle license	4,100 yen
Other	2,600 yen
Issuance fee	2,050 yen
Fee for adding vehicle categories on your license	200 yen per a category

1. Valid foreign driving license
   • If your driving license does not show the issue date, you are required to submit a document which verifies the date you first obtained your license (e.g. your driver’s record).
   • If you have a license for multiple vehicle categories (e.g. ordinary motor vehicle and ordinary motorcycle, etc.), you are required to submit a document which verifies the dates you first obtained licenses for those categories.
2. Japanese translation of your license
   You are required to submit a Japanese translation of your license that are issued by the authorities listed below.
   • The embassy of the issuing country in Japan, or The Japan-Taiwan Relations Association (Taiwanese license holders)
   • The Japan Automobile Federation (JAF)
   • The German Automobile Federation(ADAC) (German license holders)
   • ZIPLUS Co., Ltd. (American, Chinese, Philippine, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, and Hong Kong license holders)
3. Official copy of your Certificate of Residence (“Jumin-hyo”) which shows your registered domicile or nationality (if you are subject to the Residential Basic Book Act).
   • You are required to submit a “Jumin-hyo” that does not show your “My Number” (photocopies are not accepted).
   • If you brought a “Jumin-hyo” with “My Number”, you would be asked to black out the “My Number”.
   • If your “Jumin-hyo” cannot be issued since you are currently working abroad, or due to other reasons, you are required to submit a Certificate of Temporary Return (“Ichiji Kikoku Shomeisyo”) and a Certificate of Family Register (“Koseki Tohon”). The former should be attached to a copy of an official ID (e.g. driving license) which shows the address of a person who certifies your temporary address in Japan.
   • Note: In case the address you are temporary staying at is different to the address of the person who certifies your temporary return, you are required to submit a document which confirms your temporary address in Japan.
4. Passport or other official ID (if you are not subject to the Residential Basic Book Act).
   You are required to present one of the following.
   • Passport
   • Official ID issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
   • ID document issued by a competent authority
5. If you are not able to obtain a Certificate of Residence (Jumin-hyo) since you have deleted your Registered Domicile (thus, you are not subject to the Residential Basic Book Act), you are required to submit a document which certifies the place you are currently staying at in Japan. You are required to submit a document made by the head of the household or the manager of the accommodation you are currently staying at. A photo copy of official ID (e.g. driving license) which shows such person’s address should be attached to the document.
6. Document, ID, etc. which proves that you have stayed in the license-issuing country or region for a total of three months or more since you obtained your license (e.g. passport)
   • Please bring all of your passports, including expired ones.
   • If you got through the automated passport control at the immigration, please bring a certificate which proves you stayed in the license-issuing country or region for the required period.
   • You may be required to submit an immigration certificate even if you did not go through the automated passport control.
   • For more details, please contact a Driver’s License Testing and Issuing Center
7. Photograph for application form (3cm × 2.4cm)
   • Application photo must be coloured, front facing, showing your body above chest, with no hat or head covering on (unless you have religious or medical reasons), with plain background, taken within six months before the date of application.
   • Please do not wear colored contact lenses.
   • Photos are checked during the application process. Grainy photos or photos taken at home are not accepted.
   • One photo is required for each vehicle category you apply for.
   • This photo is not used to make a driving license.

Ordinary motor vehicle license	18 years old or older
Ordinary motorcycle license	16 years old or older
Medium-sized motor vehicle license	20 years old or older
Large-sized motor vehicle license	21 years old or older

You are required to have stayed in the country or region where you obtained your license for a total of three months or more since you obtained it.

• In order to convert a foreign license, you are required to take a knowledge test and a driving skills test.
• To take a driving skills test, you need to make an appointment in advance. You may not take a test on the day of your application.
• Drivers who obtained their licenses in the 29 countries and a region mentioned above are exempt from the knowledge test and driving skills test.
• As a result of the state of emergency declared by authorities, some drivers may be subject to special treatment. Normally, drivers who passed a knowledge test, yet failed a driving skills test, are exempt from another knowledge test, providing a reapplication is made within 6 months after the failed test. Under the current circumstances, a reapplication must be made within 6 months PLUS the number of days during which the state of emergency is in effect. This “window” keeps extending as long as the state of emergency remains intact in any area of Japan. For more information, please contact Driver’s License Testing and Issuing Centers.