Paano I-convert ang Dayuhang Lisensya sa Lisensyang Pang-maneho ng Japan

Driving in Japan requires a Japanese driving licence — your foreign licence alone is not valid for long-term use. If you hold a licence from certain countries, conversion (切り替え / kirikae) is a relatively straightforward process. Here's how it works.

Who Can Convert Their Licence?

Japan has agreements with many countries that allow direct licence conversion without a full driving test. These include:

Test-exempt countries (written test only, no practical test):
Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, South Korea, Taiwan, and others.

Countries requiring a practical driving test (加点方式):
USA, China, Brazil, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, and most other countries not on the exempt list.

Check the exact requirements with your local Driver's Licence Centre (運転免許センター) as rules can change.

Documents Required

Bring the following to your appointment:

Foreign driving licence (original)
Official Japanese translation of your licence — obtained from the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF / 日本自動車連盟). JAF translates licences for ¥3,000. Allow 1–2 weeks. Order online at jaf.or.jp.
Passport (original + copy) — including the page showing your entry stamp(s) to Japan
Residence card (在留カード / Zairyu Card) — your current card showing your registered address
Residence certificate (住民票 / Juminhyo) — obtained from your ward office (costs ~¥300)
Photos — 3 × 2.4 cm passport-style photos (some centres have photo booths on-site)
Application fee — approximately ¥3,000–4,000 (paid at the centre)
Original country documents — some centres may ask for your home country's licence history or additional ID

Where to Go

You must go to a Driver's Licence Centre (運転免許センター) — not a regular police station. Each prefecture has at least one. In Tokyo:

Fuchu Driver's Licence Centre (府中試験場) — access: JR Musashino Line Fuchu-Hommachi Station
Koto Driver's Licence Centre (江東試験場) — access: Tokyo Metro Tatsumi Station
Samezu Driver's Licence Centre (鮫洲試験場) — access: Keikyu Line Samezu Station

Reservations: Some centres require advance booking; others accept walk-ins. Check the Tokyo Metropolitan Police website for your nearest centre's procedures.

The Conversion Process (Step by Step)

Step 1: Get your JAF translation

Order a Japanese translation of your foreign licence from JAF (jaf.or.jp). This takes 1–2 weeks by post. You cannot proceed without it.

Step 2: Obtain your Juminhyo (住民票)

Visit your ward office and request a residence certificate. Takes about 10 minutes. Cost: approximately ¥300.

Step 3: Prepare all documents

Assemble everything in the list above. Double-check passport pages — you need entry stamps to Japan.

Step 4: Visit the Driver's Licence Centre

Arrive early (many centres are busiest first thing). The counter for foreign licence conversion is usually signposted. Submit your documents and pay the application fee.

Step 5: Vision test

A basic vision test is conducted at the centre. You must meet Japan's minimum vision requirements (0.7 in each eye, or corrected). Glasses are fine.

Step 6: Written knowledge test (if required)

For countries not exempt from the written test: a 10-question traffic knowledge test is given in Japanese (translation available upon request at some centres). Questions cover basic road rules.

Step 7: Practical driving test (if required)

For countries not on the exempt list, you must pass a practical driving test on the centre's course. This tests specific skills including stop-and-go, lane changes, and the S-curve. Japan's courses are exacting — many applicants fail on the first attempt. Practice with a certified driving instructor beforehand.

Step 8: Receive your licence

If approved, your Japanese licence is issued the same day. It will be valid for 3 years initially (green licence) and upgraded with experience.

Important Notes

International Driving Permit (IDP): If you are visiting Japan for under one year, an IDP from certain countries (UK, Germany, France, etc. — Geneva Convention countries) allows you to drive without conversion. However, IDP holders who become residents should convert their licence.
US licence holders: The US has no federal IDP agreement with Japan. Most US states' licences require conversion with a practical test.
Expired foreign licence: Some centres will not accept an expired licence even if it expired recently. Check beforehand.
Language: English-speaking staff may be available at major centres, but bring your own translations of key documents to be safe.

Estimated Costs

Item	Cost
JAF translation	¥3,000
Juminhyo (ward office)	~¥300
Application fee at centre	~¥3,000–4,000
Photos (if not on-site)	¥700–900
Total	~¥7,000–8,000

If a practical test is required and you use a driving instructor: add ¥5,000–15,000 per lesson.

Summary

Converting your foreign driving licence to a Japanese one is manageable with good preparation. The most important first step is getting your JAF translation — start there, as it takes 1–2 weeks. Citizens of many countries can convert with a written test only; others need to pass a practical driving test.

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