table of contents
List of items required for the written test
The written test is taken at the prefectural driver's license center (testing center) that has jurisdiction over the address (address) listed on your resident registration. In addition to the test, there are various other procedures to go through on the day, so if you forget to bring the necessary items, you may not be issued a license even if you pass.
First of all, let's check what you need to bring for the main licensing exam.
- QR code or reservation number when completing online reservation
- Residence certificate showing your permanent domicile (copies not accepted)
- Personal identification documents such as My Number card or passport
- Photo ID for driver's license
- Various certificates such as driving school graduation certificates
- commission
- Driving license application form
- Glasses, hearing aids, etc. (only for those who use them)
- For foreign nationals, a residence card or special permanent resident certificate, etc.
- writing utensils
Now, I will explain in detail what you need to bring on the day of the exam.
Residence card with registered domicile listed
On the day of the main entrance exam, you will need a certificate of residence showing your permanent address. You can obtain your residence card in the following ways:
| Acquisition method | What you need to get | cost | Estimated time to obtain |
| Municipal office counter | Identity verification documents | 350 yen per letter | Immediately |
|
| About 1 week | |
| Convenience store delivery service |
| 350 yen per letter | Immediately |
| Smart application via internet |
|
| About 1 week |
Copies of resident records are limited to those issued by the municipality, so copies made by individuals will be invalid. Also, since your Individual Number is not required on your resident card, please obtain one that is not listed on your resident card.
Identity verification documents such as health insurance card
In order to verify your identity in this license exam, you will need to provide identification documents other than your residence card. The following documents can be used as identity verification documents:
- Eligibility confirmation letter
- passport
- My number card (with photo)
- Basic resident register card
- Special permanent resident certificate
- Student ID etc.
If you use your My Number card, you will need to prepare a photo ID since notification cards are not accepted. Also, if you already have a driver's license, you can use your current driver's license as identification.
Photo ID for driver's license
When you are issued a driver's license, you will need a photograph of yourself. There are ways to prepare a photograph in advance, such as using a photo booth or taking it to the nearest camera store.
There is a photo booth at the driver's license center, so you can take photos on the day of the test.
| Method | Shooting location | cost |
| Advance preparation |
|
|
| Shooting on the day | Driver's license center | Paid |
There are regulations regarding photos for application, so be sure to check them in advance before preparing.
- Height 3cm x Width 2.4cm
- front
- upper third body
- No hat
- no background
- Photographs taken within the last 6 months
Recently, there is also a way to print photos taken with a smartphone using a multi-purpose copy machine at a convenience store. The estimated cost is around 530 yen, including the app's paid function fee and printing fee.
However, please note that even if you meet the above regulations, the photos you bring may be judged to be inappropriate. The following photos may be considered inappropriate.
- Eyes are not facing forward
- The scenery is reflected
- It's so bright I can't see your face
- My glasses are shining so I can't see my eyes.
- eyes closed
- My eyes are resting on the frames of my glasses.
- mouth wide open
- wearing a mask
- There is no space above the head, etc.
There are many examples of inappropriate photos on the Metropolitan Police Department's official website, so please check them if you plan to bring them with you. Be especially careful not to edit photos taken with a smartphone.
Various certificates such as driving school graduation certificates
On the day of the test, you will need various certificates, including the graduation certificate awarded by the driving school.
| required certificate | date of expiry |
| Graduation certificate | 1 year |
| Provisional Driver's License | 6 months |
| certificate of completion | – |
If you are taking the practical test at a driver's license testing center outside of the prefecture without graduating from a driving school, you will need a certificate of completion as well as a certificate of passing the test. Make sure you take the test within the validity period.
commission
The written driver's license test requires an examination fee and a license issuance fee.
| License ownership type | Application fee | Issuance fee |
| driver's license | 1,900円 | 2,350円 |
| Minority driver's license | 1,900円 | 1,550円 |
| Driver's license + minor driver's license | 1,900円 | 2,450円 |
The test fee is a flat 1,900 yen regardless of whether you have an automatic or manual transmission. If you fail the test, you will be charged a test fee each time. If you pass, you will be issued a driver's license, and a processing fee of 2,350 yen will be required.
In addition, from March 2025, the My Number Card will be integrated with your driver's license and driving history certificate, making it possible to hold a My Number license.
*Only those who have a My Number card can request a My Number license.
- driver's license
My Number card and driver's license will not be integrated, and only the driver's license will be held - Minority driver's license
My Number Card and driver's license will be integrated. You can return your current driver's license. - Driver's license + minor driver's license
My Number Card and driver's license will be integrated, allowing you to continue to hold your current driver's license.
The Metropolitan Police Department has introduced cashless payments from July 1, 2021. If you are taking the main license exam in Tokyo, you can pay the fee using a credit card or transportation IC. Currently, an increasing number of cities, wards, towns and villages have abolished payment using revenue stamps, so cash or cashless payments are now the mainstream for payment of fees.
In Saitama and Kanagawa prefectures, payment is cashless as a general rule and cash payments cannot be made at the counter, so if you use electronic money or a transportation IC card, be sure to pay attention to the remaining balance.
Driving license application form
A driver's license application form is required when taking this driving license exam. Depending on your city, ward, town or village, you can download it from the official police website, so if you fill it out in advance, the procedure on the day will go smoothly.
It is also distributed at each driver's license center, so you can fill it out on the same day. Additionally, with the enforcement of the revised Road Traffic Act on June 1, 2014, submission of a questionnaire became mandatory. The items on the questionnaire are as follows.
- Have lost consciousness due to illness or for unknown reasons within the past 5 years
- Within the past 5 years, you have been temporarily unable to move all or part of your body as a result of an illness.
- In the past 5 years, you have fallen asleep during daytime activities three or more times a week despite getting enough sleep.
- Within the past year, you have had alcohol in your system for 3 or more days, or you have consumed alcohol 3 or more times despite being advised by your doctor to stop drinking.
- You have been advised by a doctor to refrain from obtaining a driver's license or driving due to illness.
You will receive the questionnaire at the counter when you register for the exam. Please note that the information you provide will not prevent you from taking the main license exam, but you may be asked to discuss it on an individual basis.
Foreign nationals who are subject to the Basic Resident Registration Act
On October 1, 2025, the Road Traffic Act Enforcement Regulations were revised, and the documents required for foreign nationals have changed.
- A copy of your residence certificate (not a photocopy) showing specific details (status of residence, period of stay, etc.) (issued within the last six months)
- Residence card, passport, or other identification documents
Other than that, you will need to bring the same items as Japanese people, such as graduation certificates.
writing utensils
A written exam will be held on the day of the exam, so you will need writing utensils.
- pencil or mechanical pencil
- eraser
Some driver's license centers will have the writing materials necessary for the written test ready for you. However, due to past cases of fraud, some driver's license centers will not allow test takers to use the writing materials they bring with them, so be sure to check in advance.
If you are prohibited from using the writing utensils you brought with you, we can lend you pencils and erasers. The handling varies depending on the driver's license center, so please check in advance.
Exam day process
Be sure to check the process so that you can take the exam smoothly on the day of the exam. Details may vary depending on the driver's license center, but the basic process is as follows.
- Reception procedure
- conduct an aptitude test
- enter the exam hall
- Listen to exam explanations and notes
- Academic exam begins
- result publication
- Photography for those who need it
- Driving license issuance
Now, I will explain each item in detail.
Reception procedure
Many driver's license centers tend to have their reception hours set between 8:30 and 9:00. Some driver's license centers divide the test into two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and the reception hours may differ depending on whether you are taking the test for the first time or retaking it.
If there are a large number of visitors, the reception time may be moved earlier or the test may be held in the afternoon, so please arrive with plenty of time to spare. After registering and paying the fee at the counter, proceed to the aptitude test.
*If you have made an online reservation, you will need to present a reservation completion email or other proof at the reception.
Perform appropriate inspection
An aptitude test will be conducted before taking the written exam. This test is always conducted when obtaining or renewing a driver's license, with the purpose of confirming that eyesight and judgment ability are maintained at a certain level. There are three types of tests: visual acuity, hearing, and motor ability.
| Inspection item | Passing criteria (regular car) |
| Vision |
|
| hearing | A sound of 90 decibels can be heard at a distance of 10 meters. |
| Exercise capacity |
|
Glasses or contact lenses can be used for the vision test. If there are no abnormalities in the aptitude test, you will proceed to the written exam.
enter the exam hall
After completing the aptitude test, you will receive an admission ticket with your examinee number written on it and enter the examination hall. Seats are assigned in order of examinee number, so check your admission ticket before sitting. If you have time, it is a good idea to go to the bathroom before the start.
Also, if you bring a problem book with you, it may be a good idea to use the time before the start of the session to review and check.
Listen to exam explanations and notes
Before the test begins, the examiner will provide an explanation about the test and precautions. Place only your admission ticket and writing utensils on your desk, and put everything else in your bag. Watches and glasses may be used during the exam.
However, this is limited to those that do not have any functions other than a watch. Smartphones cannot be used as clocks and must be turned off before the start. If you wish to use hearing aids or a magnifying glass, you will need to submit an application for special accommodations before taking the test.
Academic exam begins
Once the examiner has finished the explanation, the written exam will begin. The written exam will include text questions and illustration questions. The number of questions and points for each question are as follows.
| word problems | 90 questions | 1 question 1 point |
| illustration problem | 3 questions | 1 question 2 points |
Three illustration questions will be asked for each illustration, and points will be awarded only if all answers are correct. The exam time is 50 minutes, but you are allowed to leave the exam once you have completed all the questions.
result publication
The time from the end of the exam to the announcement of results will vary depending on the crowd, but the approximate time is approximately 15 minutes. During busy times, it may take about 1.5 to 2 hours. The examination numbers of successful candidates will be displayed on the electronic bulletin board, so compare them with your admission ticket.
The staff will explain to you who passed the test and then you can proceed to the driver's license issuance procedure. After you pass, you will need to pay the license issuance fee of 2,350 yen at the counter. If you do not pass, you may be able to take the test in the afternoon if you arrive in time for the reception.
Photography for those who need it
You can bring your own driver's license photo with you, or if you don't have one, you can have a photo taken at a driver's license center. The fee varies depending on the driver's license center, so it's a good idea to check in advance.
Driving license issuance
Finally, you will receive your driver's license. If you do not have a driving school graduation certificate, you will need to take a driver's license acquisition course at a later date. A driver's license acquisition course is a course required to obtain a license.
If you do not take the course, you will not be issued a driver's license even if you pass the written test. Even if you have a driving school graduation certificate, you will need to take the course if it is within one year of the expiration date. The date and time will be listed on the notification sent to you after you pass the written test. It will cost around 12,000 to 17,000 yen to take the course.
Points to remember when taking this exam
If you fail the driving license exam, you will not be able to obtain a driver's license until you pass. You will have to pay the exam fee each time you take the exam, so aim to pass on the first try. From here, we will explain things you should not forget and tips you should keep in mind in order to pass the main license exam and obtain your license.
Arrive at the test center with plenty of time to spare.
On the day of the test, it is important to try to arrive with plenty of time to spare. Failure to pass the driving license exam is not the only reason for not being able to obtain a driver's license. The reception hours at each driver's license center are set, so if you are late, you will not be able to complete the aptitude test in time for the start of the test.
Also, some driver's license centers close their registration once they reach capacity, so be sure to arrive early on the day.
Read the questions carefully without worrying
In this liberal arts exam, you will be asked 90 word problems and 3 illustration problems within 50 minutes. The word problems are either true or false, and you have to fill in the answers on the mark sheet. If you include the illustration questions, you will only have less than 1 minute per question, but don't rush.
This is because there are so-called trick questions among the word problems. Here are some examples of common trick questions and their answers.
| Example of trick question | answer |
| Problem 1: A green light signal always means proceeding. | × |
| Problem 2: When turning right at an intersection, you must drive slowly inside the center of the intersection. | × |
| Problem 3: When a yellow light is flashing, you must pay attention to other traffic and drive slowly. | × |
Now, I will explain each question one by one. The correct answer for a green light signal is ``You can proceed,'' not ``Go.'' When turning right at an intersection, the correct answer is "just inside" the intersection, not "inside the center."
Also, there is no obligation to slow down when the yellow light is flashing, so you can proceed as long as you are careful of pedestrians and other vehicles. It is important to read the questions calmly and not rush, as you will be able to identify the trick questions if you don't miss a single word.
Be well-groomed as there will be a photo shoot
Many driver's license centers have photo corners. However, unlike photos that are prepared in advance, you cannot take them again and again even if you don't like them. You will not be able to change your photo until three years after you obtain your driver's license, so be sure to look good on the day of your driving license exam.
If you want to use a photo that you are satisfied with, use an ID photo machine in town, a camera store, or a smartphone app. If you prepare your photo in advance, you can save yourself the hassle of lining up to take a photo after passing the main entrance exam.
Prepare well and aim for success on the first try
According to the ``Driver's License Statistics Reiwa 1st Edition'' by the National Police Agency's Traffic Bureau Driver's License Division, the pass rate from 2015 to 2019 has remained in the 75% range. Of these, the pass rate for the first-class driver's license for regular automobiles was 70.2% for those with automatic transmission (AT) and 71.5% for others.
Statistically, the current situation is that around 30% of people fail the exam. Obtaining a driver's license requires time and costs such as driving school and exam fees. Even if you have prepared well, if you forget what you need to bring or are late, you may not be able to take the exam.
Now that you have reached the final hurdle, the main entrance exam, let's aim to pass on the first try. Even if you leave home early, there is a good chance that your arrival time will be delayed due to traffic conditions. Be prepared for various situations on the day of the event and give yourself plenty of time.
