Gaimen Kirikae in Kyushu: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re living in Kyushu now, and you’ve realized that being able to drive a car or motorcycle would be quite handy, but how exactly do you go about converting your foreign drivers license? Many foreign residents in Kyushu go through the 外免切替 (gaimen kirikae) process, and while national rules apply, each prefecture has its own quirks, timelines, and local tips. Below is a friendly, step-by-step guide tailored for Kyushu, including real advice from recent applicants.

Whether you live in Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, or anywhere in between, this guide will help you plan your application, avoid common pitfalls, and boost your chances of passing.

What Is Gaimen Kirikae — and Why It Matters

Gaimen kirikae means turning a valid foreign driver’s license into a Japanese one. Unlike applying for a brand-new Japanese license (which often involves long driving school programs), conversion can skip a lot, if you satisfy the conditions and pass any required exams.

If your home country is on the “exempt list,” you may skip the written or practical test. But if not, you’ll need to pass both a knowledge (written) test and a driving exam on a closed course. The good news? With preparation and local insight, many people succeed within a few tries.

At Ziplus, for example, we support you in:

Fast, official translations (often 1–2 days)
Study materials and exam preparation
Multilingual assistance and driving practice coordination

Eligibility: Who Can Convert Their License in Kyushu?

Before you get your hopes up, make sure you meet these basic conditions:

You hold a valid foreign driver’s license. (Expired licenses are often disqualified.)
You can prove that you lived in the country that issued the license for at least three months after it was issued (via passport stamps, entry/exit records, etc.).
You hold valid legal status in Japan (residence card, visa, etc.).
You’re not just visiting — short-term tourists typically cannot do the conversion.
If your country is exempt, you may bypass portions of testing.

If you fail to meet one of these, your application might be rejected before even getting to the test.

Step-by-Step: How Gaimen Kirikae Works in Kyushu

Here’s the general flow you’ll go through:

Obtain a Japanese translation of your foreign license
Gather your documents (passport(s), residence card, proof of stay, photo, etc.)
Reserve your appointment at the license center that handles conversions
Submit documents & screening (on arrival)
Take the eyesight test
Written (knowledge) exam — if required
Practical driving test — if required
Receive your Japanese license (same day or within a few days, depending on schedule)

In many Kyushu license centers, if you pass the document screening and eyesight/written tests, the driving exam may follow on the same day or at least soon after. But in some places, the practical test is scheduled later.

Prefecture Insights: What Locals and Applicants Say

Here’s advice based on recent feedback from people who’ve done the process in Kyushu:

Fukuoka (Chikuho / Chikugo)

Fukuoka is by far the busiest conversion center in Kyushu. Many people say:

Book your test slot early — spots vanish fast.
Small errors cost big — failing happens for minor mistakes: late signaling, mirror checks, hesitations.
Practice at designated driving schools — simulate the exact test layout and commands.
Language issues matter — all examiner instructions are in Japanese; missing a step due to misunderstanding is common.

Tip: Visit early in the morning. If possible, watch or ask about the test course in advance so nothing catches you off guard.

Kumamoto

Kumamoto is somewhat less crowded but still holds certain demands:

Many applicants were turned away when they couldn’t prove the “3 months after license issuance” rule.
Mock test lessons at local driving schools helped several people gain confidence.
Arriving late or missing a document will often mean rescheduling altogether.

Tip: Bring all your passports and entry/exit records. Block off a full day, because delays or rejections happen more often than you’d expect.

Nagasaki / Kagoshima / Oita / Miyazaki

These prefectures handle fewer foreign conversions. That brings pros and cons:

Pro: Less competition for test slots (in some cases).
Con: Fewer language supports, stricter document checking, and slower retest scheduling.
Advice: Bring extra copies of everything, have someone bilingual accompany you, and confirm schedules by phone ahead of time.

Interview & “Unexpected Questions”

While it’s not always talked about, several foreign applicants report a short “interview” section during document screening. They were asked questions like:

“How long did you hold your license?”
“Why are you converting now?”
“Have there been driving infractions?”

Discrepancies between your answers and documentation have, in some cases, led to rejections on the spot. Being consistent is important.

Also: many people say the driving test can require more than one attempt. Some fail multiple times before passing. So it’s wise to mentally prepare for that possibility.

Common Reasons for Failure & How to Avoid Them

Even experienced foreign drivers often fail, mostly for reasons that are hard to know without knowing what they evaluate specifically:

Misunderstanding instructions — examiner commands may only come in Japanese
Poor mirror checks or blind-spot views — in Japan, the mirror scan pattern is strict
Late or incorrect signaling — must begin earlier than you expect
Nervousness — panic leads to overcorrection or missing steps
Missing paperwork — even one missing item can stop your test
Insufficient proof of stay — especially if entry stamps or immigration history are unclear

To avoid these pitfalls, it’s worth investing in practice on a course that imitates the actual test environment, studying traffic rules in Japanese, and ensuring all your documents are airtight.

What’s Changing in 2025 & Why That Matters

Heads-up: starting October 2025, the written (knowledge) exam format will change—expanding from 10 to 50 questions, and with more topics tested. The passing threshold may also become stricter. Many current resources and practice quizzes are already being updated to reflect this. So if you convert your license before then, you may see an easier version; afterward, the hurdle could be higher.

Also, because foreign residents continue to increase, many license centers in Kyushu may tighten scheduling and capacity. That means even in less busy prefectures, booking early and being overprepared will matter more than ever.

How Much Time & Money to Expect

Translation: Depending on service, expect a few thousand yen and 1–3 days turnaround (or faster with express services).
License center fees: Usually a few thousand yen for application, tests, etc.
Driving lessons (if needed): Depends on your location, but plan for extra sessions to practice the exact test course.
Timeline: For exempt countries, everything might wrap up in weeks. If you need the driving test or multiple attempts, it may stretch to months.

Final Encouragement

Gaimen kirikae in Kyushu may seem daunting, but hundreds of foreign residents navigate it every year. The keys are preparation, local insight, practice and knowing that many get it done with persistence. For now, just take it step by step and you will soon find yourself holding a brand new Japanese license.

Want to get started? Get your official driver’s license translation here!

Or if you want to read more like this, why not check out these articles?

Comprehensive Guide to Foreign License Conversion
Practice Questions for the October 2025 Gaimen Kirikae Written Exam
[2025 Complete Guide] How to Prepare for Gaimen Kirikae Tests in Japan

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