Please have your driver's license ready to apply for switching a foreign driver's license to Japanese driver's license.
Check point!
Do you have at least one month to spare before your license expires?
If your driver's license has already expired, you cannot switch to Japanese driver's license.
In addition, the foreign driver's license must be valid until it passes the proficiency check.
The license center is very crowded, so you may have to wait about 1 to 3 months after applying for a reservation for switching to Japanese driver's license before you can actually undergo the examination.
If your foreign driver's license is likely to expire within a month, we recommend that you first go to the local DMV or license center to apply for renewal.
Get the documents you need
There are two main types of documents required for translation: those that need to be prepared in advance and those that can be prepared after the appointment date for the examination is approaching.
Start by preparing the items that take longer to prepare.
Things to prepare in advance [mandatory for all]
- Valid foreign driver's Driver's License
- Documents certifying the date of license acquisition (first date of acquisition)
- Japanese translation of Driver's License in ①
- Resident record
- Proof that you have stayed in the country/region where you obtained your driver's license for a total of 3 months or more after obtaining your driver's license (passport, etc.)
Things to prepare in advance [Applicable person only]
Resident card or special permanent resident certificate, etc. (Foreign nationals)
Things to prepare in advance [mandatory for all]
A valid foreign Driver's License
Refer to Step.1: If your license is expired or just about to expire, do the renewal procedure first!
Documents certifying the license acquisition date (first acquisition date)
If the date of license issuance or the date of first issuance is not stated on Driver's License in ①
Driver's record, official receipt, etc.
Check point!
You can check both the first issue date and the renewal date of driver's license from Japanese driver's license.
However, in some countries/regions, the date of initial issuance (the date you first obtained your driver's license before renewing your license) is not written, or the date of issuance of Driver's License itself is not written.
Regarding the required documents, it is necessary to inquire or apply to the local DMV or license center, so let's check first.
Japanese translation of Driver's License in ①
If the date of license issuance or the date of first issuance is not stated on Driver's License in ①
Driver's record, official receipt, etc.
Certificate of residence
・A copy of a resident card showing your permanent domicile (nationality, etc.) *Copies are not accepted
・Acquired within 6 months
・Items that omit the personal number (my number)
Check point!
Those who do not have a resident card (those who do not apply for the Basic Resident Register)
Since there are documents that need to be presented instead,
Please contact the driver's license center of your prefecture.
After obtaining a driver's license,
A
document that proves that you have stayed for a total of 3 months or more (passport, etc.)
A document that proves that you have stayed for a total of 3 months or more (passport, etc.)
Check point!
Passport stamps, immigration record certificates, etc. will be used to confirm the duration of stay.
In some cases, proof of enrollment/employment, graduation certificate, etc. from the local school or workplace may be required. Please count the period yourself before applying.
Things to prepare in advance [Applicable person only]
Japanese Driver's License
Check point!
If you had a Japanese driver's license in the past, regardless of its expiration date, please bring it with you. It may affect the procedure for switching to a Japanese driver's license.
international Driver's License
What to bring on the day
Resident card or special permanent resident certificate, etc. (Foreign nationals)
・A copy of a resident card showing your permanent domicile (nationality, etc.) *Copies are not accepted
・Acquired within 6 months
・Items that omit the personal number (my number)
ID photo
Check point!
・Size: 3 cm long x 2.4 cm wide
・ 1 sheet
Depending on the license center, you may be able to take pictures inside the facility, so please be prepared.
If you have forgotten your password, don't panic and ask the person in charge.
Reference:Information on application photos and photos to bring
cash
Check point!
Because there is a high possibility that cashless payment cannot be made,
It is safe to bring extra cash on the day.
Glasses/contact lenses (if necessary)
Check point!
Some license centers may proceed to the aptitude test (to check vision, hearing, etc.) on the day of examination.
Please be sure to bring your own if your naked eye vision is not sufficient. Also, unless there is a specific reason, it is better to avoid using colored lenses such as colored contacts, photochromic glasses, and sunglasses.
Hearing aid (if needed)
Interpreter (if necessary)
Check point!
Although not "something to take with you," all procedures at the license center are conducted in Japanese. If you are not comfortable with Japanese, please consult with someone you know beforehand.
Bring the documents and certificates from ① to ⑦ together.
book an audit
Check point!
Each license center has a different procedure for making an appointment for examination.
Please contact us by phone,
We recommend that you check it yourself.
examination
・Submission and confirmation of documents
・Hearing about the situation at the time of obtaining a driver's license in a foreign country, etc.
knowledge check
・Passed with 7 correct answers out of 10
・Can be taken in languages other than Japanese
skill check
driver's license issuance
Exam exemption
Check if your driver's Driver's License allows you to be exempt from knowledge and skill checks.
Countries exempt from knowledge confirmation and skill confirmation (29 countries, etc.)
Iceland, Ireland, United States (Ohio, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland and Washington only), United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Austria, Netherlands, Canada, South Korea, Greece, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Hungary, Finland, France, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Monaco, Luxembourg, Taiwan
Countries exempt from skill confirmation
USA (Limited to Indiana)
Foreign license switching fee
| Category | item | cost |
|---|---|---|
| document | Certificate of residence | 200 yen (*1) |
| translation | 6,000 yen (*2) | |
| ID photo | 800 yen (*3) | |
| Course fee | Ordinary car (AT/MT) | 2,550円 |
| scooters | 1,500円 | |
| Semi-medium-sized car, medium-sized car, large-sized car | 4,100円 | |
| Motorcycles and others | 2,600円 | |
| Issuance fee | All car models | 2,050円 |
| Combined fee (for each type) (*4) | 200円 |
*1 When using convenience store delivery
*2 When acquired through ZIPLUS Co., Ltd. (shipping charges excluded)
*3 When photographed using a photo booth etc.
*4 When obtaining two or more types of licenses, such as when applying for a motorcycle license in addition to a regular car license
Example: Converting a Class C license in California to a foreign license
If
-
Certificate of residence, translation, proof photo
7,000 yen -
Exam fee
2,550 yen -
Issuance fee
2,050 yen -
total
11,600 yen
11,600 yen