An Overview of Foreign Driver's License Conversion: What is Foreign Driver's License Conversion? Overall Process, Conditions, Required Documents, and Costs
First, the conclusion
In Aichi Prefecture, foreign driver's license conversions can be done at the Hirabari Driver's License Examination Center or the Higashi-Mikawa Driver's License Center. Online reservations are required.
In Aichi Prefecture, foreign driver's license conversion procedures are carried out at either the Driver's License Examination Center (Hirabari) in Tenpaku Ward, Nagoya City, or the Higashi-Mikawa Driver's License Center in Toyokawa City. Both require advance reservations via the web. At Hirabari, after the document review, you will take an aptitude test and knowledge check on the same day, and if you pass, a date and time for the skills test (practical test) will be scheduled. At Higashi-Mikawa, the document review is conducted in two stages, and the skills test is held on a later date.
Source: Aichi Prefectural Police, "Driver's License Examination," "Conversion from Foreign License to Domestic License [Examination Center] [Higashi-Mikawa]" (Information as of July 1, 2026. Confirmed October 8, 2026)
For those living in Aichi Prefecture who want to convert their foreign driver's license to a Japanese one: This article summarizes the procedures in Hirabari and Higashi-Mikawa. From how to make online reservations, reception hours, the language used for knowledge checks (which vary by day of the week), required documents and fees, to driving schools where you can practice for your skills check, this article will give you a complete overview of the preparations.
reservation
Reservations can be made through the "Aichi Electronic Application and Notification System".
For both the Hirabari and Higashi-Mikawa locations, you can make a reservation by selecting the location and date/time of your application on the Aichi Prefectural Police's reservation website (Aichi Electronic Application and Notification System). Links to the reservation website and instructions on how to use it can be found on the Aichi Prefectural Police's "Driver's License Examination" page.
- Having an address in Aichi Prefecture (foreign nationals must be able to provide a resident registration certificate)
- Having obtained a foreign driver's license and subsequently residing in that country for a total of three months or more.
- The application must be submitted by the applicant themselves (applications by proxy are not accepted).
- Those who do not speak Japanese must be accompanied by an interpreter.
Licenses from countries/regions where the exam is waived have a dedicated reservation slot at Hirabari.
License holders from countries and regions where knowledge and skills assessments are waived, such as South Korea, Taiwan, the UK, and Germany, can book appointments at Hirabari every Thursday (excluding holidays) from 12:45 to 13:30 and from 13:30 to 14:45. [List of exempted countries and regions]
Driver's License Examination Center (Hirabari)
Hirabari conducts document review and knowledge verification on the same day.
| address | 605, Hirabari-Minami 3-chome, Tempaku-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture 468-8513. The nearest station is Hirabari Station on the Tsurumai Subway Line. |
|---|---|
| Reception time | Weekdays 8:45 AM - 11:45 AM, 12:45 PM - 2:45 PM (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, substitute holidays, and the year-end/New Year period) |
| Note | If the document review is not completed by 11:45 AM, you will not be able to apply for the exam that day. |
| phone | 052-800-1352 (Driver's License Examination Center) |
- Document screening (Window No. 16)I will bring the documents with me on the scheduled date and time.
- Purchase the stamp and register for the examat counter number 11, then register for the exam at counter number 16.
- Aptitude test (number 21):This includes vision and other tests. Please bring your glasses if you need them.
- Knowledge check (examination room on the 4th floor):Once a day, starting at 1:30 PM. You will have 30 minutes to answer 50 written questions, and you will pass if you answer 45 or more questions correctly.
- If you pass the skills (practical skills) andknowledge assessments, you will be given a date and time for the practical skills assessment. You will take the assessment at a designated testing course at a later date.
Knowledge checks at Hirabari are available daily in Japanese and English, but other languages are only available on specific days of the week. This list was updated on July 1, 2026. Please check the days of the week for your language before making a reservation. The Aichi Prefectural Police's "Conversion from Foreign License to Domestic License [Examination Center]" (PDF) contains a list of days of the week.
Higashi Mikawa Driver's License Center
In Higashi-Mikawa, there are two stages of document screening. Skill verification will take place at a later date.
| address | 442-0067 2-7 Kanaya-Nishimachi, Toyokawa City. Nearest stations: Toyokawa Station on the JR Iida Line, Suwa-cho Station on the Meitetsu Toyokawa Line. Phone: 0533-85-7181 |
|---|---|
| Document screening (first stage) | Weekdays, 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM (by appointment only). Only document screening is conducted on this day. |
| Document review (second stage of screening) and knowledge assessment | Weekdays, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The date will be specified after passing the initial screening. |
| Skills assessment (practical skills assessment) | Weekdays, 9:00 AM to 11:50 AM. On a designated day after passing the knowledge assessment. |
The days you can make a reservation vary depending on the country where your license was issued.
The first stage of the screening process in Higashi-Mikawa varies depending on the country of origin. Applicants with licenses from Vietnam, Brazil, or the Philippines have their screenings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; applicants from other countries have their screenings on Mondays and Fridays. Applicants with short-term stay visas are not eligible.
Required documents
Documents to bring when converting your foreign driver's license in Aichi Prefecture
- Foreign driver's license
- One copy of a Japanese translation of your foreign driver's license (prepared by the issuing authority or consular office of the country that issued the license, JAF, ZIPLUS Co., Ltd., the Association for Supporting Drivers Visiting Japan, etc.)
- Passports (both old and new, showing entry and exit dates in the country where the license was obtained)
- Residence card
- A copy of your resident registration certificate (for foreign nationals, this must include your nationality, residence status, and period of stay, but not your My Number. Copies are not accepted.)
- One application photograph (3cm high x 2.4cm wide, taken within the last 6 months, no hat, front view, upper torso, plain background)
- Japanese driver's license (for those who currently have one or have previously had one. Expired licenses or driver's license history certificates are also acceptable.)
- Black ballpoint pen, glasses (if needed)
If your 3-month stay cannot be confirmed by your passport
You will need a driver's license history certificate issued by a foreign administrative authority, your old license before renewal, and your entry and exit certificates from that country. Certificates obtained abroad must be verified by the foreign ministry of that country or have an apostille. If you have a Chinese driver's license, apply for and print your entry and exit records from the National Immigration Administration's website and be prepared to show the web page at the counter.
Depending on the country, additional documents may be required (e.g., an official receipt in the Philippines, an ID card in Hong Kong, and License Holder Details if you have multiple types of licenses in Nepal). Please check the "List of Required Documents by Country" in the Aichi Prefectural Police guide (PDF).
Select a country and view the checklist to see the required documents.
commission
For a regular driver's license, the examination fee, test vehicle usage fee, and issuance fee amount to 5,650 yen.
| Ordinary license | Exam fee 2,500 yen + test vehicle usage fee 800 yen = 3,300 yen |
|---|---|
| Semi-medium size, medium size, large size | Exam fee 3,900 yen + Test vehicle usage fee 3,000 yen = 6,900 yen |
| Issuance fee | 2,350 yen (if only a driver's license is required) |
The cost of translation and photos is separate. The total cost includes translation and practice.
Skills check practice
Driving schools in Aichi Prefecture that ZIPLUS can introduce
Some driving schools do not offer practice sessions for converting to a foreign license. ZIPLUS introduces designated driving schools in the prefecture where you can practice for the skills test required for converting to a foreign license. At designated driving schools, you can practice with cars and courses that meet the same specifications as the actual test.
CBC Driving School
3117 Higashifurukawa, Kami-Odai, Yamada-cho, Nishi-ku, Nagoya City. Located right next to Exit 2 of Shonai Ryokuchi Koen Station on the Tsurumai Subway Line. Reservation-based shuttle service is available from areas such as Nagoya Station/Sakae, Kita-Nagoya/Kasuga, Iwakura/Komaki, and Kiyosu.
Gamagori Driving School
12-5 Kawada, Kashima-cho, Gamagori City. Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Meitetsu Mikawa-Kashima Station and JR Mikawa-Shiotsu Station. Reservation-only pick-up service is available from Gamagori City, Kota Town, and parts of Nishio City and Toyokawa City. Convenient location for those applying in Higashi-Mikawa.
For driving school practice sessions, please contact ZIPLUS
The above-mentioned driving schools offer practice sessions for converting your foreign license, and these are introduced to you through ZIPLUS. Please contact ZIPLUS if you are interested, as practice availability, fees, and pick-up/drop-off areas vary depending on the time of year. We will recommend a driving school that is convenient for you based on your residential area and the date of your skills assessment.
Contact us via the inquiry form or by phone at 050-1731-8335 (weekdays 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, excluding weekends and public holidays).
Prevent failing the exam
Three reasons why even experienced drivers can fail the driving skills test.
Japanese-style safety check
This test will assess whether drivers are following Japanese procedures, such as visually checking before intersections and lane changes, and slowing down before pedestrian crossings.
driving on the left
Those who have driven in countries with right-hand traffic may sometimes enter the opposite lane after making a right turn when they are nervous.
Instructions in Japanese
The examiner's instructions are in Japanese. If you can't understand instructions such as "Turn left at the next traffic light," you will take the wrong course.
FAQ
Q&A about converting foreign driver's licenses in Aichi Prefecture
Where in Aichi Prefecture can I get my foreign driver's license converted?
You can go to either the driver's license examination center in Tenpaku Ward, Nagoya City (Hirabari) or the Higashi-Mikawa Driver's License Center in Toyokawa City. Both require advance reservations via the website.
How do I make a reservation to convert my foreign driver's license in Aichi Prefecture?
You can make a reservation by selecting the location and date/time of your application on the Aichi Prefectural Police's reservation website (Aichi Electronic Application and Notification System). If you have a license from a country or region where the exam is waived, you can make a reservation in Hirabari in a dedicated slot every Thursday.
In Hirabari, can I take the knowledge check on the day of registration?
Yes. At Hirabari, after the document screening, you will take a knowledge test starting at 1:30 PM on the same day. However, if the document screening is not completed by 11:45 AM, you will not be able to take the exam that day.
Can I take the knowledge test in English or Vietnamese?
Yes, you can. In Hirabari, Japanese and English are offered daily, while other languages are offered on specific days of the week. The days of the week changed on July 1, 2026, so please check the latest list from the Aichi Prefectural Police.
Is the skills assessment conducted on the same day as the knowledge assessment?
No. If you pass the knowledge test, you will be given a date and time for the skills test (practical test), which you will take at a later date.
Can a family member or colleague apply on my behalf?
No, you cannot apply on behalf of someone else in Aichi Prefecture; the applicant must complete the procedure themselves. If you do not speak Japanese, please bring someone who can interpret with you.
