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 Gunma Prefecture, foreign driver's license conversions are handled at the General Traffic Center in Maebashi City. Reservations for document review are accepted online once a month.
In Gunma Prefecture, the process for converting your foreign driver's license is handled at the driver's license examination counter on the 2nd floor of the Gunma Prefectural Comprehensive Traffic Center in Maebashi City. Document screening is by online reservation only, with reservations accepted once a month on a date determined by the Gunma Prefectural Police for the following month. Only one reservation slot is allowed per person. Those who do not speak Japanese must be accompanied by an interpreter.
Sources: Gunma Prefectural Police "Procedures for Converting a Foreign Driver's License to a Japanese Driver's License (Japanese Version)", Gunma Prefectural Police "About Driver's License Exams", Gunma Prefectural Police "Foreign License Conversion Reservation Calendar (2026)" (Accessed October 9, 2026)
This guide is for residents of Gunma Prefecture who wish to convert their foreign driver's license to a Japanese one. It covers the procedures at the Gunma Prefectural Traffic Center (Maebashi City), including how to make an appointment, the application process, required documents and fees, and how to proceed with the skills test practice.
Where to apply and make a reservation
Reservations can be made online on the designated reservation day, which is once a month.
| place | Gunma Prefectural Comprehensive Traffic Center (Maebashi City), 2nd Floor, Driver's License Examination Counter |
|---|---|
| reservation | Reservations can be made through the reservation form on the Gunma Prefectural Police website. Reservations for the following month will be accepted on the day of booking. |
| Remaining booking dates for 2026 | October 20th (Tue), November 17th (Tue), December 15th (Tue) |
| form | 運転免許課 学科試験係 027-253-9300 |
| Subject | Those who are registered to reside in Gunma Prefecture, possess a valid foreign driver's license, and have resided in that country for a total of three months or more after obtaining the license. |
- The reservation form asks whether you hold a license from a country where knowledge and skills verification is waived, or if you have an expired Japanese license. An incorrect answer will invalidate your reservation.
- Your reservation confirmation email will come from @logoform.jp. Please make sure your email settings allow you to receive emails from this address.
- If you have resided in the country where you obtained your license for more than one year, you will be exempt from the probationary period for new drivers (restrictions on beginner driver status and riding two-person motorcycles).
Those who will be working in the transportation industry under a specific activity should contact us by phone in advance.
在留資格が「特定活動」で、トラック・タクシー・バスの運送業で働く方は、群馬県総合交通センター（027-253-9300、9時〜16時）に電話で問い合わせるよう案内されています。
Procedure Flow
The process for converting a foreign driver's license in Gunma Prefecture
- On the onlinereservation date, you will schedule your document review for the following month.
- Document screeningAfter reviewing your documents, you will fill out the application form and questionnaire and submit them.
- This is an aptitude testthat includes tests such as vision assessment.
- The knowledge test (written)consists of 50 questions, and you need to answer 45 or more correctly to pass.
- If you pass the practical driving test, your photo will be taken at a later date, and your driver's license will be issued.
For those with licenses from countries where knowledge and skills assessments are waived, after the aptitude test, a photo will be taken and the license issued on the same day. Issuance takes place around 4 PM, and you cannot leave the premises until then.
The knowledge test consists of 50 written questions to be completed in 30 minutes; a passing score requires 45 or more correct answers. The knowledge test is available in Japanese and 20 foreign languages. The available test dates may vary depending on the language. License holders from countries/regions exempt from the knowledge and skills tests will receive their license after a document review and aptitude test (e.g., South Korea, Taiwan, the UK, Germany, Australia). See the list of exempted countries/regions.
Required documents and fees
Documents to bring when converting your foreign driver's license in Gunma Prefecture
- A foreign driver's license and copies of both sides (A4 size). If the license does not show the initial issuance date and renewal date, please also provide documentation to prove this (such as a license record).
- Residence card (for foreign nationals)
- Passports (all with entry and exit records, including old ones), and copies (A4 size) of the photo page and entry/exit stamps from the countries where your driver's license was issued. If you do not have old passports or used automated gates, please also include entry/exit records from those countries.
- Japanese translation of a foreign driver's license (created by the issuing authority, the consulate of the issuing country, JAF, ZIPLUS, or the Association for Assisting Drivers Visiting Japan [ALADDIN])
- One copy of your resident registration certificate showing your registered domicile or nationality (issued within the last 6 months; for foreign nationals, please include all information including nationality, omitting only your personal identification number), and one copy thereof.
- One passport-style photograph (3cm high x 2.4cm wide, taken within the last 6 months. No hat, front view, upper torso, plain background)
- My Number Card (for those who have a My Number Driver's License or wish to obtain one)
- Japanese driver's license (including expired ones). If you previously held one, please submit your expired license or driving history certificate.
- In Brazil, a driver's license is an ID card; in China, a driver's license is a resident identity card; and in the Philippines, a driver's license is an official receipt.
- International driver's license (if you have one)
A photocopy of your resident registration certificate is not accepted.
You will need the original copy of your resident registration certificate issued by your municipality. In addition to the original, please prepare one copy.
The examination fees are 2,500 yen for regular cars, 3,900 yen for semi-medium-sized vehicles, 2,800 yen for motorcycles, and 1,600 yen for mopeds. The issuance fees are 2,350 yen for a driver's license only, 1,550 yen for a My Number driver's license only, and 2,450 yen for both. For a regular car license only, the total is 4,850 yen.
Checklist of documents required to calculate a total stay of 3 months
Skills check practice
How to practice skills in Gunma Prefecture
The skills test takes place on a course located within the Gunma Prefectural Comprehensive Traffic Center (Maebashi City). Those with little experience driving on Japanese roads should practice Japanese-style driving before taking the test. However, some driving schools do not offer training for foreign license conversion.
practice at a driving school
At a designated driving school, you can use a vehicle of the same specifications as the test and have an instructor check your safety procedures in the Japanese style. You will need to check with each driving school to see if they accept students for foreign license conversion practice.
Learn the flow by watching the video.
The SAMURAI DRIVER skills test preparation video allows you to learn the entire test process in advance, from pre-ride checks to how to turn at intersections.
Prepare by working backward from the reservation date.
Reservations can only be made once a month on the designated reservation day, and only for the following month. Check the Gunma Prefectural Police reservation calendar to find the next reservation date and plan your paperwork and practice schedule accordingly.
For training in Gunma Prefecture, please contact ZIPLUS
If you live in Gunma Prefecture and would like to practice converting your foreign driver's license, please contact ZIPLUS. We will ask about your residential area and your planned date for skills assessment, and then guide you through the practice process.
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 Gunma Prefecture
Where in Gunma Prefecture can I get my foreign driver's license converted?
This is the driver's license examination counter on the second floor of the Gunma Prefectural Comprehensive Transportation Center in Maebashi City.
When can I make a reservation?
Reservations for the following month are made online on the reservation dates (once a month) announced by the Gunma Prefectural Police. The remaining reservation dates for 2026 are October 20th, November 17th, and December 15th.
Can I use ZIPLUS 's translation?
Yes. ZIPLUS is listed in the Gunma Prefectural Police guide as a place where you can get translations done.
How much does it cost to get a regular driver's license?
The examination fee is 2,500 yen and the issuance fee (for the license only) is 2,350 yen, for a total of 4,850 yen.
