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 Hiroshima Prefecture, foreign driver's license conversions are handled at the driver's license centers in Hiroshima City or Fukuyama City. Reservations can only be made by phone between 2 PM and 4 PM on weekdays.
In Hiroshima Prefecture, you can convert your foreign driver's license at either the Hiroshima Prefectural Driver's License Center in Saeki Ward, Hiroshima City, or the Eastern Driver's License Center in Fukuyama City. You need to make an appointment for the examination date, and appointments are accepted on weekdays from 2 PM to 4 PM by calling the Hiroshima Prefectural Police main number (082-228-0110). Please tell the operator whether you are calling for "Hiroshima" or "Eastern".
Source: Hiroshima Prefectural Police, "Converting a Foreign Driver's License to a Japanese Driver's License," "Places to Translate Foreign Driver's Licenses" (Accessed October 9, 2026)
Before starting the process in Hiroshima Prefecture, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the entire foreign driver's license conversion process: What is a foreign driver's license conversion? (Conditions, required documents, costs, and timeframe)
This guide is for residents of Hiroshima Prefecture who wish to convert their foreign driver's license to a Japanese one. It covers the procedures at the Hiroshima Prefectural Driver's License Center and the Eastern Hiroshima Driver's License Center, including how to make an appointment, the application process, required documents and fees, and even driving schools where you can practice for your driving skills test.
Where to apply and make a reservation
Reservations are by phone only. Please specify whether you are in "Hiroshima" or "Eastern Hiroshima".
| Hiroshima Prefectural Driver's License Center | 731-5198 3-1-1 Ishiuchi Minami, Saeki-ku, Hiroshima City |
|---|---|
| Eastern Driver's License Center | 54-2 Yamakita, Seto-cho, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture 720-0838 |
| Telephone reservation | Hiroshima Prefectural Police Representative: 082-228-0110 (Monday-Friday, 2 PM - 4 PM, excluding public holidays, substitute holidays, and the year-end/New Year period) |
| Application for issuance | Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM (If you pass, the certificate will be issued the following day or later). |
- The applicant must apply in person (applications by proxy are not accepted).
- Individuals whose Japanese driver's license is currently under administrative suspension are not eligible to apply.
- Foreign nationals who are not subject to the Basic Resident Register Act are generally not eligible to apply.
Procedure Flow
The process for converting a foreign driver's license in Hiroshima Prefecture
- Please make a reservation for your application by phonebetween 2 PM and 4 PM on weekdays using the main telephone number.
- Document Review and Eligibility Verification:We will verify your eligibility to take the exam through your application documents. We will also answer questions about your medical condition and symptoms.
- Knowledge and skills assessmentAfter verifying your eligibility, the date and time of the exam will be determined. The knowledge test consists of 50 true/false questions, and the skills test is a practical test specific to the type of license you are applying for.
- If you pass the aptitude test and license issuance, your license will be issued the following day or later (a separate issuance fee is required).
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 20 foreign languages, including English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Nepali, Indonesian, Burmese, Sinhala, and Hindi. License holders from countries/regions exempt from the knowledge and skills tests will receive their licenses after a document review and aptitude test (e.g., South Korea, Taiwan, the UK, Germany, Australia). See the list of exempted countries/regions below.
Required documents and fees
Documents to bring when converting your foreign driver's license in Hiroshima Prefecture
- A foreign driver's license (international driver's license is not acceptable)
- A Japanese translation of your foreign driver's license (prepared by the embassy or consulate of the country that issued the license, JAF, ZIPLUS Co., Ltd., or the Association for Supporting Drivers Visiting Japan. If the translation does not include the date of issuance, please consult in advance.)
- Passport or similar document (showing the dates of entry and exit, and confirming that you have stayed in that country for a total of three months or more after obtaining your license. If you have multiple documents to prove this, please include all of them.)
- One copy of your resident registration certificate (for foreign nationals, this must include all information such as nationality, residence status, and period of stay. Copies are not accepted.)
- Japanese driver's license (for those who have held one in the past, including expired ones)
- One application photograph (3.0cm high x 2.4cm wide, taken within the last 6 months, no hat, front view, plain background, upper torso only)
- Required documents vary by country (e.g., China requires an identity card and basic information, the Philippines requires an official receipt, and Brazil requires a CPF).
The issuance fee is 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. The examination fee varies depending on the type of license.
Checklist of documents required to calculate a total stay of 3 months
Skills check practice
Driving schools in Hiroshima 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.
Royal Driving School Hiroshima
5-2-4 Funakoshi-minami, Aki-ku, Hiroshima City. Approximately 5 minutes by free shuttle bus from JR Kaitaichi Station. Shuttle service is booked via app.
Royal Driving School Fukuyama Branch
4-15-31 Matsunaga-cho, Fukuyama City. Approximately 4 minutes on foot from JR Matsunaga Station. Pick-up service is available via app reservation.
Binan Driving School
153 Minami-Imazu-cho, Fukuyama City. The nearest stations are Matsunaga Station and Higashi-Onomichi Station on the JR Sanyo Main Line. A free shuttle bus is available.
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 Hiroshima Prefecture
Where in Hiroshima Prefecture can I get my foreign driver's license converted?
You can go to either the Hiroshima Prefectural Driver's License Center (Saeki Ward, Hiroshima City) or the Eastern Driver's License Center (Fukuyama City).
How do I make a reservation?
Call the Hiroshima Prefectural Police main number, 082-228-0110, between 2 PM and 4 PM on weekdays. Tell the operator whether you are calling from "Hiroshima" or "Eastern Hiroshima."
If I pass, will I receive my driver's license that same day?
If you pass, the certificate will be issued the following day or later.
Can a family member apply on my behalf?
No, that's not possible. The person themselves must apply.
