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 Kyoto Prefecture, foreign driver's license conversions are handled at the driver's license examination center in Fushimi Ward. Reservations can only be made by phone between 3 PM and 5 PM on weekdays.
In Kyoto Prefecture, the process for converting a foreign driver's license is handled at the Kyoto Prefectural Police Driver's License Examination Center in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City. Applications are by appointment only, and are only accepted on weekdays from 3 PM to 5 PM. According to the Kyoto Prefectural Police, the document review and knowledge check will be scheduled approximately two months in advance, and the skills check will also be scheduled approximately two months in advance. Those who cannot converse in Japanese will not be able to take the listening test, so they must be accompanied by an interpreter.
Source: Kyoto Prefectural Police "Conversion from Foreign Driver's License", Kyoto Prefectural Police "Procedure for Converting a Foreign Driver's License to a Japanese Driver's License (Guidance)", Kyoto Prefectural Police "List of Required Documents (by Country) for Converting a Foreign Driver's License" (Accessed October 9, 2026)
Before starting the process in Kyoto Prefecture, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the entire foreign driver's license conversion process: What is foreign driver's license conversion? (Conditions, required documents, costs, and timeframe)
This guide is for those living in Kyoto Prefecture who wish to convert their foreign driver's license to a Japanese one. It covers the procedures at the Kyoto Prefectural Police Driver's License Examination Center (Fushimi Ward, Kyoto 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 by phone. We only accept reservations on weekdays from 3 PM to 5 PM.
| place | Kyoto Prefectural Police Driver's License Examination Center, Main Building, 2nd Floor, Foreign License Conversion Window No. 10 (647 Hazukashi Furukawa-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City) |
|---|---|
| Telephone reservation | 075-631-5181 (Main number for the Driver's License Examination Center). Monday to Friday, 3 PM to 5 PM (excluding public holidays, weekends, and the New Year period). |
| Date and time of application | You will be informed when you make your reservation by phone. |
| Waiting time guide | Document review and knowledge assessment will take place in approximately two months, and skills assessment will take place in approximately two months. |
| Subject | Those who hold a valid foreign driver's license and have resided in that country for a total of three months or more after obtaining the license. |
- You will need a valid foreign driver's license until you pass the skills assessment.
- Skill assessments are by appointment only. Instructions on how to make an appointment will be provided after you have passed the knowledge assessment.
- Questions about required documents are also accepted on weekdays from 3 PM to 5 PM, the same hours as the reservation phone calls.
Many people have to start over because they don't have all the necessary documents.
The Kyoto Prefectural Police are informing people that many are failing the document screening process due to incomplete paperwork or expired foreign licenses, and will have to undergo re-examination. Since appointments are booked up for approximately two months in advance, having to re-examine will further delay the license renewal process.
Procedure Flow
The process for converting a foreign driver's license in Kyoto Prefecture
- Please make a reservation by phonebetween 3 PM and 5 PM on weekdays. You will be informed of the application date and time at that time.
- On the scheduled date and time for the document review and interview, you will submit your documents and undergo verification of your driver's license, name, address, and length of stay, as well as an interview.
- This is an aptitude testthat includes tests such as vision assessment.
- The test consists of 50 questions to check your knowledge; you need to answer 45 or more correctly to pass.
- Skill assessmentsare by appointment only. A rental fee of 1,750 yen applies.
- If you pass all the requirements for obtaining a driver's license, you will be issued a Japanese driver's license.
A regular driver's license is used for driving manual transmission (MT) passenger cars, while an AT-only license is used for driving AT passenger cars. A semi-medium-sized vehicle license is used for driving AT semi-medium-sized vehicles and MT passenger cars, while an AT-only semi-medium-sized vehicle license is used for driving AT semi-medium-sized vehicles.
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 Kyoto Prefecture
- A foreign driver's license (that is not expired). If the name on the license differs from that on your passport, you will also need an official document explaining the reason.
- Driving record (driving history certificate)
- Japanese translation of a foreign driver's license (created by JAF, ZIPLUS Co., Ltd., Association for Supporting Drivers Visiting Japan [ALADDIN], the issuing government agency/consular body, the German Automobile Club, and the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association)
- Residence card (for foreign nationals)
- A copy of your resident registration certificate (photocopies are not accepted. It must have been issued within the last six months and must not contain your personal identification number. For foreign nationals, it must include your nationality, residence status, period of stay and expiration date, and residence card number.)
- A passport (showing that you were in the country when you obtained your license and that you stayed there for more than three months after obtaining it, as confirmed by entry and exit stamps). If entry and exit cannot be confirmed by stamps, an entry and exit record certificate or proof of residence is also required.
- Applicant's photograph (3cm high x 2.4cm wide, taken within the last 6 months. Write your name and the date the photo was taken on the back.)
- Black ballpoint pen (erasable pens are not allowed)
- ID card (if you have an identification card from that country)
- Japanese driver's license/My Number license (if you have one, even if it has expired)
- Glasses or contact lenses (if needed), and a note of your postal code.
Additional documents are required depending on the country.
For example, a Chinese driver's license requires a resident identity card, basic information, and entry/exit record certificate; a Vietnamese license requires a printout of your license confirmed on the GPLX website; and a Philippine license requires an official receipt and a red ribbon or apostille. All documents must be originals. Please check the Kyoto Prefectural Police's "List of Documents by Country."
The application fee is 2,500 yen for regular vehicles, 3,900 yen for semi-medium, medium, and large vehicles, 2,800 yen for motorcycles, and 1,600 yen for mopeds. The rental fee for skills verification is 1,750 yen. The issuance fee is 2,350 yen for a driver's license only, 2,450 yen for both (driver's license and My Number driver's license), and 1,550 yen for a My Number driver's license only.
Checklist of documents required to calculate a total stay of 3 months
Skills check practice
To practice skills in Kyoto Prefecture
The skills test takes place on a course located within the Kyoto Prefectural Police Driver's License Examination Center (Fushimi Ward, Kyoto 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.
Plan practice sessions during the waiting period.
In Kyoto Prefecture, appointments for both the document review and the skills assessment are scheduled approximately two months in advance. Since there is time between passing the knowledge assessment and the skills assessment, you can plan your practice sessions during that period.
For training in Kyoto Prefecture, please contact ZIPLUS
If you live in Kyoto 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 Kyoto Prefecture
Where in Kyoto Prefecture can I get my foreign driver's license converted?
This is the Kyoto Prefectural Police Driver's License Examination Center in Hazukashi Furukawa-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City. The application counter is window number 10 on the 2nd floor of the main building.
How do I make a reservation?
Please contact us by phone only (075-631-5181). We are open weekdays from 3 PM to 5 PM.
how long do you wait?
According to the Kyoto Prefectural Police, the document review and knowledge assessment will be scheduled approximately two months in advance, and the skills assessment will also be scheduled approximately two months in advance.
Can I use ZIPLUS 's translation?
Yes. ZIPLUS Co., Ltd. is listed as a company that can create translations in the Kyoto Prefectural Police's list of required documents.
How much does it cost to get a regular driver's license?
The application fee is 2,500 yen, the rental vehicle fee for skills verification is 1,750 yen, and the issuance fee (license only) is 2,350 yen.
