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 Mie Prefecture, foreign driver's license conversions are handled at the Tsu City Driver's License Center. Document screening is now done via online reservation.
In Mie Prefecture, the process for converting a foreign driver's license is handled at the Mie Prefectural Driver's License Center in Tsu City. Reservations for the document review are primarily made online through the Mie Prefectural Police's electronic application system. The document review day is for documents only; after passing this stage, you will need to schedule separate appointments for knowledge and skills tests. Forgetting documents or being late will result in your application being rejected.
Source: Mie Prefectural Police, "Information Regarding the Conversion of Foreign Driver's Licenses to Japanese Driver's Licenses" (Accessed October 9, 2026)
Before proceeding with the procedures in Mie Prefecture, it's reassuring to understand the entire process of converting to a foreign driver's license: What is foreign driver's license conversion? (Conditions, required documents, costs, and timeframe)
This guide is for residents of Mie Prefecture who wish to convert their foreign driver's license to a Japanese one. It covers the procedures at the Mie Prefectural Driver's License Center (Tsu City), 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
The document screening process is, in principle, conducted online by appointment.
| place | Mie Prefecture Driver's License Center (2566 Tarumi, Tsu City), Foreign Driver's License Examination Section. Telephone: 059-229-1212 |
|---|---|
| reservation | The basic method is online reservation (via the electronic application form on the Mie Prefectural Police website). If you do not have internet access, please call. |
| Document screening day | Monday to Friday (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and the year-end/New Year period) |
| Subject | Those who live in Mie Prefecture, have a valid foreign driver's license, and have resided in that country for a total of three months or more after obtaining the license. |
- If you do not understand Japanese, you must be accompanied by an interpreter (you may not be able to apply without one).
- Those with a "Designated Activities" residence status (automobile transport business) should contact the driver's license center by phone (prepare your passport with the "Designation Certificate" from the Immigration Services Agency).
- On the day of the document screening, bring all your documents with you. If you forget anything or are late, your application will not be accepted.
Procedure Flow
The process for converting a foreign driver's license in Mie Prefecture
- You can book an online appointment for the document reviewthrough the Mie Prefectural Police's electronic application system.
- Document screening (on the scheduled date):This day is for document screening only. If you pass, you will schedule a knowledge check.
- The aptitude test and knowledge assessment (to be taken at a later date)will be taken on the scheduled date.
- Skills Test (Later Date):After passing the knowledge test, you will schedule and take the skills test.
- If you pass all the requirements for obtaining a driver's license, you will be issued a Japanese driver's license.
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 can be taken in Japanese, English, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, Indonesian, and other languages. 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 Mie Prefecture
- A valid foreign driver's license (including older licenses)
- Residence card
- Japanese translation of the foreign driver's license (prepared by the issuing government agency, embassy/consulate, JAF, ZIPLUS Co., Ltd., or the Association for Supporting Foreign Drivers in Japan)
- Passports (all those issued to date)
- Driver's license history certificate, etc. (e.g., licenses that do not have the initial acquisition date or issuance date written on them, or if you hold two or more types of licenses)
- One photograph (taken within the last 6 months, no hat, front view, plain background, 3cm high x 2.4cm wide. Passport-sized photographs are not acceptable).
- Resident registration certificate (For foreign nationals, this must include all information such as nationality, residence status, and period of stay. Must be issued within the last 6 months, and copies are not accepted. Not required if you show your My Number Driver's License.)
- Japanese driver's license (for those who have held one before)
If you do not have a stamp, please prepare documents proving your stay.
If you do not have entry or exit stamps, such as when using an automated gate, you will need to prove your length of stay with documents such as entry/exit records, employment certificates, academic transcripts, tax certificates, and residence certificates. The Mie Prefectural Police website has a list of required documents for each country (e.g., China requires basic information, academic transcripts, and entry/exit records; the Philippines requires apostille-certified documents, License History, and Official Receipt; and Nepal requires driving records). All required documents must be originals.
Fees vary depending on the type of license. Please check when making your reservation.
Checklist of documents required to calculate a total stay of 3 months
Skills check practice
Driving schools in Mie 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.
Tsu Driving School
3-15 Hakata-cho, Tsu City. A free shuttle bus service is available by reservation, picking you up near your home.
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 on converting foreign driver's licenses in Mie Prefecture
Where can I get my foreign driver's license converted in Mie Prefecture?
This is the Mie Prefecture Driver's License Center (Foreign License Examination Section) in Tsu City.
How do I make a reservation?
Appointments for document review are primarily made online through the Mie Prefectural Police's electronic application system. Those without internet access will be contacted by phone.
Can I also take a knowledge check on the day of the document screening?
You cannot take the exam. The document review day is for document review only; the knowledge check will be conducted at a later date.
Can I use a passport photo?
This is not acceptable. A photograph measuring 3cm (height) x 2.4cm (width) is required.
