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 Miyagi Prefecture, foreign driver's license conversions are handled at the Driver's License Center in Izumi Ward, Sendai City. A reservation is required by phone before the document review.
In Miyagi Prefecture, the process for converting a foreign driver's license is handled at the Miyagi Prefectural Driver's License Center in Izumi Ward, Sendai City. A reservation must be made by phone before the application (document review). Reception is available on weekdays, and you must go at the time specified by the staff member you spoke to during your reservation. As of October 2025, foreign nationals on short-term stays are no longer eligible to apply.
Source: Miyagi Prefectural Police "Regarding Application Procedures for Converting Foreign Driver's Licenses", Miyagi Prefectural Police "Required Documents by Country" (Accessed October 9, 2026)
Before proceeding with the procedures in Miyagi Prefecture, it's reassuring to understand the entire process of converting a foreign driver's license: What is foreign driver's license conversion? (Conditions, required documents, costs, and timeframe)
This guide is for residents of Miyagi Prefecture who wish to convert their foreign driver's license to a Japanese one. It covers the procedures at the Miyagi Prefectural Driver's License Center (Izumi Ward, Sendai 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
Before the document review, you will make a reservation by phone.
| place | Miyagi Prefectural Driver's License Center, 1st Floor, Room 16, Examination Section Office (Izumi Ward, Sendai City) |
|---|---|
| Reservation phone | 022-373-3601（内線275） |
| reception | Monday to Friday (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and the New Year period). Please come at the time specified when you make your reservation by phone. |
| Subject | Applicants must 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 (foreign nationals on short-term stays are not eligible). |
- If you need to cancel your application after the document screening, please be sure to contact us by phone.
- Depending on the number of applicants on the day, waiting times may extend to around 5 PM, and it may not be possible to issue your driver's license on that day.
- Those who cannot converse in Japanese will be accompanied by an interpreter.
Procedure Flow
The process for converting a foreign driver's license in Miyagi Prefecture
- I will make an appointment by phoneto schedule a date and time for the document review.
- Document review, screening, and interviewGo to the examination office, room 16 on the first floor, at the designated time.
- Knowledge and skills assessment appointmentsare available by appointment only.
- The test includes an aptitude test, a knowledge assessment (such as vision tests), and a 30-minute knowledge assessment consisting of 50 questions.
- To confirm yourdriving skills, you will drive a designated course at the driver's license center, based on the type of license you are getting.
- Once you pass all the steps involved in creating and issuing your driver's license, you will receive a Japanese driver's license.
The knowledge test consists of 50 written questions to be completed in 30 minutes; a score of 45 or higher is required to pass. The knowledge test is available in 20 foreign languages, including English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Nepali, Indonesian, Burmese, Sinhala, and Hindi. Please bring a pencil and eraser. License holders from countries/regions where the knowledge and skills tests are waived 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 below.
Required documents and fees
Documents to bring when converting your foreign driver's license in Miyagi Prefecture
- Foreign driver's licenses (including older licenses). If the date of issuance is unknown, a certificate of history may be required.
- Translation of a foreign driver's license (prepared by the embassy/consulate of that country, JAF, ZIPLUS Co., Ltd., or the Association for Supporting Visiting Drivers in Japan)
- A resident registration certificate (including nationality and registered domicile, issued within the last 6 months, without a personal identification number). If you cannot obtain a copy of your resident registration certificate, you will need a proof of residence or a family register transcript, so please inquire.
- Passport (including old passports)
- Airline tickets or other documents showing entry and exit (if your passport does not have stamps from your home country)
- One photograph (3cm high x 2.4cm wide, taken within the last 6 months)
- Japanese driver's license (if you have one, regardless of whether it is valid or expired)
Additional documents are required depending on the country.
For example, Vietnam requires an academic transcript or a certificate from the embassy in Japan, Nepal requires a driver's license history certificate or a certificate from the embassy in Japan, the Philippines requires an official receipt or a driver's license history certificate, China requires basic information, and Brazil requires a driver's license history certificate (web-based is acceptable). You must bring the original certificate; copies are not accepted.
The fees are not listed on the Miyagi Prefectural Police's page regarding foreign driver's license conversion. Please confirm by making a reservation by phone.
Checklist of documents required to calculate a total stay of 3 months
Skills check practice
How to practice skills in Miyagi Prefecture
The skills test takes place on a course located within the Miyagi Prefectural Driver's License Center (Izumi Ward, Sendai 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.
Requests for skills training should be made at the time of application.
Miyagi Prefectural Police are advising those who have passed the document screening and wish to receive skills training to indicate this when submitting their application.
For training in Miyagi Prefecture, please contact ZIPLUS
If you live in Miyagi 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 Miyagi Prefecture
Where in Miyagi Prefecture can I get my foreign driver's license converted?
This is the Miyagi Prefectural Driver's License Center in Izumi Ward, Sendai City. The reception desk is located in the examination office, room number 16 on the first floor.
How do I make a reservation?
022-373-3601（内線275）に電話して、書類審査を予約します。行く時間は、予約の電話で担当者が指定します。
Can I switch my visa status to a short-term stay visa?
As of October 1, 2025, foreign nationals on short-term stays will no longer be able to complete the procedures.
Can I take the knowledge assessment in a foreign language?
Yes. The test is available in 20 foreign languages, including English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Nepali. It consists of 50 questions and takes 30 minutes.
Can I use ZIPLUS 's translation?
Yes. The Miyagi Prefectural Police guide lists ZIPLUS Co., Ltd. as a company that can create translation documents.
