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 Okayama Prefecture, foreign driver's license conversions are handled at the Mitsu Driver's License Center. Reservations can be made by phone or in person; at the beginning of the month, only phone reservations are accepted.
In Okayama Prefecture, the process for converting a foreign driver's license is handled at the Okayama Prefectural Driver's License Center in Mitsu-Nakayama, Kita-ku, Okayama City. The procedure requires an appointment, which can be made by phone or in person (appointments for document review at the beginning of the month are by phone only). The document review involves checking the required documents and answering questions about how to obtain a foreign driver's license. The questions are in Japanese, so those who cannot answer in Japanese must bring an interpreter.
Source: Okayama Prefectural Police "Procedures for Converting Foreign Driver's Licenses (Partial Exemption from Examination)", Okayama Prefectural Police "Fees Related to Driver's Licenses", Okayama Prefectural Police "Access to Okayama Prefectural Driver's License Center, etc." (Accessed October 9, 2026)
This guide is for residents of Okayama Prefecture who wish to convert their foreign driver's license to a Japanese one. It covers the procedures at the Okayama Prefectural Driver's License Center (Kita-ku, Okayama 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 or in person. The initial document review at the beginning of the month is done by phone only.
| place | Okayama Prefectural Driver's License Center, 1st Floor, Examination Reception Counter (Counter C). 444-3 Mitsu Nakayama, Kita-ku, Okayama City |
|---|---|
| reservation | 086-724-2200. Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (excluding public holidays, weekends, and New Year's holidays). Reservations can be made by phone or in person. |
| Application for document review | Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 9:20 AM and 1:00 PM to 1:20 PM |
| Aptitude test, knowledge assessment, skills assessment | Registration is open from 8:30 to 9:20 on the designated day. |
| directions | Take the Mitsu/Takebe Community Bus (Chutetsu Bus) from JR Kanagawa Station or other locations and get off at "License Center". |
- The results of the document screening will be communicated to you later by phone or other means.
- We will verify your stay in Japan for at least three months from the date your driver's license was obtained (or the date it was issued if there is no license information) using your passport or other documents. If this cannot be verified, you may need to provide proof of the date of issuance.
Procedure Flow
The process for converting a foreign driver's license in Okayama Prefecture
- Reservationscan be made by phone or in person at the counter. The initial document review at the beginning of the month is done by phone only.
- Document screeningI have questions regarding the required documents and how to obtain a foreign driver's license.
- After reviewing the results, we will contact you by phone or other means to confirm the outcome of the document screening.
- The aptitude test and knowledge checkwill be taken on a designated day. The knowledge check consists of 50 questions and will be held in 30 minutes. A score of 45 or higher is required to pass.
- You will drive on the driving skills test course at the driving skills certificationcenter in accordance with Japanese laws and regulations.
- If you pass all the requirements for obtaining a driver's license, you will be issued a Japanese driver's license.
Okayama Prefectural Police have stated that both the knowledge and skills assessments are at the level of the provisional driver's license test, and they recommend prior study and practice at a driving school or under the guidance of an instructor.
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 20 foreign languages. 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 Okayama Prefecture
- Proof of identity (residence card, passport, etc.)
- Foreign driver's license
- Translation of a foreign driver's license (prepared by the issuing country/region's administrative authority, consular agency, JAF, ZIPLUS, Aladdin, or the German Automobile Club)
- Resident registration certificate (copies not accepted, no personal identification number. For foreign nationals, it must include nationality, residence status, period of stay, and classification under Article 30-45 of the Basic Resident Registration Act. For Japanese nationals, it must include registered domicile.)
- Documents proving the length of stay (passport, seaman's book, etc.)
- Japanese driver's license or My Number driver's license (if you have one; valid or expired, both if you have both)
- One application photograph (3.0cm high x 2.4cm wide, taken within the last 6 months. No hat, plain background, front view, upper torso).
- International Driving Permit (for those who hold one from a country that is a signatory to the Geneva Convention)
- Those applying for Heavy Motorcycle or Regular Motorcycle should bring gloves, a helmet, etc.
The fees are listed in the Okayama Prefectural Police's "Information on Fees Related to Driver's Licenses." The fees for issuing a driver's license are 2,350 yen for the license only, 1,550 yen for the My Number driver's license only, and 2,450 yen for both.
Checklist of documents required to calculate a total stay of 3 months
Skills check practice
How to practice skills in Okayama Prefecture
The skills test takes place on a course located within the Okayama Prefectural Driver's License Center (Kita-ku, Okayama 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.
Those who previously held a Japanese driver's license
Those who have previously held a Japanese driver's license of the type they are applying for (including those who can provide an expired license) may be exempt from the knowledge and skills tests. Please inquire with the driver's license examination section.
For training in Okayama Prefecture, please contact ZIPLUS
If you're in Okayama 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 Okayama Prefecture
Where in Okayama Prefecture can I get my foreign driver's license converted?
This is the Okayama Prefectural Driver's License Center in Mitsu-Nakayama, Kita-ku, Okayama City. The counter is the examination reception counter (counter C) on the 1st floor.
How do I make a reservation?
You can make an appointment by calling or going in person to the Okayama Prefectural Driver's License Center (086-724-2200). Reception is open from 10:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, and appointments for document review at the beginning of the month can only be made by phone.
When will I know the results of the document screening?
We will confirm this later by phone or other means.
Can I take the knowledge assessment in a foreign language?
Yes. You can choose from 20 foreign languages. There are 50 questions in 30 minutes, and you need to answer 45 or more correctly to pass.
Can I use ZIPLUS 's translation?
Yes. ZIPLUS is listed in the Okayama Prefectural Police's guide as a place where you can get translations done.
