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 Okinawa Prefecture, foreign driver's license conversion is only available at the Tomigusuku City Driver's License Center. Document screening can be booked approximately four months in advance.
In Okinawa Prefecture, the conversion of foreign driver's licenses is processed at the Okinawa Prefectural Police Driver's License Center (Window No. 4) in Tomigusuku City. It cannot be done at the Prefectural Police Headquarters in Naha City or at any of its branch offices. The document review is by appointment only, and you can make a reservation by phone or in person about four months in advance of your desired date. Knowledge tests cannot be taken on the day of the document review; knowledge tests and skills tests must be scheduled on separate days.
Source: Okinawa Prefectural Police, "Application for conversion of foreign driver's license to Japanese driver's license (Foreign License Conversion)" (Confirmed October 9, 2026)
For those living in Okinawa Prefecture who wish to convert their foreign driver's license to a Japanese one: This guide summarizes the procedures at the Okinawa Prefectural Police Driver's License Center. It covers how to make a reservation, reception hours, the flow of the day, required documents and fees, and even driving schools where you can practice for your driving skills test.
reservation
Document screening is by appointment only. Consultations are not available without an appointment.
| place | Okinawa Prefectural Police Driver's License Center, Window No. 4 (3-22 Toyosaki, Tomigusuku City, Okinawa Prefecture) |
|---|---|
| reservation | You can make a reservation by phone or in person. Reservations can be made approximately four months in advance of your desired date. |
| Telephone reservation | 098-851-1000 (representative). Weekdays 8:30-11:30, 13:00-16:30 |
| Application acceptance hours | Weekdays 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM (at the time of your reservation) |
| holiday | Weekends and holidays, Memorial Day (June 23rd), and New Year's holidays (December 29th to January 3rd) |
- You must be registered as a resident of Okinawa Prefecture (short-term visitors are not eligible to apply).
- Your foreign license must be valid (applications with an approaching expiration date may not be accepted).
- You must be able to prove that you have resided in that country for more than three months after obtaining (or renewing) your license.
People living on remote islands and people working in the automobile transportation industry
If you live on an outlying island, please be sure to mention this when you inquire. A preliminary screening will be conducted through the outlying branch office or police station, and then you will be able to schedule an appointment to visit the office. If your residence status is "Specific Activities Related to Motor Transport Business," you will be given priority for scheduling an appointment if you bring your designation document from the Ministry of Justice when you inquire.
Procedure Flow
The process for converting a foreign driver's license in Okinawa Prefecture
- On the scheduled date,the applicant must come to the office for a document review. The requirements will be confirmed through a review of documents and an interview. If approved, the application documents will be prepared and a knowledge assessment will be scheduled. The knowledge assessment cannot be taken on this day.
- Aptitude Test and Knowledge Check (on the scheduled day):Register at window number 2 on the 1st floor at 10:00 AM, pay the fee, and take the aptitude test including vision test. The knowledge check will be held in examination room A on the 2nd floor from 1:00 PM. You must answer at least 45 out of 50 questions correctly to pass.
- The skills test (on the scheduled date)varies depending on the type of license. You must score 70 points or higher out of 100 on the on-site course to pass. The fee for using the test vehicle is 1,750 yen for the first attempt.
- After paying the license issuancefee, your documents will be checked, and your photo will be taken before your license is issued.
The foreign language questions in the knowledge check are translations of the Japanese questions. The Okinawa Prefectural Police have noted that some of the foreign language questions use expressions similar to those used in Japanese law and traffic regulations. It would be helpful to learn Japanese traffic terminology as well.
Those holding licenses from countries/regions where knowledge and skills verification are waived, or those holding a U.S. Forces Japan vehicle operator's license (SOFA license) and applying for that type of license, will proceed to license issuance after document review. Those holding only a SOFA license and no foreign license cannot convert. List of exempted countries/regions
Required documents
Documents to bring when converting your foreign driver's license in Okinawa Prefecture (all originals)
- A valid foreign driver's license (if it has been recently renewed or the initial issuance date is not indicated, a driver's history certificate or old license may be required).
- A Japanese translation of a foreign driver's license is required (this translation must be prepared by the issuing country's administrative authority, embassy/consulate in Japan, JAF, ZIPLUS Co., Ltd., the Association for Supporting Visiting Drivers in Japan, the German Automobile Club, the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, etc. Translations by individuals or unauthorized translation companies are not accepted).
- Resident registration certificate (issued within the last 6 months, without My Number information. For foreign nationals, it must include nationality, residence status, and period of stay).
- Identity verification documents (residence card for foreign nationals)
- Passport (If you renewed your passport after obtaining your driver's license, both the old and new passports are required. If you have dual citizenship, passports from both countries are required.)
- Two application photos (3cm high x 2.4cm wide, taken within the last 6 months, front view, no hat, plain background. The number of photos will increase if you are applying for multiple types of licenses.)
- Documents proving that you stayed in that country for more than three months after obtaining your license.
- Required documents vary depending on the country that issued the license and your status under the status of forces agreement.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to prove one's stay in a place using only a passport.
The Okinawa Prefectural Police advise that, with the introduction of automated gates and other measures, a passport alone is often insufficient to prove residency. Please check the "Examples of Documents to Prove Residency" on their website and prepare accordingly. If you can prove that you have resided in the country where you obtained your license for more than one year, you will be exempt from the probationary period for new drivers (including the requirement for a beginner driver's mark).
Checklist of documents required to calculate a total stay of 3 months
commission
The fee is paid with Okinawa Prefecture revenue stamps. You can buy them with cash inside the center.
The fee is paid with Okinawa Prefecture revenue stamps. These stamps can be purchased at banks within the prefecture or at the Traffic Safety Association Federation located within the Driver's License Center. If purchasing at the center, please prepare Japanese yen cash. Credit cards and cashless payments are not accepted. A fee for using the test vehicle (1,750 yen for the first time) is also required for the skills test.
Skills check practice
Driving schools in Okinawa 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.
Naminoue Driving School
3-1-1 Tsuji, Naha City. The nearest station is Asahibashi Station on the Okinawa Urban Monorail. Shuttle service is available via a dedicated app.
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 Okinawa Prefecture
Where can I convert my foreign driver's license in Okinawa Prefecture?
This is the Okinawa Prefectural Police Driver's License Center (window number 4) in Toyosaki, Tomigusuku City. This service is not available at the Prefectural Police Headquarters in Naha City or at any of the branch offices of the Driver's License Center.
How do I make a reservation to convert my foreign driver's license in Okinawa Prefecture?
Reservations can be made by phone (098-851-1000, weekdays 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM) or in person at the counter. Document screening can be booked up to approximately four months in advance of your desired date.
Can I also take a knowledge check on the day of the document screening?
You cannot take the test immediately. After passing the document screening, you will schedule a knowledge check and take it on a different day.
Can I pay the fees by card?
I cannot pay. The fee must be paid with Okinawa Prefecture revenue stamps, and if you purchase the stamps at the center, you will need Japanese yen cash.
Can I switch from a SOFA license (U.S. Forces Japan vehicle driver's license)?
A SOFA license alone is not sufficient for conversion. Those who hold (or previously held) a foreign driver's license and a SOFA license are exempt from the knowledge and skills assessments for that license type.
How many photos do you need?
You will need two photos, each measuring 3cm x 2.4cm. The number of photos will increase if you are applying for multiple types of licenses.
