Introduction

If you have a foreign driver Driver's License and live in Osaka, are you having trouble switching to a Japanese driver's Driver's License? In fact, there are many people who have tried to take the conversion test several times but have not been able to pass, and are still unable to switch.

In fact, the biggest hurdle in switching your driver's license is the skill check (practice test). The number of people switching their foreign licenses in Osaka is increasing year by year. In particular, the number has increased dramatically in recent years (since COVID-19), and if you fail the skill check (practice test) once, you may have to wait 3 to 4 months before you can make another appointment.

In this situation, the automobile transportation industry has been newly added to the specified skills category starting this year in 2024. It is expected that about 25,000 foreigners will work in the automobile transportation industry over the next five years. Furthermore, the need for foreigners to obtain a driver's license will continue to increase, as ground handling personnel working at airports are required to obtain a Japanese driver's license and home care services are scheduled to start for foreigners working in the nursing care industry from 2025 onwards. Reservations at license centers are expected to become even more crowded.

In this article, we will introduce you to ways to pass the skill confirmation (skill test) on the first try, including how to understand the test questions in advance, how to prepare, and how to practice in an environment that is just like the real test, as well as things to keep in mind before the test and how to review! In addition, we will also introduce study videos (textbooks) that are available in multiple languages, so this is a must-see for foreigners who are not good at Japanese!

Three reasons why the skill verification (skill test) for converting a foreign driver's license is difficult

Even people who have years of driving experience abroad and are used to driving fail the driving skills test many times. The average pass rate is said to be in the 30% range (including Japanese test-takers). With the number of foreign workers expected to increase in the future, what is the reason for such a low pass rate?

There are three reasons for this:

1. Lack of understanding of Japanese-style driving behavior such as safety checks​​
   In fact, the test for converting a foreign driver's license tests whether or not you understand Japanese traffic rules and driving manners. In other words, no matter how used to driving you are, if you don't know the Japanese traffic rules, you will fail. In particular, those who wish to convert a foreign driver's license are used to foreign traffic rules and driving manners, so it is difficult for them to pass the Japanese driving test.
2. I'm not used to driving on the left side of the road.​​
   In the United States, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and other countries, people drive on the right side of the road. When driving on the course, if there is a car ahead, you follow it, so driving the wrong way is not likely to happen, but there is only one test vehicle driving on a wide course. There are many cases where points are deducted for driving the wrong way, such as when turning right at an intersection due to extreme nervousness.
3. Unable to understand driving instructions in Japanese​​
   The examiner for the skill check is a police officer. Naturally, the examiner will give driving instructions in Japanese. If you do not understand these driving instructions correctly and do not drive as instructed, you will be pointed out. Extreme tension can lead to panic, and you may not be able to drive as you normally would, resulting in unfortunate results.

Measures to check driving skills when switching to a foreign driving license in Osaka - A guide to using designated driving schools

We recommend designated driving schools for practicing your driving skills (driving skills test) in Osaka!

You can practice for the practical driving test (practice test) in Osaka Prefecture at Kadoma Driver's License Examination Center or at a designated driving school in Osaka Prefecture.
In Osaka Prefecture, there are only two locations where you can take the skill check (skill test) for foreign driver's license conversion: Kadoma Driver's License Examination Center (Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture) or Komyoike Driver's License Examination Center (Izumi City, Osaka Prefecture) (as of March 2025).

Kadoma Driver's License Examination Center

Komyoike Driver's License Examination Center

We recommend designated driving schools for practicing your driving skills (driving skills test) in Osaka!

Practice sessions at Kadoma Driver's License Examination Center are held every Saturday, for 50 minutes each, and are limited to two sessions (100 minutes) per day. For this reason, practice sessions at the license center are extremely busy. In the first place, the phone lines are so busy that you can't even get through to make a reservation.

Therefore, you will have to practice at either a designated driving school or a notified driving school (unofficial).

First of all, I will explain the differences between them.

A designated driving school is a driving school that meets three standards: the "personnel standard" of having qualified driving instructors on staff; the "physical standard" of having the course area and design, classrooms for studying the theory, and driving cars that are equivalent to the test standards (width, overall length, wheelbase, etc.); and the "operational standard" related to the content of the lessons, etc.

In other words, there is the advantage that you can practice with the same vehicles and courses as at the license center, and the school building (office) and the course are integrated (in the same place). In addition, the instructors who teach are nationally qualified, and the standard of the instruction content is uniform and unified.

On the other hand, a notified driving school is one that has notified the Public Safety Commission. They can operate without meeting the "personnel standards," "material standards," and "operational standards," and are also called unofficial driving schools. Although the size and facilities vary depending on the driving school, they are no different from designated driving schools in that they teach driving skills and knowledge. Driving schools that do not have practice courses may rent external courses for practice.

4 designated driving schools in Osaka where you can prepare for the driving test (practice test) for foreign license conversion

Now, we will introduce you to designated driving schools in Osaka where you can prepare for the skill confirmation (skill test)!

①Hanwahoo Driving School

☆The largest driving school in Osaka
25 minutes by shuttle bus from Seibu Line "Nankai Hagoromo Station" or 20 minutes by shuttle bus from "Nankai Mikunigaoka Station West Exit"

②Osaka Minato Driving School

☆Lessons available until 9pm on weekdays
2 minutes by school bus from JR Loop Line/Subway Chuo Line "Bentencho" Station, 20 minutes by shuttle bus from "Awaza Station South"

③Kishiwada Driving School

☆Lessons available on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays at no extra charge
Pick-up available at your home upon reservation

④Sennan Driving School

☆ Convenient location, just 3 minutes walk from the nearest station
We can provide a shuttle bus to your home upon reservation.

The definitive guide to passing the exam: What is the Foreign License Conversion "Ziplus Fast-Track Package"?

In this situation, ZIPLUS has come up with the Foreign Driver's License Conversion "Safety Package" with the aim of training foreigners to pass the test on the first try and drive safely on Japanese public roads by converting their foreign driver's licenses.
This program is a complete package that covers all the steps you need to take to pass the foreign driver's license conversion test, as detailed below.
We provide skills training in cooperation with designated driving schools in Tokyo, from issuing translations to checking your knowledge and skills (advance preparation, driving practice and mock test preparation, review, and tips just before the actual test). Furthermore, after passing the test, you will be able to understand traffic signs and road markings necessary for safe driving on public roads in a foreign language.

We have prepared a study video "SAMURAI DRIVER" that will help you understand the exam questions and prepare in advance!

You can watch videos to help you prepare for the driving skill test (practice test) for foreign driver's license conversion from the comfort of your own home!
A total of 10 videos will explain 10 key points for passing the skills test.

Here are three reasons why this video was chosen!

①You are not tied to study time or place

You can watch the videos "anytime," "anywhere," and "as many times as you want," so you can study at your own pace. With just one smartphone, you can use your free time, such as during your commute to work or school.

② Efficient videos that explain only the main points

Each video is short, about 3 to 7 minutes long. It's easy to concentrate on a short video, so it's recommended for people who aren't good at studying.

3. Viewing in multiple languages

In addition to Japanese, you can also choose to have audio commentary in English, Chinese, or Vietnamese. Even those who are not good at Japanese can understand and study well.

We have prepared a study guide called "Road Ready in Japan" for you to review and what you need to know just before the exam!

The long-awaited book will be published in January 2025. It is the only specialized teaching material specialized in skill confirmation, and a comprehensive study guide for foreigners. All pages are in color, so please use it as the ultimate textbook for skill confirmation measures.

Here are three reasons why this video was chosen!

①Excellent knowledge and readability

The book is about 50 pages long and contains a lot of information, making it very satisfying to read. It also uses many illustrations and photographs to make it easy to read.

②Detailed explanation of the features of skill verification

Explains the grading criteria, the number of points required to pass, the deduction of points for each task, common interruptions during the skill check, and tips and tricks for passing.

③Vocabulary you should know

We have put together the vocabulary that the examiner will ask you to use during the skills test. Make sure you memorize it well in advance.

summary

How was it?
In order to switch smoothly within Osaka Prefecture, you need to make thorough preparations in advance. Please take advantage of ZIPLUS' Foreign License Switching Safety Package by practicing at a driving school, or by using videos and textbooks to prepare and review.
Click here to apply for the Foreign License Switching Safety Package

ZIPLUS issues the translations required for foreign driver's license conversion.
To apply for a Japanese translation, please click here

I hope that everyone reading this article will be able to successfully convert their foreign driver's license and feel confident about driving in Japan. I also sincerely hope that this article will help you understand the importance of safe driving and help you put it into practice. I also hope that your life in Japan will be safe and fulfilling, and that you will find new possibilities and happiness through driving.