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 Osaka Prefecture, foreign driver's license conversions are handled at the Kadoma or Komyoike Driver's License Examination Center. Reservations can only be made by phone on designated days.
In Osaka Prefecture, the document review process for converting to a foreign driver's license is by appointment only. Appointments can only be made by phone on designated days (every other Friday) between 3 PM and 5 PM. On that day, you will schedule your appointment for the next two weeks. If you pass the document review, a date for knowledge verification will be set, and the skills verification will be scheduled for a different day. Due to a significant increase in applicants, it may take a long time to reach the skills verification date.
Source: Osaka Prefectural Police "Procedures for Converting a Foreign Driver's License to a Japanese Driver's License", Osaka Prefectural Police "Opening of Skill Courses to the Public" (Confirmed October 8, 2026)
For those living in Osaka Prefecture who want to convert their foreign driver's license to a Japanese one: This article summarizes the procedures at the Kadoma and Komyoike Driver's License Examination Centers. From how to make a phone reservation, required documents, directions to the examination center, and even driving schools in the prefecture where you can practice your driving skills, this article will give you a complete overview of the preparations.
reservation
Appointments for document review can only be made by phone on designated application days.
The Osaka Prefectural Police have designated days every two weeks for accepting reservation calls. Calls made on days other than these designated days will not be answered. Calls are only answered in Japanese, and reservations cannot be changed once made.
| Kadoma Driver's License Examination Center | From 3 PM to 5 PM on the day of registration Phone: 06-6908-9121 (Automated response: press "4" then "1" or "2") |
|---|---|
| Komyoji Driver's License Examination Center | Applications are accepted from 4 PM to 5 PM on the application day (for licenses from countries/regions where the exam is waived, applications are accepted from 3 PM to 5 PM). Phone 0725-56-1881 (Automated response: press "4" then "3") |
The application dates from October 2026 onwards are announced as October 9th, October 23rd, November 6th, and November 20th (all Fridays). Further application dates will be announced on the Osaka Prefectural Police website.
- Gather all documents before calling: Osaka Prefectural Police advises that you prepare all necessary documents, including those specific to your country, before making a call.
- Have your current driver's license handy: You will be asked about the details of any foreign driver's licenses you have over the phone.
- Calls must be made by someone who speaks Japanese: Phone calls are in Japanese only. If you have difficulty speaking Japanese, please ask someone who speaks Japanese to help you.
For those applying in Kadoma for licenses from countries/regions where the exam is waived.
Holders of licenses from countries/regions where knowledge and skills assessments are waived should make reservations in person at the counter, not by phone (e.g., South Korea, Taiwan, the UK, Germany, Indiana, USA). Reservations can only be made at the Kadoma Driver's License Examination Center. The applicant must go to the counter in person between 3:30 PM and 5:00 PM on weekdays. Bring your foreign driver's license and identification documents such as your residence card, passport, or resident registration certificate. List of countries/regions where assessments are waived
basic information
Reception hours and access to the Kadoma and Komyoike driver's license testing centers
Kadoma Driver's License Examination Center
| address | 23-16 Ichibancho, Kadoma City, 571-8555 Japan |
|---|---|
| Foreign driver's license conversion application hours | Weekdays 8:45 AM - 12:00 PM, 12:45 PM - 1:30 PM |
| by train | Approximately 20 minutes on foot south from Furukawabashi Station on the Keihan Railway. Alternatively, take a Keihan Bus bound for "License Examination Center" or "Kadoma Housing Complex" from the station and get off at "License Examination Center" bus stop. |
| form | 06-6908-9121 (Extension 351, License Examination Section) |
Komyoji Driver's License Examination Center
| address | 5-13-1 Fushiya-cho, Izumi City, Osaka Prefecture 594-0031 |
|---|---|
| Foreign driver's license conversion application hours | Weekdays 8:45 AM - 1:30 PM (excluding 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM) |
| by train | Approximately 5 minutes on foot from Kōmyōike Station on the Nankai Electric Railway Senboku Line. |
| form | 0725-56-1881 (Extension 351, License Examination Section) |
We do not accept applications on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, substitute holidays, or during the New Year period (December 29th to January 3rd). On the day of your appointment, please bring the necessary documents with you at the time you made your reservation by phone. Depending on the time of your appointment, your driver's license may be issued on a later date.
Those who have difficulty speaking Japanese should go with an interpreter. The Osaka Prefectural Police advise one applicant per interpreter.
Procedure Flow
The process for converting a foreign driver's license in Osaka Prefecture
- To schedule your document review by phone,call between 3 PM and 5 PM on the designated application date and book an available date up to approximately two weeks in advance.
- Document screeningGo to the testing center at the scheduled date and time. If you pass the document screening, you will be given a date and time for your knowledge test.
- You will take the knowledge check and aptitude teston the designated day. The knowledge check consists of 50 written questions, and you need to answer at least 45 of them correctly.
- The skills assessmentwill be taken on a different day on a course at the testing center. Starting in October 2025, tasks such as crossing railway crossings and driving uphill have been added.
- If you pass all the requirements for issuing a Japanese driver's license, you will be issued a Japanese driver's license.
The skills test must be passed before the expiration date of your foreign license. The Osaka Prefectural Police are advising those whose licenses expire in less than six months to pay particular attention. (See below for how to determine the expiration date.)
The Osaka Prefectural Police offer written exam questions in 20 foreign languages (including English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Nepali). Please check which language you can choose for the knowledge assessment during the document review process.
Required documents
Documents to bring when converting your foreign driver's license in Osaka Prefecture
In Osaka Prefecture, some documents require copies in addition to the original. Please have them ready before making your appointment by phone.
- A valid foreign driver's license and copies of both the front and back.
- Japanese translation of a foreign driver's license (prepared by the embassy/consulate of the issuing country in Japan, JAF, ZIPLUS Co., Ltd., the Association for Supporting Foreign Drivers in Japan, etc.)
- Your passport and copies of all pages except blank ones (to confirm you have been in that country for a total of three months or more since obtaining your license).
- A copy of your resident registration certificate (for foreign nationals, this must include all information such as nationality, period of stay, and residence status. It must have been issued within the last 6 months, must not contain your My Number, and photocopies are not accepted.)
- If you have a Japanese driver's license or My Number driver's license, please use that license.
- One photograph (3cm high x 2.4cm wide, taken within the last 6 months, no hat, front view, upper torso, plain background)
- Writing instrument (black or blue ballpoint pen)
- commission
- If you have one, please bring an expired foreign driver's license, passport, Japanese driver's license, or international driving permit.
People who will need additional documents
The following individuals will need documentation showing the date they obtained their license (such as a license history certificate): those whose license does not have the date of issuance written on it, and those who hold two or more types of licenses. Those whose passports do not have both exit and entry stamps will need documentation proving their stay or a certificate of entry and exit records (such as those who used automated gates or those with EU licenses). Examples for each country can be found on the Osaka Prefectural Police website under "Required Documents by Country (Example)".
View a printable checklist of required documents. Calculate your total stay of 3 months.
Skills check practice
Skills practice can be done at the open course in Kadoma or at a driving school within the prefecture.
The Osaka Prefectural Police are urging drivers to review traffic rules and practice driving beforehand so that they can pass the skills test on their first attempt. Practice can be done at the open course at the Kadoma Driver's License Examination Center or at a designated driving school within the prefecture.
Kadoma Driver's License Examination Center opens its course to the public.
Every Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. 3,500 yen for 50 minutes, up to two sessions per day. To apply, please contact the Osaka Prefectural Traffic Safety Association (06-6909-8040, weekdays 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
Course opening conditions
You must be 18 years of age or older, have held a driver's license for at least three years, and have a friend or acquaintance who can act as your instructor. You must also bring your own practice vehicle. The vehicle must be a standard right-hand drive passenger car that is covered by comprehensive insurance that can be used when the person practicing drives.
Designated driving school
You can receive instruction from an instructor using a car and course that meets the same specifications as the actual test. For those who cannot arrange their own car or passenger, practicing at a driving school is a practical option.
Introducing ZIPLUS
Four driving schools in Osaka Prefecture that ZIPLUS can introduce
Some driving schools do not offer practice sessions for converting to a foreign driver's license. ZIPLUS introduces designated driving schools in Osaka Prefecture where you can practice for the skills test required for converting to a foreign driver's license.
Hanwaho Driving School
30-1 Tsuruta-cho, Nishi-ku, Sakai City. 13-minute walk from Otori Station on the JR Hanwa Line. Shuttle buses are available from Otori Station, Nankai Hagoromo Station, Nakamozu, Mikunigaoka, Sakaihigashi, Shinkanaoka, and other areas.
Osaka Minato Driving School
3-9-15 Isoji, Minato-ku, Osaka City. Approximately 9 minutes on foot from Bentencho Station on the JR Loop Line and the Osaka Metro Chuo Line. Reservation-based pick-up service is available from areas such as Bentencho, Kujo, Awaza, Noda, and Nishikujo. Lessons are available until evening on weekdays.
Kishiwada Driving School
4-23-23 Isogami-cho, Kishiwada City. 5-minute walk from Tadaoka Station on the Nankai Main Line. Pick-up and drop-off service is available according to your reservation (conditions apply, such as areas within a 1-hour round trip). Lessons are also available on weekends and holidays.
Sennan Driving School
5-43-3 Tarui, Sennan City. 3-minute walk from Tarui Station on the Nankai Main Line. A shuttle bus is available, which can be booked 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.
The Osaka Prefectural Police also advise that in order to pass the skills test, knowledge of laws and regulations, including traffic rules necessary for driving in Japan, is required. See details on the passing criteria, penalty points, and test cancellation criteria for the skills test.
FAQ
Q&A on converting foreign driver's licenses in Osaka Prefecture
Where can I get my foreign driver's license converted in Osaka Prefecture?
There are two locations: Kadoma Driver's License Examination Center (23-16 Ichibancho, Kadoma City) and Komyoike Driver's License Examination Center (5-13-1 Fushiyacho, Izumi City). The condition is that your address must be within Osaka Prefecture.
Is an appointment necessary to convert a foreign driver's license in Osaka Prefecture?
Yes, it is necessary. You must make a reservation by phone between 3 PM and 5 PM on the designated reception days (every other Friday) set by the Osaka Prefectural Police. For those with licenses from countries/regions other than those exempt from the exam, the time is between 4 PM and 5 PM at the Komyoike branch.
I can't get through on the phone to make a reservation. Are there any other options?
We do not accept reservations by any means other than telephone. Only those applying in Kadoma for a license from a country or region where the exam is waived can make a reservation in person at the counter between 3:30 PM and 5:00 PM on weekdays.
Will the knowledge and skills assessments be taken on the same day?
No. If you pass the document screening, a date and time will be set for the knowledge test, and the skills test will be on a different day. It can take a long time until the skills test date.
Can I practice driving at the testing center?
The course at the Kadoma Driver's License Examination Center is open every Saturday and Sunday (3,500 yen for a 50-minute session). However, you will need to bring your own instructor who has held a driver's license for at least three years and a right-hand drive practice car with voluntary insurance.
Can I take the knowledge test in English or Chinese?
The Osaka Prefectural Police offer written exam questions in 20 foreign languages. Please check which language you can choose for the knowledge check during the document screening process.
Can I change the date of my reservation?
No, you cannot. The Osaka Prefectural Police have stated that reservations cannot be changed once they have been made.
