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 Saitama Prefecture, foreign driver's license conversions are handled at the Konosu Driver's License Center. Both document review and knowledge checks can be booked online.
In Saitama Prefecture, the process for converting a foreign driver's license is handled at the Saitama Prefectural Driver's License Center in Konosu City. From September 2025, the document review process will be conducted online by appointment only, and from January 2026, the knowledge test will be conducted online by appointment only. Due to the large number of applicants, the Saitama Prefectural Police are advising that there will be a waiting period of 3 to 4 months for the knowledge test appointment. It is recommended to prepare all necessary documents before booking the document review, and use the waiting time to prepare for the knowledge and skills test.
Source: Saitama Prefectural Police, "Changes to the Application Procedure for Converting Foreign Driver's Licenses", "Online Reservation for Document Review", "Online Reservation for Knowledge Check" (Confirmed October 9, 2026)
For those living in Saitama Prefecture who wish to convert their foreign driver's license to a Japanese one: This guide summarizes the procedures at the Saitama Prefectural Driver's License Center. It covers two online reservation methods, required documents and fees (cashless payment), the flow of the day, and even driving schools where you can practice for your driving skills test.
reservation
The document screening process requires each applicant to reserve only one slot online.
| place | Saitama Prefectural Driver's License Center, 2nd Floor (Examination Building), Foreign License Conversion Consultation Room. 405-4 Konosu, Konosu City, Saitama Prefecture 365-0028 |
|---|---|
| reception | Weekdays 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM (excluding public holidays, substitute holidays, and year-end/New Year holidays) |
| reservation | The applicant can make a reservation through the Saitama Prefectural Police's "Online Document Screening Reservation" page. |
| form | Driver's License Examination Division 048-543-2001 (Main number. Weekdays 3 PM - 4 PM) |
- Only one reservation slot per person is allowed. Making multiple reservations on different days may result in all reservations being invalidated.
- Once a reservation is confirmed, it cannot be changed. If you want to change it, you must cancel your current reservation and make a new one.
- On the day of your appointment, you must show the "reservation number" from your reservation confirmation email (screenshots are not accepted).
- If you do not have all the necessary documents, please cancel your reservation and reschedule once you have them all.
- The document screening is in Japanese. If you do not speak Japanese, please go with someone who can interpret for you.
People who call first instead of making an online reservation
Individuals with the "Designated Activities (Preparation for Designated Motor Vehicle Transportation Business)" residence status (contacted by a representative of the company employing the applicant), those with an identification card issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Japanese nationals whose resident registration has been removed cannot make online reservations. Please call 048-543-2001 between 3 PM and 4 PM on weekdays and press "3" then "9" on the guidance to speak with a staff member.
Procedure Flow
The process for converting a foreign driver's license in Saitama Prefecture
- Document review (on the scheduled date):We will check if all the necessary documents are in order and if you meet the requirements.
- Book your knowledge check onlineThose who pass the document screening will be given a "registration number," which they will use to make a reservation. Reservations are typically available 3 to 4 months in advance.
- Application submission, aptitude test, and knowledge check (on the scheduled date):After final review of application documents, payment of fees, and an aptitude test including vision assessment, you will take a knowledge check. You will have 30 minutes to answer 50 written questions, and a score of 45 or higher is required to pass. The test is available in 21 languages, including Japanese.
- Skills assessment (by appointment):For those who have passed the knowledge assessment, a staff member will explain how to make an appointment for the skills assessment.
- Driver's licenses will be issuedon the same day, around 4 PM (this may vary depending on how busy it is).
If there are any changes to your application documents or foreign license (renewal, reissuance, etc.) on the day of application acceptance or skills verification, your application will not be accepted. Those whose residence permit has expired will not be accepted even if their residence card is being renewed. Those whose foreign license is nearing its expiration date are advised to renew it first before scheduling a document review appointment.
For those with licenses from countries/regions where the exam is waived, there is no need to schedule a knowledge check appointment. After document review, the process proceeds to registration, aptitude test, and license issuance. List of exempted countries/regions
Required documents
Documents to bring when converting your foreign driver's license in Saitama Prefecture
- A valid foreign driver's license (physical copy; electronic licenses and international driver's licenses are not accepted).
- Japanese translation of a foreign driver's license (limited to those prepared by the administrative or consular authorities of the country that issued the license, JAF, ZIPLUS Co., Ltd., the German Automobile Club, or the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association).
- Passport (currently valid. It's recommended to bring all old passports as well.)
- A copy of your resident registration certificate (issued within the last 6 months, photocopies not accepted, no My Number information included; for foreign nationals, a copy including specific information such as nationality, residence status, and period of stay) and your residence card.
- Three application photos (3cm high x 2.4cm wide, taken within the last 6 months, no hat, front view, upper torso, plain background)
- Japanese driver's license/My Number license (all you have, including expired ones)
If you do not have entry/exit stamps, please submit an "Entry/Exit Record Certificate".
Those who used automated gates or hold licenses from countries that do not stamp immigration records should obtain and bring an immigration record certificate. Those whose licenses do not have an issuance date or who hold more than one type of license will need documentation showing the dates for each license. Photos taken at home or heavily edited photos will need to be retaken.
Checklist of documents required to calculate a total stay of 3 months
commission
I will pay the fees using a cashless method.
| Application fee | Regular: 2,500 yen / Moped/Small Special Vehicle: 1,600 yen / Large/Medium/Semi-Medium Vehicle: 3,900 yen / Others: 2,800 yen |
|---|---|
| Issuance fee | Driver's license: 2,350 yen / My Number Driver's License: 1,550 yen / Both: 2,450 yen |
| method of payment | Credit cards, debit cards, electronic money (such as transportation IC cards), and code payments (such as PayPay) are accepted. If you wish to pay in cash, you must contact the Driver's License Examination Division by the day before the application is accepted. |
Skills check practice
Driving schools in Saitama 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. It's a good idea to start practicing while you wait for your knowledge test appointment.
Kagohara Driving School
726 Jurokuma, Kumagaya City. Approximately 5 minutes by shuttle bus from the south exit of Kagohara Station on the JR Takasaki Line. A free shuttle bus is available (reservations required for all routes except those going to Kagohara Station). It is located along the Takasaki Line, the same line as the Konosu Driver's License Center.
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 Saitama Prefecture
Where in Saitama Prefecture can I get my foreign driver's license converted?
This is the Saitama Prefectural Driver's License Center in Konosu City (2nd floor, Foreign License Conversion Consultation Room).
What are the reception hours for converting foreign driver's licenses in Saitama Prefecture?
Document screening takes place on weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 AM, and online reservations are required.
How long is the wait time for a knowledge check appointment?
The Saitama Prefectural Police are announcing that there is a waiting period of 3 to 4 months to book an appointment for a knowledge check. Reservations can only be made online by those who have completed the document screening process.
How many photos do you need?
You will need three application photos, each measuring 3cm (height) x 2.4cm (width).
Can I pay the fee in cash?
The fee will be paid cashless. If you wish to pay in cash, please contact the Driver's License Examination Division (048-543-2001) by the day before the application acceptance date.
Can I take the knowledge test in English or Vietnamese?
Yes. It is available in 21 languages, including Japanese (English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Nepali, Indonesian, Burmese, etc.).
