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 Shizuoka Prefecture, the foreign driver's license conversion process begins with an explanation session every Wednesday at 9:30 AM. Please gather at the driver's license center in your area of residence.
In Shizuoka Prefecture, to convert your foreign driver's license, you must first gather at the driver's license center (Eastern, Central, or Western) that has jurisdiction over your place of residence by 9:30 a.m. every Wednesday to receive an explanation of the examination procedure. Since you cannot join after the scheduled time, if you miss the deadline, you will have to wait until the following week. After the explanation, you will schedule appointments for document checks, aptitude tests, knowledge checks, and skills checks. The Shizuoka Prefectural Police advise that the conversion process may take several months.
Source: Shizuoka Prefectural Police, "How Foreigners Can Obtain a Japanese Driver's License (Conversion of Foreign License)" (Accessed October 9, 2026)
Before proceeding with the procedures in Shizuoka Prefecture, it's reassuring to understand the entire process of converting a foreign driver's license: What is foreign driver's license conversion? (Conditions, required documents, costs, and timeframe)
This guide is for residents of Shizuoka Prefecture who wish to convert their foreign driver's license to a Japanese one. It covers the procedures at the Shizuoka Prefectural Driver's License Centers in the eastern, central, and western parts of the prefecture. You'll find information on how to make an appointment, the application process, required documents and fees, and even driving schools where you can practice for your driving skills test.
Where to apply and make a reservation
The initial explanation will be on Wednesday. Except for regular automatic transmission vehicles and mopeds, the information will be provided at the Chubu Center.
| Explanation of the examination method | Every Wednesday (excluding public holidays and the year-end/New Year period). Please arrive by 9:30 AM (punctuality is essential). |
|---|---|
| Eastern Driver's License Center | 241-10 Onoue, Ashitaka, Numazu City. Phone: 055-921-2000 |
| Chubu Driver's License Center | 6-16-1 Yoichi, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City. Phone: 054-272-2221 |
| Western Driver's License Center | 3220 Komatsu, Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu City. Phone: 053-587-2000 |
| Where to go? | Generally, you apply to the center that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. However, only regular automatic transmission (AT) vehicles, mopeds, and small special vehicles can be registered at the eastern and western centers; for large, medium, semi-medium, regular manual transmission (MT) vehicles, motorcycles, large special vehicles, and towing vehicles, you apply at the central center. |
On the day of the explanation, we will schedule an inspection appointment.
On Wednesday, we will explain the examination procedure and confirm the necessary items to bring. Afterwards, we will schedule appointments for checking required documents. If you have difficulty conversing in Japanese, please bring someone who can interpret.
Procedure Flow
The process for converting a foreign driver's license in Shizuoka Prefecture
- Examination Procedure Explanation (Wednesday): Please arrive by 9:30 AM. After the explanation and confirmation of necessary items, we will schedule an appointment for document check.
- Questions regarding the inspection and acquisition of necessary documents (by appointment only):We will check whether you meet the requirements for switching over based on your documents and questions. This process takes time, so please allow ample time.
- Aptitude Test/Knowledge Assessment (Reservation Required): Thistest includes vision and other examinations, as well as a knowledge assessment.
- Skill assessment (by appointment only)will be conducted on the course within the facility.
- If you pass all the requirements for obtaining a driver's license, you will be issued a Japanese driver's license.
The knowledge test consists of 50 written questions to be completed in 30 minutes; a passing score requires 45 or more correct answers. The Shizuoka Prefectural Police also conducts the written test in foreign languages (the languages can be found on the Shizuoka Prefectural Police's "Foreign Language Driver's License Written Test" page). Those with licenses from countries/regions where the knowledge and skills tests are waived will receive their licenses after a document review and aptitude test (e.g., South Korea, Taiwan, the UK, Germany, Australia). List of exempted countries/regions.
Required documents and fees
Documents to bring when converting your foreign driver's license in Shizuoka Prefecture
- A copy of your resident registration certificate (for foreign nationals, this must include all information such as nationality, residence status, and period of stay. It must not include your My Number, and photocopies are not accepted.)
- 1 photo for application
- A valid foreign Driver's License
- Translation of a foreign driver's license (prepared by the administrative authority or consular agency of the issuing country, the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association (Taiwan), the German Automobile Club (Germany), JAF, ZIPLUS Co., Ltd., or the Association for Supporting Visiting Drivers in Japan)
- Passports (all of them if you have several; they must show entry and exit stamps)
- An expired Japanese driver's license or a driving history certificate (for those who previously held a Japanese driver's license)
- Identity verification documents (such as residence card)
- For those with a Philippine driver's license, an official receipt is required.
If you do not have a stamp, please bring documents that prove your stay.
If your passport does not have a stamp and you cannot confirm your length of stay in the country where you obtained your license, you will need to bring documents that prove your stay in that country, such as proof of employment (or enrollment), pay stubs, or a rental apartment contract. You cannot proceed with the application unless you can confirm a total of at least three months of stay. If you do not know the issuance date or acquisition date of your license, you will need a driving history certificate. Only original certificates are accepted.
The fees vary depending on the type of license you are applying for. Please check with your local driver's license center.
Checklist of documents required to calculate a total stay of 3 months
Skills check practice
Driving schools in Shizuoka 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. At designated driving schools, you can practice with cars and courses that meet the same specifications as the actual test.
Maggio Drivers School Atami School
1173 Izusan, Atami City. The nearest stations are JR Kinomiya Station and Atami Station. There is a free school bus service within Atami City and to Yugawara and Manazuru (some services require reservations).
Maggio Drivers School Fujieda School
115-2 Uchiseido, Fujieda City. The nearest station is Fujieda Station on the JR Tokaido Main Line. Free shuttle service is available in the Shida-Haibara area by reservation.
Hama IN Driving School
2350 Nakanogo, Arai-cho, Kosai City. Approximately 5 minutes by shuttle bus from Washizu Station on the JR Tokaido Main Line. Free pick-up and drop-off service is available to your doorstep within the area.
Hainan Driving School
1731 Hosoe, Makinohara City. The nearest station is JR Shimada Station. A free shuttle bus is available by reservation.
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 Shizuoka Prefecture
Where in Shizuoka Prefecture can I get my foreign driver's license converted?
Generally, you apply to the driver's license center that has jurisdiction over your place of residence (Eastern, Central, or Western). For licenses other than regular automatic transmission, moped, and small special vehicle licenses, you apply to the Central Driver's License Center.
When is the best time to go first?
Every Wednesday (excluding public holidays and the year-end/New Year period), you must gather at the driver's license center by 9:30 a.m. to receive instructions on how to take the exam. Late arrivals are not permitted.
How long will the switchover take?
Shizuoka Prefectural Police have advised that the process may take several months.
There are no stamps in my passport.
Please bring documents that prove your residency in the country where you obtained your license, such as proof of employment, pay stubs, and rental apartment lease agreements.
