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 Tochigi Prefecture, foreign driver's license conversions are handled at the Kanuma City Driver's License Center. Appointments for document review are available by phone from 3 PM on weekdays.
In Tochigi Prefecture, the process for converting a foreign driver's license is handled at the Tochigi Prefectural Driver's License Center in Kanuma City. Document screening is by appointment only, and appointments are accepted on weekdays from 3 PM to 5 PM. Appointments are accepted in batches, and will be closed once the limit is reached. The Tochigi Prefectural Police have announced that they will start accepting additional appointments from 3 PM on October 1st for dates after December 1st.
Source: Tochigi Prefectural Police "Foreign Driver's License Conversion Guide" (Accessed October 9, 2026)
This guide is for residents of Tochigi Prefecture who wish to convert their foreign driver's license to a Japanese one. It covers the procedures at the Tochigi Prefectural Driver's License Center (Kanuma City), including how to make an appointment, the application process, required documents and fees, and how to proceed with the skills test practice.
Where to apply and make a reservation
Reservations can be made by phone. Reservations will close once all slots are filled.
| place | Tochigi Prefectural Driver's License Center (681 Shimoishikawa, Kanuma City) |
|---|---|
| Telephone reservation | 0289-76-0110（自動音声で5→2を押すと学科試験係）。平日の午後3時〜5時 |
| Reservation | Reservations are accepted in batches and will close once the capacity is reached. Additional reservations for dates from December 1st onwards will be accepted from 3 PM on October 1st. |
| Subject | Applicants must reside in Tochigi Prefecture, possess a valid foreign driver's license, and be able to prove, using passport entry and exit stamps and the license issuance date, that they have stayed in that country for a total of three months or more since obtaining the license. |
- If you hold a license from a country that exempts you from knowledge and skills verification, or if you have an expired Japanese license, be sure to inform us when making your reservation.
- If I am unable to undergo the screening process on the scheduled date, I will be sure to contact you to cancel.
- Those who do not speak Japanese will be accompanied by an interpreter.
Procedure Flow
The process for converting a foreign driver's license in Tochigi Prefecture
- Make a reservation by phoneI will schedule an appointment for document review between 3 PM and 5 PM on a weekday.
- On the day of your scheduled document reviewappointment, we will verify your documents and the length of your stay in the country where you obtained your license.
- Aptitude test and knowledge assessmentYou will undergo tests such as vision examinations, and a knowledge test consisting of 50 questions (you need to answer 45 or more correctly to pass).
- Skills assessment:You will drive on a course at the driver's license center.
- 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 knowledge test is available in Japanese and 20 foreign languages. The available test dates may vary depending on the language. License holders from countries/regions exempt from the knowledge and skills tests will receive their license after a document review and aptitude test (e.g., South Korea, Taiwan, the UK, Germany, Australia). See the list of exempted countries/regions.
Required documents and fees
Documents to bring when converting your foreign driver's license in Tochigi Prefecture
- Foreign driver's licenses (including old ones that haven't been renewed)
- Japanese translation of a foreign driver's license (created by embassies/consulates, JAF, ZIPLUS Co., Ltd., and the Association for Supporting Drivers Visiting Japan [ALADDIN])
- Passports (all old ones too)
- International driver's license (if you have one)
- Japanese driver's license (if you have one, even if it has expired)
- Resident registration certificate (for those who do not have a Japanese driver's license. For foreign nationals, this should include their nationality, and for Japanese nationals, it should include their registered domicile.)
- Driver's license application form and passport-sized photograph (3cm high x 2.4cm wide, taken within the last 6 months)
If your stay cannot be confirmed by a stamp, please also provide other documents.
If you used an automated gate and your passport is not stamped, the stamp's numbers are illegible, the date is not in numbers (e.g., Arabic), or you left the country less than three months after renewing your license abroad, you will need documents in addition to your passport that prove you stayed for more than three months. These documents should be in your name and include foreign entry/exit certificates, proof of employment, or utility bills. For country-specific documents, please check the Tochigi Prefectural Police's "List of Required Documents by Country."
The application fee is 2,500 yen for a regular driver's license, 1,600 yen for a moped license, and 3,900 yen or 2,800 yen for other licenses. The issuance fee is 2,350 yen.
Checklist of documents required to calculate a total stay of 3 months
Skills check practice
How to practice skills in Tochigi Prefecture
The skills test takes place on a course located within the Tochigi Prefectural Driver's License Center (Kanuma City). Those with little experience driving on Japanese roads should practice Japanese-style driving before taking the test. However, some driving schools do not offer training for foreign license conversion.
practice at a driving school
At a designated driving school, you can use a vehicle of the same specifications as the test and have an instructor check your safety procedures in the Japanese style. You will need to check with each driving school to see if they accept students for foreign license conversion practice.
Learn the flow by watching the video.
The SAMURAI DRIVER skills test preparation video allows you to learn the entire test process in advance, from pre-ride checks to how to turn at intersections.
Check the days when reservation slots become available.
In Tochigi Prefecture, reservation slots are opened all at once and closed once they are filled. Check the Tochigi Prefectural Police website for the next reservation start date and be prepared to call on that day.
For training in Tochigi Prefecture, please contact ZIPLUS
If you live in Tochigi Prefecture and would like to practice converting your foreign driver's license, please contact ZIPLUS. We will ask about your residential area and your planned date for skills assessment, and then guide you through the practice process.
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 Tochigi Prefecture
Where can I get my foreign driver's license converted in Tochigi Prefecture?
This is the Tochigi Prefectural Driver's License Center in Shimoishikawa, Kanuma City.
How do I make a reservation?
電話（0289-76-0110）で、平日の午後3時から5時までに書類審査を予約します。
What if it's fully booked?
Reservations are accepted in batches and will close once the capacity is reached. The start date for the next additional reservations will be announced on the Tochigi Prefectural Police website.
Can I use ZIPLUS 's translation?
Yes. ZIPLUS Co., Ltd. is listed in the Tochigi Prefectural Police guide as a company that can create translation documents.
How much does it cost to get a regular driver's license?
The application fee is 2,500 yen and the issuance fee is 2,350 yen.
