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 Tokyo, the skills assessment is conducted on a different day than the registration. Practice can be done at the testing center's open course or at a driving school.
In Tokyo, the driving skills test for converting to a foreign driver's license is taken at either the Fuchu Driver's License Examination Center or the Samezu Driver's License Examination Center. Since the driving skills test is by appointment only, it cannot be taken on the same day as submitting the application documents. There are two places where you can practice: the open courses at the Fuchu and Samezu examination centers, and designated driving schools in Tokyo. Open courses require you to provide your own vehicle and a passenger with a driver's license, so most people practice at driving schools.
Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, "How to convert a foreign-obtained driver's license to a Japanese driver's license", Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, "Opening of driving courses at driver's license testing centers" (Confirmed October 8, 2026)
This article summarizes how to convert your foreign driver's license in Tokyo, including how to make a reservation online, the differences between Fuchu, Samezu, and Koto driving schools, required documents, fees, and waiting times. It also provides information on practice sessions for the driving skills test and recommends driving schools where you can practice.
This article is for those living in Tokyo who are preparing for their foreign driver's license conversion skills test. We've compiled information on where and how to practice. You can find out about the conditions for course opening at the testing center, the advantages of practicing at a driving school, and driving schools in Tokyo that ZIPLUS can recommend.
How to take the skills assessment
In Tokyo, the skills assessment takes place in Fuchu or Samezu on a different day as per your reservation.
- Reservations and applicationsare accepted online through the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Administrative Procedures website. After making a reservation, you will submit your documents at either the Fuchu or Samezu testing center.
- The knowledge and aptitude testconsists of 50 written questions, and you need to answer at least 45 correctly. It can be taken in Japanese and 20 foreign languages.
- Skills assessment (on a different day):Skills assessment is by appointment only and cannot be taken on the same day as registration. It will be taken on the test course at the testing center on the day of your appointment.
- If you pass all the requirements for issuing a Japanese driver's license, you will be issued a Japanese driver's license.
The Koto Driver's License Examination Center is a place where only holders of licenses from 29 countries/regions, who are exempt from knowledge and skills tests, can complete the procedures. Skill tests cannot be taken there.
The skills assessment uses a point deduction system starting from 100 points, with a score of 70 or higher required to pass. From October 2025, tasks such as crossing pedestrian crossings were added, and scoring for signaling and right/left turns became stricter. The passing criteria, point deductions, and test cancellation criteria for the skills assessment are listed below.
Places to practice
Practice can be done at the testing center's open course and at driving schools in Tokyo.
| Fuchu and Samezu courses open to the public. | Date and Time: Saturdays and public holidays. One hour per person per day (four sessions: 9:45, 11:15, 13:30, and 15:00) Fee: Course usage fee 2,000 yen + accident insurance fee 200 yen Requirements: Must be a resident of Tokyo, 17 years and 6 months of age or older. A licensed instructor with at least 3 years of experience will accompany you, and you must bring your own practice vehicle (length 4.9m, width 1.8m or less, with compulsory automobile liability insurance). Reservations must be made by phone. |
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| Designated driving schools in Tokyo | Date and time: During the driving school's business hours (many schools offer weekday and evening options). Fees: Vary depending on the driving school and the number of hours. Conditions: The driving school will provide the car and instructor. You will be taught by an instructor using a car and course of the same specifications as the actual test. |
Open courses offer inexpensive practice opportunities, but are limited to those who can provide their own car and a passenger. Driving school practice is suitable for the following types of people: those who don't know anyone who can drive in Japan, those who want to practice on weekdays, and those who want to practice with instruction.
Introducing ZIPLUS
Driving schools in Tokyo 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 Tokyo where you can practice for the skills test required for converting to a foreign driver's license.
New Tokyo Driving School
1-2364 Ogawa-cho, Kodaira City. 15-minute walk from Kodaira Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line. Shuttle buses are available from Ogawa Station, Higashi-Yamato Station, Kokubunji, Tachikawa, and other areas. Support in English, Chinese, and other languages is available.
Koganei Driving School
4-3-15 Nakamachi, Koganei City. 9-minute walk from the South Exit of JR Musashi-Koganei Station. Reservation-only shuttle service is available from Fuchu, Kokubunji, Hanakoganei, and other areas. Located near the Fuchu Driver's License Examination Center.
Koyama Driving School Futakotamagawa Branch
3-43-1 Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku. 7-minute walk from Futako-Tamagawa Station on the Tokyu Line. Free shuttle bus available.
Koyama Driving School Seijo Branch
3-40-2 Okamoto, Setagaya-ku. Approximately 12 minutes by shuttle bus from Seijogakuenmae Station on the Odakyu Line.
Koyama Driving School Shakujii Branch
1-4-4 Tanihara, Nerima-ku. Approximately 10 minutes by shuttle bus from Shakujii-koen Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line.
Koyama Driving School Akitsu Branch
3-15-18 Akitsu-cho, Higashimurayama City. Shuttle buses are available from Shin-Akitsu Station on the JR Musashino Line, and Tokorozawa Station and Higashimurayama Station on the Seibu Line.
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).
Practice points
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.
During practice, keep these three things in mind and make sure you can repeat the same checks each time. Also, be sure to check the Japanese instructions that examiners often use before you start practicing.
FAQ
Q&A on skills assessment and practice in Tokyo
Where can I get my skills verified in Tokyo?
The relevant centers are Fuchu Driver's License Examination Center and Samezu Driver's License Examination Center. The Koto Driver's License Examination Center is only for those with licenses from one of the 29 countries/regions that exempt them from the exam, and they do not offer skills assessments there.
Can I take the skills assessment on the day of registration?
You cannot take the test immediately. Skill assessments are by appointment only, and you will take the test on a later date after making your reservation.
Can I practice driving at the testing center?
The Fuchu and Samezu testing centers open their courses on Saturdays and public holidays (2,000 yen per hour + 200 yen insurance fee). However, you will need to provide your own instructor (who has held a license for at least three years) and practice vehicle.
If I don't have a car or a passenger, where can I practice?
You can practice at designated driving schools in Tokyo. ZIPLUS introduces driving schools where you can practice converting your foreign driver's license.
Where can I find information about reservations and required documents?
This page provides information on how to convert your foreign driver's license in Tokyo, including how to make a web reservation, required documents, fees, and waiting times.
