Switching License Tips
Just read and pass the exam! Knowledge confirmation for switching foreign Driver's License (written exam) Thorough explanation summary
table of contents
- For those who are switching foreign Driver's License for the first time
- What is knowledge confirmation (academic test) for changing to Gaimen?
- -What are the questions?
- -How many questions are there in the exam?
- -Are there also descriptive questions? What is the question format?
- Summary of example questions for knowledge confirmation (academic exam)
- To take the knowledge check (theoretical test)
- -General flow of changing Gaimen license
- -Reservation at the license center
- For those who are unsure about Japanese
- There are countries where knowledge verification and skill verification are exempted when changing to a foreign driver's license.
- lastly
For those who are switching foreign Driver's License for the first time
I want to obtain a driver's license while on a business trip or study abroad and switch to a Japanese license. I have a foreign driver's license, but I don't have a Japanese driver's license. I don't know what kind of test there is to change to a Gaimen license... For those of you who have such troubles! Changing your Gaimen license for the first time is full of anxiety. In this article, we will thoroughly explain the knowledge confirmation (theoretical test) of the two exams ``Knowledge Confirmation and Skill Confirmation'' that are conducted at the Gaimen Exchange. If you read this to the end, passing the exam on the first try will not be a dream! !
What is knowledge confirmation (academic test) for changing to Gaimen?
What is the question?
Questions on basic Japanese traffic laws will be asked.
We'll give you some concrete examples in the next chapter!
How many questions are there in the exam?
There will be 10 questions on the exam. You can pass the exam by answering 7 or more questions out of 10 correctly.
Are there writing questions? What is the question format?
There are no written questions. Answer all questions in 〇× format.
Summary of example questions for knowledge confirmation (academic exam)
- Question 1: At a crosswalk or bicycle crossing zone, you must not overtake or overtake another vehicle within 20 meters of you.
-
A.
[×] *Not within 20 meters in front of you, but within 30 meters in front of you.
- Question 2: Vehicles must drive on the right side of the center of the road.
-
A.
[×] *You must pass on the left side, not the right side.
- Question 3: Regular cars are not allowed to pass through the dedicated bus lanes, regardless of the designated time.
-
A.
[×] *You can pass the road outside of the designated hours.
- Question 4: Inner wheel difference is the difference in trajectory caused by the rear wheels passing on the inside of the front wheels when a car turns left or right.
-
A.
【〇】
- Question 5: When driving through mud or puddles, it is better to drive slowly in a low gear.
-
A.
【〇】
-
Question 6This
sign indicates that there is a school, kindergarten, or nursery school.
-
A.
[×] *This is a sign indicating that there is a crosswalk.
-
Question 7:
Cars and streetcars must stop where this sign is displayed.
-
A.
【〇】
-
Question 8:
You must be careful about noise in the area where this sign is posted.
-
A.
[×] *Represents the area within the horn section, so the horn must be sounded.
-
Question 9:
You must drive slowly wherever you see this sign.
-
A.
[×] *This sign indicates that the road ahead is slippery.
-
Question 10:
Where this sign is posted, bicycles can ride side by side.
-
A.
【〇】
To take the knowledge check (theoretical test)
General flow of changing Gaimen license
Examination ⇒ Appropriate examination ⇒ Knowledge confirmation ⇒ Skill confirmation
Reservation at the license center
Currently, you cannot take the written exam unless you make an advance reservation at the license center in most prefectures. There are also license centers where you can make advance reservations online. Please check with the license center where you will be applying in advance.
For those who are unsure about Japanese
It's okay if you're worried about taking the entrance exam in Japanese! You can take the test in multiple languages other than Japanese. The languages available differ depending on the license center, so please check with the license center where you will be applying for details. (As of October 2023)
Tokyo
Arabic, Indonesian, Urdu, English, Korean, Spanish, Thai, Tagalog, Turkish, French, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Persian, Bengali, Portuguese, Malaysian, Burmese, Russian word
Kanagawa
English, Korean, Spanish, Thai, Tagalog, Chinese, Vietnamese, Persian, Portuguese, Russian
Saitama
Ukrainian, Urdu, English, Spanish, Thai, Tagalog, Chinese, Vietnamese, Persian, Portuguese, Russian
Chiba
English, Sinhala, Spanish, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Persian, Portuguese, Mongolian
Aichi
Ukrainian, Urdu, English, Korean, Spanish, Thai, Chinese, Turkish, Vietnamese, Persian, Portuguese, Russian
Osaka
Indonesian, English, Korean, Khmer, Spanish, Thai, Tagalog, Chinese, Nepali, Vietnamese, Persian, Portuguese, Burmese, Mongolian, Russian
Fukuoka
Ukrainian, English, Korean, Spanish, Thai, Tagalog, Chinese, Vietnamese, Persian, Portuguese, Russian
Please contact the License Center directly for the latest information and supported languages in other prefectures.
There are countries where knowledge verification and skill verification are exempted when changing to a foreign driver's license.
Those who hold a driver's Driver's License from the following countries will be exempted from knowledge and skill verification when switching to a foreign driver's license.
Iceland Ireland United States of America (Limited to Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland, Washington, and Indiana. However, Indiana is exempt only from skill verification.) |
England Italy |
Australia Austria Netherlands |
Canada South Korea |
Greece |
Switzerland Sweden Spain Slovenia |
czech |
Denmark |
Germany |
new zealand |
Norway |
Hungary |
Finland France |
Belgium |
Poland Portugal |
Monaco |
Luxembourg |
Taiwan |
lastly
What did you think? There were probably many things you didn't know. If you understand the basic traffic rules of Japan, passing the written test for the foreign driver's license conversion test on the first try is not a dream. It's a good idea to prepare thoroughly by checking the practice questions in advance.
In addition, there are many license centers that can handle languages other than Japanese, so if you want to take the knowledge test (written test) in another language, it is important to check in advance.
Once you pass the knowledge test (written test), the final step is the skills test! Please also use this article.
Aim to pass on the first try! It's difficult if you don't know! ? Preparation for skill confirmation (practical test) for changing to Gaimen
Click here for “SAMURAI DRIVER, preparation for foreign driver license change/skill confirmation test”☟
Japanese version: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/jpsamuraidriverziplus
English version: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/ensamuraidriverziplus
Chinese version: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/zhsamuraidriverziplus
Vietnamese version: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/visamuraidriver
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