A must-see for those with a Chinese driver's Driver's License! How to switch your Chinese driver's Driver's License in Japan (switch to foreign driver's license)

Introduction

You have a Chinese driver's Driver's License! In fact, if you have a Chinese driver's Driver's License, you can easily drive in Japan by simply following the procedure for switching to a foreign driver Driver's License (hereinafter referred to as "gaimen switching").
However, just by hearing the phrase "gaimen switching", you may not know exactly what to do or how the procedure will proceed.
Don't worry! In this article, we will thoroughly explain how those with a Chinese driver's Driver's License can switch to a Japanese driver's Driver's License.

Benefits of switching to Gaimen

In recent years, we have received many applications from Chinese people for switching to a Gaimen license, as it has the following two advantages.

1. cost
   
   Rather than getting a license at a driving school overwhelmingly cheap It is possible to obtain a license.
   [Gaimen switching]: Approximately 10,600 yen
   The fee for obtaining a translation of a Chinese driver's license is approximately 6,000 yen and 4,600 yen at the license center (application fee: 2,550 yen, issuance fee: 2,050 yen).
   
   [Obtain license at driving school]: Approximately 300,000 yen
   Tuition fees are required to attend the driving school.
2. Number of examinations/time
   
   [Gaimen Switch]: Just take the knowledge check and skill check. (If you pass everything on the first try)
   Appointments for skill verification are extremely crowded, especially at licensing centers in urban areas. Please contact the License Center in advance.
   
   [Obtaining a license at a driving school]: For an AT license (automatic), there are 31 hours of Driving Lessons, 26 hours of theoretical training, two skill tests, and two written exams.

Basic procedure for converting a foreign driver's license to a Chinese driver's Driver's License

There are roughly four steps to changing your Gaimen.

① Document preparation ➞ ② Screening/test reservation ➞ ③ Document screening ➞ ④ Aptitude screening/knowledge confirmation (written exam)/skills confirmation (practical exam) ➞ Driver's License issue
*Please note that this may vary depending on the license center in each prefecture.

①Preparation of documents

If you have obtained a Chinese driver's Driver's License, the following documents are required to convert to a foreign driver's license.

[Required for all]

• Valid Chinese driving Driver's License (A)
• Japanese translation of (A)

[For publication of translated documents Front/back side of Driver's License ・ Subpage front/back side of Total of 4 pieces is required]

(Example 1: Driver's Driver's License front/back)

(Example 2: Subpage front/back)

Click here to apply for a Japanese translation ▶

• Resident record
• Proof that you have stayed in the country/region where you obtained your driver's license for a total of 3 months or more after obtaining your driver's license (passport, etc.)
• Basic information (with the official seal of the vehicle management office, with the electronic official seal on the website)

*In Beijing, proof (driver's license, accident record, traffic violation, 12 minutes) is acceptable (electronic official seal)
*For Tianjin City, registration information (official seal, digital official seal for online) is also acceptable.

One point from the following (① to ④)

① Transcript certificate
②Certification of career history
③Credit status (violations, accidents)
①～③: All available at vehicle management office (with official seal) or online (with electronic official seal from vehicle management office)

④Printed digital Driver's License
(Make sure to include photo, name, QR code, address, license type, and date of acquisition)
*If there are two or more types of licenses, documents showing the date of acquisition of each license.

[Applicable persons only]

• Japanese driver's Driver's License
• international driving Driver's License
• Residence card or special permanent resident certificate, etc. (for foreign nationals)

[Documents that may be required]

• Resident ID card, temporary residence permit, immigration record (WEB)

*If you apply online to the National Immigration Administration (NIA) and print it out in advance and bring it with you, the waiting time will be significantly shortened.

[Those who complete the procedure at the Tokyo Driver's License Center]

• List of countries where driver's license is obtained

We recommend filling out the form in advance, as it will shorten the review time!
*If you have immigration records from the time you obtained your license, you do not need to submit this form.

▼Jump to external link of Metropolitan Police Department

Metropolitan Police Department/List of stay status in countries where driver's license was obtained (example)
Metropolitan Police Department/List of driver's license country stay status

【others】

• ID photo
• cash
• Glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids (if necessary)
• Person who can interpret (if necessary) *For details, see ③ Document screening​

Reference: Metropolitan Police Department/List of required documents by country
Reference: Metropolitan Police Department/How to convert a driver's Driver's License obtained overseas to a Japanese driver's Driver's License

②Reservation for examination/examination

In recent years, with the increase in the number of foreigners visiting Japan, the number of people switching to Gaimen has also increased. Therefore, in order to change your foreign license, you must make a reservation in advance at a driver's license center, etc. Reservations can be made by phone, online, or in person, depending on the driver's license center. For details, please contact the driver's license center in each prefecture.

Click here for information on driver's license centers in each prefecture ▶

③Document examination

The document review will also include oral questions. We will explain in Japanese the situation when obtaining a driver's license in China. All interviews will be conducted in Japanese, so if you are unsure about answering in Japanese, it is a good idea to have an interpreter accompany you. Interpreters may be asked to show identification. It's best to have your driver's Driver's License, health insurance card, My Number card, passport, student ID card, etc. ready.

Gaimen switching video SAMURAI DRIVER ▶

④ Aptitude examination/knowledge confirmation (written exam)/skill confirmation (practical exam)

In the [aptitude examination], a visual acuity and hearing test will be conducted. Please note that the passing criteria differ depending on each license type.

[Knowledge Confirmation (Academic Test)] questions will be asked regarding basic Japanese traffic laws, etc.
There are 10 questions on the exam, and you must answer 7 or more correctly to pass the exam.

Click here for examples to check your knowledge ▶

Some driver's license centers allow you to take the test in Chinese, so please contact your local driver's license center.

Click here for information on driver's license centers nationwide ▶

[Skills Confirmation (Practical Test)] will be scored using a point deduction system out of a possible 100 points. Pass the exam with a score of 70 or higher. This test does not test your driving technique, but rather your understanding of Japanese traffic rules and whether you are aware of the key points of safe driving.

Click here for the key points for skill confirmation ▶

More detailed explanation in the video

Finally

So far, we have provided a thorough explanation of how to convert a Chinese driver's Driver's License to a foreign license, but what do you think? If you have a Chinese driver's Driver's License, you can drive in Japan just by switching to a foreign driver's license.
Please refer to this article as you need to prepare various documents in advance for the procedure for changing your Gaimen license!