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
Philippine driver's licenses can be converted to Japanese licenses through a foreign license conversion program.
A driver's license obtained in the Philippines can be converted to a Japanese license through a foreign license conversion process, provided you have an address in Japan and have resided in the Philippines for a total of three months or more after obtaining the license. Since the Philippines is not a country where the driving test is waived, you will undergo a document review and aptitude test, followed by a knowledge test (50 questions) and a skills test. International driving permits cannot be used for this conversion.
Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, "How to convert a foreign-obtained driver's license to a Japanese driver's license", Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, "List of required documents by country" (as of August 2026) (verified October 7, 2026)
The complete procedure (common to all countries) is summarized here: What is foreign driver's license conversion? (Conditions, required documents, fees, and timeframe)
Many Filipinos live in Japan, and an increasing number want to drive for work or to pick up and drop off family members. This article explains, step by step, the requirements for converting a Philippine driver's license to a Japanese one, including the necessary documents unique to a Philippine license such as an apostille certificate, and how to prepare for knowledge and skills checks.
conditions
Conditions for converting a Philippine driver's license
Valid Philippine driver's license
You will need a valid driver's license issued in the Philippines. If your license is about to expire, check in advance to see if there is availability for appointments and exams.
More than 3 months in total in the Philippines
You must have stayed in the Philippines for a total of three months or more after obtaining your license. This will be verified by your passport's entry and exit stamps. This does not mean you have to wait three months in Japan. (Calculation of stay duration)
I have an address in Japan
A copy of your resident registration certificate, which includes your nationality and residence status, is required. As of October 2025, it is no longer possible to change your residence status if you have a short-term stay (such as tourism) status.
Required documents
Required documents when converting a Philippine driver's license to a foreign driver's license.
In addition to the documents common to all countries, a Philippine driver's license may require documents from your home country or embassy.
- A valid Philippine driver's license (original)
- Japanese translation (prepared by designated organizations such as ZIPLUS, JAF, and the Philippine Embassy in Japan)
- Passport (Philippine entry and exit stamps to confirm a 3-month stay. Old passports are also required.)
- A copy of the resident registration certificate containing specific information (issued within the last 6 months)
- Identity verification documents such as residence card
- Application photo (3cm high x 2.4cm wide), fee
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's "List of Required Documents by Country" lists the following additional documents for the Philippines: "Certification with APOSTILLE (in your home country), License History, Official Receipt (in your home country). If you cannot verify all your stays during the validity period of your driver's license, an Immigration Record with APOSTILLE (in your home country)." LTO (Land Transport Office) certificates and immigration records require an apostille (certification by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Some documents take time to obtain, so please check with the driver's license center where you will be applying as soon as possible. Similar documents may be required in prefectures other than Tokyo.
If there is no stamp in your passport
If your entry and exit stamps are missing or illegible, you will need documents proving your length of stay. Since obtaining these documents can take time, please prepare them in advance.
Official Translation
Prepare a Japanese translation of your Philippine driver's license.
When converting your foreign driver's license, you must submit a Japanese translation of your Philippine driver's license along with it. Translations done by yourself or by general translation companies are not acceptable. ZIPLUS can issue translations of Philippine driver's licenses.
- In addition to images of the front and back of your driver's license, you will need either your Official Receipt (the receipt from when you obtained your license) or a Certification of your license issued by the LTO.
- The official receipt should be addressed to the same person as the license holder, have a Lic No. that matches the License No. on the license, and include a section for License Fee.
- If you have both a Certification and an Official Receipt, please present the Certification. The apostille attached to the Certification is not required when applying for translation, but you will be asked to present it at the driver's license center.
- Take the necessary images: Check that the text is not blurred and that there is no glare.
- Apply and pay online: The fee is 3,850 yen (tax incl.). We will also check if your driver's license has more than one month until its expiration date.
- Expected delivery time: 2-3 days. You can print it at a convenience store or have it mailed to you (additional 600 yen).
Exam preparation
Preparation for knowledge and skills assessment
Knowledge check is in Tagalog.
You must complete 50 reading comprehension questions in 30 minutes, and you need to answer at least 45 correctly. The test is available nationwide in Japanese and 20 other languages, including Tagalog. Please inform the reception desk of your preferred language.
When taking the skills test, pay attention to "driving on the left side of the road".
In the Philippines, traffic drives on the right. When you're nervous, you might accidentally enter the opposite lane after making a right turn. Practice the Japanese procedures, such as visually checking for safety at intersections and slowing down before pedestrian crossings.
Practice at the driving school.
The skills test is conducted using the same type of vehicle and course as the Japanese driving test. It's a good idea to practice turning left and right while driving on the left side of the road, and checking the correct sequence at intersections, at your driving school, following the Japanese test procedures.
- Drivey, a knowledge review and preparation app, supports Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Burmese languages. Learn through videos, text, and practice tests.
- Skills Test Preparation Video SAMURAI DRIVER: You can check the key points of the skills test in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
- Skills assessment pass criteria, deductions, and test cancellation items
- Converting your motorcycle (two-wheeled/moped) license to a foreign license: If you have a motorcycle license, please check which Japanese license you will get and the differences in the exams.
For businesses
This will be confirmed by a representative of the company supporting the Filipino employees.
- The applicant's driver's license expiration date and record of their stay in the Philippines: Checking these before joining the company will help prevent delays in the process.
- Appointment availability at your local driver's license center: Depending on the region, appointments for knowledge checks may be available several months in advance.
- Required documents from the home country/embassy: We will confirm the documents required by the application destination with the applicant as soon as possible.
- Preparation for the exam and work adjustments: You will need to adjust your work schedule on the days of the knowledge and skills assessments.
Corporate Package (Comprehensive support for translation, learning, and skills practice)
FAQ
Q&A about converting your Philippine driver's license to a foreign license.
Can I drive in Japan with a Philippine driver's license?
You cannot drive in Japan with a Philippine driver's license as is. If you live in Japan and want to drive, you will need to obtain a Japanese driver's license through a foreign license conversion process.
Are knowledge and skills assessments waived for the Philippines?
There are no exemptions. After document review and an aptitude test, you will undergo knowledge and skills assessments.
Can I take the knowledge check in Tagalog?
Yes. We offer services nationwide in Japanese and 20 other languages, including Tagalog.
What images are required for a translation of a Philippine driver's license?
In addition to the front and back of your driver's license, you will need either an Official Receipt or a Certification issued by the LTO. If you have both, please present the Certification.
What is an apostille?
This is an authentication issued by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs to certify the official nature of the document. The Metropolitan Police Department's list of required documents by country includes LTO certifications and entry/exit records with apostilles.
Where can I create a translation?
You can get one made through ZIPLUS (3,850 yen, takes approximately 2-3 days), JAF, the Philippine Embassy in Japan, etc. You cannot use a self-translated document.
How do you prove that you spent three months in the Philippines?
We will verify this using the entry and exit stamps from the Philippines in your passport. If you do not have stamps, you will need to provide documentation proving your length of stay.
