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
A Taiwanese driver's license can be converted to a Japanese license through a foreign license conversion program.
A driver's license obtained in Taiwan can be converted to a Japanese license through the foreign license conversion process, provided you have an address in Japan and have resided in Taiwan for a total of three months or more after obtaining your license. Taiwan is a country/region where knowledge and skills tests are waived. If you pass the document review and aptitude test (such as eyesight), you will be issued a Japanese license. 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 22, 2026)
The complete procedure (common to all countries) is summarized here: What is foreign driver's license conversion? (Conditions, required documents, fees, and timeframe)
Those residing in Japan with a Taiwanese driver's license are exempt from knowledge and skills tests. Since there are no tests, the process is quicker. However, you will need to prepare documents such as proof of your stay in Taiwan and a Japanese translation of your license. This article will explain the conditions for conversion, the documents required for a Taiwanese license, the Japanese translation, and the process on the day of the conversion.
conditions
Conditions for converting a Taiwanese driver's license
Valid Taiwanese driver's license
You will need a valid driver's license issued in Taiwan. If your license is about to expire, please check in advance to see if there is sufficient time for booking an appointment or taking the test.
More than 3 months in total in Taiwan
You must have stayed in Taiwan 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 Taiwanese driver's license to a foreign driver's license.
In addition to the documents common to all countries, Taiwanese licenses may require documents from your home country or embassy.
- A valid Taiwanese driver's license (original)
- Japanese translation (created by designated organizations such as ZIPLUS, JAF, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan)
- Passport (confirming a 3-month stay with Taiwanese entry and exit stamps. 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 "Certificate of Entry and Exit Dates (Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan)" as an additional document for Taiwan if your passport does not have entry and exit stamps. This document certifies your entry and exit records to and from Taiwan and is obtained from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan. 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 Taiwanese driver's license.
When converting your foreign driver's license, you must submit a Japanese translation of your Taiwanese driver's license along with it. Translations done by yourself or by general translation companies are not accepted. ZIPLUS can issue translations of Taiwanese driver's licenses.
- Prepare images of the front and back of your driver's license.
- Please check if your driver's license has more than one month until its expiration date.
- Please check that the text is not faded or illegible due to dirt.
- 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 exemption
Knowledge and skills assessments are waived. An aptitude test will be taken.
The process involves a document review and an aptitude test.
In Taiwan, the knowledge test (50 questions) and skills test are waived for obtaining a driver's license. After a document review, you will take an aptitude test, including vision tests.
It will be finished quickly once all the documents are ready.
Since there is no exam, the process is quick if all the necessary documents are in order. Some driver's license centers even issue licenses on the same day. The reservation method varies by prefecture.
Check Japanese traffic rules yourself.
Taiwan has right-hand traffic. Japan has left-hand traffic, so be careful of the lane after turning right or left. Signs and priority rules also differ from country to country. Be sure to check them before you start driving.
- The learning app Drivey allows you to learn Japanese traffic rules in Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Burmese.
- Things to check after converting to a foreign driver's license: You can check how novice drivers are treated and how to renew your license.
For businesses
The person in charge at the company supporting the Taiwanese employees must confirm this.
- Checking the expiration date of your driver's license and your record of stay in Taiwan 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 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.
- Adjusting work schedules for the application process: You will need to adjust your work schedule on the days of the document review and aptitude test.
Corporate Package (Comprehensive support for translation, learning, and skills practice)
FAQ
Q&A about converting your Taiwanese driver's license to a foreign license.
Can I drive in Japan with a Taiwanese driver's license?
If you have a Taiwanese driver's license and a Japanese translation for driving purposes, you can drive in Japan for up to one year after arriving in the country. If you plan to drive in Japan for more than one year, you will need to obtain a Japanese driver's license through a foreign license conversion process. The purpose of the translation for driving purposes and the translation submitted when applying for foreign license conversion are different.
Are knowledge and skills assessments waived for Taiwan?
Yes, you are exempt. You will undergo a document review and an aptitude test (including vision test).
Is it true that there's no test for a Taiwanese driver's license?
Yes. Taiwan is a country/region where knowledge and skills assessments are waived. You will undergo a document review and an aptitude test (including vision tests) (according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's information, updated September 7, 2026).
There are no stamps in my passport.
In some cases, such as when using automated gates in Taiwan, your passport may not have a stamp. In that case, you will need to obtain a Certificate of Entry and Exit Date (proof of entry and exit record) from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan and submit it.
Where can I create a translation?
You can get one made through ZIPLUS (3,850 yen, delivery in 2-3 days), JAF, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan, etc. You cannot use your own translation.
How do you prove that you spent three months in Taiwan?
We will verify this using the Taiwanese entry and exit stamps in your passport. If you do not have stamps, you will need to provide documentation proving your length of stay.
