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 British driver's license can be converted to a Japanese license through a foreign license conversion program.
A UK driver's license can be converted to a Japanese license through a foreign license conversion process, provided you have a registered address in Japan and have resided in the UK for a total of three months or more since obtaining your license. The UK is a country/region where knowledge and skills tests are waived. If you pass the document review and aptitude test (such as vision test), 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 November 3, 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 UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) 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 UK residency period and a Japanese translation of your license. This article explains the conditions for conversion, required documents, Japanese translation, and the process on the day of the conversion in order.
conditions
Conditions for converting a UK driver's license
Valid UK driver's license
You will need a valid driver's license issued in the UK. 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 UK
You must have stayed in the UK 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. Calculate your length of stay.
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 UK driver's license to a foreign driver's license.
In addition to the documents common to all countries, a UK driver's license may require documents from your home country or embassy.
- A valid UK driver's license (original)
- Japanese translation (created by designated organizations such as ZIPLUS and JAF)
- Passport (confirming a 3-month stay with UK 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 "proof of length of stay (listed under 'European countries')" as an additional document for the UK if your passport does not have entry and exit stamps. You will need to demonstrate with other documents that you have stayed in the UK for a total of three months or more. Some documents may 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 UK driver's license.
When converting your foreign driver's license, you must submit a Japanese translation of your UK driver's license along with it. Translations done by yourself or by general translation companies are not acceptable. ZIPLUS can issue translations of UK driver's licenses.
- We accept driver's licenses from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- 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 the UK, 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.
The UK, like Japan, drives on the left. However, traffic signs and priority rules 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
A representative from the company supporting the UK employees will verify this.
- The applicant's driver's license expiration date and proof of residence in the UK: 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 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 a UK driver's license to a foreign license
Can I drive in Japan with a UK driver's license?
You cannot drive in Japan with a UK 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 in the UK?
Yes, you are exempt. You will undergo a document review and an aptitude test (including vision test).
Are there really no exams for a British driver's license?
Yes. The UK is a country/region where knowledge and skills assessments are waived. You will undergo a document review and an aptitude test (such as vision test) (according to the Metropolitan Police Department's information, updated September 7, 2026).
Does this also apply to licenses issued in Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Yes. It will be treated as a UK license. ZIPLUS translations are compatible with licenses from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Where can I create a translation?
You can get one made through ZIPLUS (3,850 yen, takes approximately 2-3 days), JAF, etc. You cannot use a self-translated document.
How do you prove that you spent three months in the UK?
We will verify this using the UK entry and exit stamps in your passport. If you do not have stamps, you will need documents proving the length of your stay.
