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
American driver's licenses can be converted to Japanese licenses through a foreign license conversion program.
A US driver's license can be converted to a Japanese license through a foreign license conversion process if you have an address in Japan and have resided in the US for a total of three months or more since obtaining your license. Whether or not there is an exam depends on the state that issued your license. Licenses from seven states exempt you from both the knowledge test and the driving skills test. Indiana licenses only exempt you from the driving skills test. Licenses from other states require both a knowledge test (50 questions) and a driving skills test. International driving permits cannot be used for 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)
Many people living in Japan with an American driver's license want to drive for work or family reasons. Whether or not there's an exam for an American license varies depending on the state that issued it. This article explains, step by step, the requirements for conversion, whether or not an exam is required in each state, the documents needed for an American license, Japanese translations, and how to prepare for the exam.
conditions
Conditions for converting a US driver's license
A valid US driver's license
You will need a valid driver's license issued in the United States. 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 United States
You must have stayed in the United States for a total of three months or more after obtaining your driver's 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 US driver's license to a foreign driver's license.
In addition to the documents common to all countries, a US driver's license may require documents from your home country or embassy.
- A valid U.S. driver's license (original)
- Japanese translation (created by designated organizations such as ZIPLUS and JAF)
- Passport (confirming a 3-month stay with US entry and exit stamps. Old passports are also acceptable.)
- 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 United States: "If your passport does not have entry and exit stamps, you will need proof of your length of stay and an I-94 (Web; only for those who have traveled to the United States). If your driver's license does not show the date you first obtained it, you will need a Driver Record (Web; from your home country) or Driver History Record (Web; from your home country), depending on the documents you submit." The ISSUE DATE on a US driver's license may be the date of renewal. If you do not know the date you first obtained your license, it will be checked using your Driver Record. Some documents take time to obtain, so please check with the driver's license center where you are 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 US driver's license.
When converting to a foreign driver's license, you must submit a Japanese translation along with your US driver's license. Translations done by yourself or by general translation companies are not accepted. ZIPLUS can issue translations of US driver's licenses.
- Prepare images of the front and back of your driver's license.
- For the driver's license issue date in the translated document, write the issue date of the driver's license. If the issue date is different from the date you first obtained your license, please prepare documents such as your Driver Record yourself.
- ZIPLUS does not support translation of Driver Records.
- ZIPLUS can translate driver's licenses issued by the 50 US states and Washington D.C. It cannot translate licenses issued by overseas territories that are not states (such as Guam).
- 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).
Whether or not there is an exam
In the United States, the requirement for a driver's license varies by state.
Both knowledge and skills assessments are waived.
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Colorado
- Virginia
- hawaii state
- Maryland
- State of Washington
Skills assessment only is waived.
- Indiana
I will undergo a knowledge check.
Other states above
You will undergo both a knowledge assessment and a skills assessment.
Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, "How to convert a foreign-obtained driver's license to a Japanese driver's license" (Updated September 7, 2026, accessed October 22, 2026)
Exam preparation
Preparation for knowledge and skills assessment
Knowledge check will be in English.
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 English. 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 United States, 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. In the United States, traffic is on the right. Also, in many parts of the US, you can turn right on a red light, but this is not permitted in Japan. It's reassuring to practice turning left and right on a left-hand road, as well as knowing where to stop, at a driving school.
- Drivey, a knowledge review and preparation app: Available in English. 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 company representative who supports employees in the United States.
- Checking the expiration date of your driver's license and your record of residence in the United States 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 on converting your US driver's license to a foreign license
Can I drive in Japan with an American driver's license?
If you have an International Driving Permit (in the format of the Geneva Convention) obtained in the United States, you can drive in Japan for up to one year after arriving in the country. You cannot drive in Japan with only a US driver's license. If you plan to drive in Japan for more than one year, you will need to obtain a Japanese driver's license through an international license conversion process.
Are knowledge and skills assessments waived in the United States?
Whether or not there is an exam depends on the state that issued the license. Licenses from seven states exempt you from both knowledge and skills tests. Indiana licenses exempt you from the skills test only. Licenses from other states require both a knowledge test (50 questions) and a skills test.
Can I take the knowledge test in English?
Yes. We offer services nationwide in Japanese and 20 other languages, including English.
Which states' licenses exempt me from the driving test?
Licenses from Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland, and Washington exempt holders from both knowledge and skills tests. Indiana exempts holders from the skills test only. Licenses from other states require both tests (Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department information, updated September 7, 2026).
The issue date on your driver's license is not the date you first obtained your license.
In the US, the ISSUE DATE on your driver's license may be the date of renewal. To verify the date you first obtained your license, you may be asked for your Driver Record (state driving record). This can often be obtained from the state's website, so prepare it in advance.
What is I-94?
This is a record of your entry and exit from the United States. If your passport doesn't have stamps and you can't verify your time in the U.S., you can print out this record from the U.S. government website and submit it (according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's guidelines, this is for people who have traveled to the United States).
Can a driver's license issued in Guam be translated?
ZIPLUS cannot translate this. ZIPLUS can only translate driver's licenses issued by the 50 states and Washington D.C.
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 were in the United States for three months?
We will verify this using the US entry and exit stamps in your passport. If you do not have stamps, you will need documents proving the length of your stay.
