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
Indonesian driver's licenses can be converted to Japanese licenses through a foreign license conversion program.
An Indonesian driver's license can be converted to a Japanese license through a foreign license conversion process, provided you have an address in Japan and have resided in Indonesia for a total of three months or more after obtaining the license. Since Indonesia 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. An international driving permit 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)
With the increasing number of Indonesians coming to Japan under the Specified Skills and Technical Intern Training programs, opportunities to drive for work are also increasing. This article will explain, step by step, the requirements for converting an Indonesian driver's license (SIM) to a Japanese license, the necessary documents specific to Indonesian licenses, and how to prepare for knowledge and skills checks.
conditions
Conditions for converting an Indonesian driver's license
Valid Indonesian driver's license
You will need a valid driver's license issued in Indonesia. If your license is about to expire, 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 Indonesia
You must have stayed in Indonesia 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 the number of days 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 an Indonesian driver's license to a foreign driver's license.
In addition to the documents common to all countries, Indonesian licenses may require documents from your home country or embassy.
- A valid Indonesian driver's license (original)
- Japanese translation (prepared by designated organizations such as ZIPLUS, JAF, and the Indonesian Embassy in Japan)
- Passport (confirming a 3-month stay with Indonesian 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 "Driving Record (Required if the issuance date is not written on the driver's license) (from your home country)" as an additional document for Indonesia. If the issuance date is not written on your license, you will need to obtain your driving record from your home country. 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 Indonesian driver's license.
When converting your Indonesian driver's license to a Japanese license, you must submit a Japanese translation along with your Indonesian license. Translations done by yourself or by general translation companies are not acceptable. ZIPLUS can issue translations of Indonesian driver's licenses.
- Prepare images of the front and back of your driver's license.
- Check for any characters that are difficult to read due to smudging or staining.
- 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 Indonesian.
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 Indonesian. Please inform the reception desk of your preferred language.
Even though it's the same left-hand traffic system, you must not let your guard down.
Indonesia, like Japan, drives on the left side of the road. Nevertheless, during the skills test, they meticulously check whether you can drive according to Japanese procedures, such as visually checking for safety at intersections, slowing down before pedestrian crossings, and timing your signals.
Practice at the driving school.
The skills test is conducted using the same type of vehicle and course as the Japanese driving test. If you have mainly driven motorcycles in Indonesia, or have only driven automatic cars, it would be reassuring to familiarize yourself with the Japanese procedures and feel for the cars at a driving school.
- Drivey, a knowledge review and preparation app: Now available in Indonesian. 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 supporting the Indonesian employees.
- The applicant's driver's license expiration date and record of their stay in Indonesia: 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 Indonesian driver's license to a foreign license.
Can I drive in Japan with an Indonesian driver's license?
You cannot drive with an Indonesian 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 Indonesian citizens?
There are no exemptions. After document review and an aptitude test, you will undergo knowledge and skills assessments.
Can I take the knowledge test in Indonesian?
Yes. We offer services nationwide in Japanese and 20 other languages, including Indonesian.
My Indonesian driver's license doesn't have an issue date. What should I do?
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's list of required documents by country, if the issuance date is not specified, a driving record from your home country is required. Since it takes time to obtain this from your home country, please prepare it as early as possible.
Where can I create a translation?
You can get one made through ZIPLUS (3,850 yen, takes approximately 2-3 days), JAF, the Indonesian Embassy in Japan, etc. You cannot use a self-translated document.
How do you prove that you spent three months in Indonesia?
We will verify this using the Indonesian entry and exit stamps in your passport. If you do not have stamps, you will need documents proving the length of your stay.
