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
To drive a taxi or bus, foreigners need both a foreign driver's license conversion and a Class 2 driver's license.
First, you need to convert your foreign license to a Japanese Class 1 driver's license. After that, you aim to obtain a Class 2 license (or Class 2 license) at a driving school or similar institution. If the foreign license conversion is delayed, all subsequent training, exams, and instruction will also be delayed.
Taxi and bus companies are increasingly hiring foreign nationals under the Specified Skills Visa for "Motor Transport." However, they cannot start driving immediately after being hired. This article explains the process leading up to foreign drivers starting work and provides tips for preparing for the written exam for a Class 2 driver's license, for companies considering hiring foreign drivers.
system
The Specified Skills Visa allows for the employment of foreign taxi and bus drivers.
The automobile transport industry was added to the list of eligible workers under the Specified Skills program in March 2024. The government expects to accept a total of 22,100 workers in the truck, taxi, and bus sectors between fiscal years 2024 and 2028.
Taxi and bus drivers require a Japanese Class 2 driver's license. The process for accepting drivers from overseas is as follows:
- Meet the requirements such as the Specified Skills Assessment Test and the Japanese Language Test.
- Entering Japan with the "Designated Activities" residence status
- During the period of designated activities, proceed with foreign license conversion, Class 2 license acquisition, and new driver training.
If you don't obtain a Japanese driver's license during this period, you won't be able to transition to Specified Skilled Worker Visa 1. Managing your schedule until you obtain your license will determine whether or not you are hired. If you obtain your license quickly, you can transition to Specified Skilled Worker Visa 1 sooner and start working sooner.
flow
The process of starting work
When hiring someone with a valid foreign driver's license, the process usually proceeds as follows:
- Check your foreign driver's license, driving history, residence records, and required documents.
- Meet the requirements for the Specified Skills Assessment Test, Japanese language test, etc.
- Entering Japan with a "Designated Activities" residence status
- To obtain a Japanese Class 1 driver's license through foreign license conversion.
- Aiming for a Class 2 driver's license at a designated driving school, etc.
- Pass the written exam for a Class 2 driver's license.
- Completed new driver training.
- I changed my residence status to Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1) and started working as a flight attendant.
Converting to a foreign driver's license and obtaining a Class 2 driver's license are separate procedures. From the hiring stage, plan the paperwork, license conversion, training, written exam, and internship as a single, continuous process.
ZIPLUS offers a comprehensive foreign driver's license conversion package for companies, assisting with translation and preparation for knowledge and skills checks. By also using Drivey 's Class 2 driver's license preparation materials, you can continue learning from foreign driver's license conversion to the Class 2 driver's license written exam.
License Conversion
Reasons why the written exam for a Class 2 driver's license is difficult
The written exam for a Class 2 driver's license consists of 90 written questions and 5 illustration-based questions, for a total of 95 questions. The maximum score is 100 points, and a score of 90 or higher is required to pass.
According to the National Police Agency's "Driver's License Statistics, 2025 Edition," the overall pass rate for the Class 2 driver's license exam in 2025 was 61.1%. The pass rate for regular Class 2 licenses was 60.8%, and for large Class 2 licenses it was 67.1%. Even including Japanese nationals, it's not an easy exam.
Things that foreign test-takers find difficult
- The driving school's lessons and materials are mostly in Japanese.
- The legal and signage terminology is difficult.
- It is necessary to carefully read the specific wording of the issue, such as "must" and "must not."
- This is a test of a professional driver's judgment in safely transporting passengers.
- Traffic rules and driving customs are different in my home country and in Japan.
Simply memorizing questions and answers isn't enough. It's crucial to learn in a way that allows you to understand, in your native language, why a particular judgment is necessary.
Impact on the company
Failing the exam will have an impact on the company.
- The start of operations was delayed, causing a disruption in the personnel deployment plan.
- Retaking the exam or taking additional courses costs money and time.
- The costs of personnel expenses and living support before assignment will be incurred over a long period.
- The workload for those in charge of recruitment and training will increase.
- The maximum period of one year for designated activities will not be sufficient.
It's important not to leave studying entirely up to the individual, but to start studying as soon as they are hired. Having a system in place that allows the company to monitor the individual's level of understanding and progress is also helpful.
Drivey
Drivey 's "Class 2 Driver's License Written Exam Preparation Course"
Drivey is ZIPLUS 's driver's license written test preparation service. In addition to knowledge checks for foreign license conversion, provisional license, full license, and moped licenses, a new course has been added for foreign taxi and bus drivers aiming for a Class 2 license.
Japanese and Five Foreign Languages
In addition to Japanese, you can learn in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Burmese. Even if you hire people of different nationalities, you can educate them using the same materials.
Videos and interactive text
First, you'll get an overview through the video. Next, you'll organize the important points with interactive text. After that, you'll move on to practice problems and a review test. The order is designed to make it easy to understand the reasoning behind the answers.
I can see my weaknesses.
You can view your study records, test results, and accuracy rates. For companies, the service also allows the company to track each employee's progress.
PCs and smartphones
It can be used on PCs, iPhones, and Android devices. You can study during your commute or while waiting for your driving lessons.
How to use it at work
- Once you're hired, get started right away: While preparing to convert your foreign driver's license, you'll also learn the basics of Japanese traffic rules.
- Review before and after the lesson: Prepare by watching the video before the lesson, and review with practice problems after the lesson.
- The company monitors progress: They identify areas that haven't been covered yet or subjects where the student is struggling, and recommend supplementary lessons as soon as possible.
- To use this information for future recruitment: Record the period you studied and the areas where you struggled, and use this information to plan your next training program.
For more details, please also check out Drivey 's blog, "Foreign Taxi and Bus Drivers: The Biggest Obstacle is the Class 2 Driver's License Written Exam."
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions from Taxi and Bus Companies
Does the "three years or more of license experience" requirement for obtaining a Class 2 driver's license include periods of having held a license in a foreign country?
Yes, it may be possible. In some cases, the period spent residing in a foreign country while holding a foreign license equivalent to a Japanese license may be counted. The "3 years or more" refers to the period of holding a regular driver's license, not experience driving for work. When verifying this, you may be asked to provide your foreign license, proof of driving history, passport or entry/exit records, and Japanese translations. Requirements vary by country and prefecture, so please check with each candidate individually.
Can I see a demonstration of the course for obtaining a Class 2 driver's license?
Yes. We can offer a demo to our corporate clients. You can see videos, interactive text, practice problems, quizzes, and a progress screen tailored for businesses. Please contact Drivey 's corporate support desk.
How much studying is required to pass the written exam?
It varies depending on your Japanese language proficiency, understanding of Japanese traffic rules, and the amount of time you spend studying. A rough estimate is 1 to 3 months. Approximately 80% of the questions are the same as those on the regular driver's license written test, and about 20% are specific to the Class 2 license, such as transporting passengers. It is important to have a solid understanding of the content covered in the regular driver's license.
Can I use Drivey from overseas before coming to Japan?
Yes. You can use it from overseas as long as you have internet access. Starting your studies before coming to Japan will allow you to make effective use of your limited time for specific activities. For account issuance and when you can start using it, please contact Drivey 's corporate support desk.
Can I observe how the trainees are studying at my company?
Yes. Our service for companies allows you to view each employee's study records and test results. You can use this to quickly identify who hasn't studied yet or who has weak areas, and then decide when to provide supplementary lessons or prepare for exams.
Are the languages used in Drivey the same as those used in the actual written exam?
Drivey is available in six languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Burmese. The foreign language you can use on the actual test varies by prefecture. Please check with the driver's license center in the area where you will be taking the test for the latest information.
