table of contents
Introduction
For those of you who have a Chinese driver's Driver's License! In fact, if you have a Chinese driver's Driver's License, you can easily drive in Japan by simply going through the simple procedure to switch to a foreign driver's Driver's License (hereafter referred to as "foreign license switching").
However, just hearing the term "foreign license switching" doesn't really tell you what to do specifically or how the procedure will proceed.
Don't worry! This article will thoroughly explain how someone with a Chinese driver's Driver's License can switch to a Japanese driver's Driver's License.
Benefits of switching to a foreign driver's license
In recent years, we have received many applications from Chinese people for switching to a Gaimen license, as it has the following two advantages.
- cost
It is possible to obtain a license at a much lower cost than getting one at a driving school.
[Foreign license switch]: Approximately 10,600 yen
The fee for obtaining a translation of your Chinese license is approximately 6,000 yen, and 4,600 yen at the license center (application fee: 2,550 yen, issuance fee: 2,050 yen).
[Get a license at a driving school]: Approximately 300,000 yen
Tuition fees are required to attend driving school. - Number of examinations and time
[External License Switching]: Just take the knowledge and skill checks. (If you pass all in one try)
Regarding reservations for driving skill checks, driver's license centers, especially in urban areas, are often very busy, so we recommend that you contact the driver's license center in advance.
[Get a license at a driving school]: For an AT license (automatic transmission), there are 31 hours of Driving Lessons, 26 hours of written training, two practical tests, and two written tests.
Basic steps to convert your Chinese driver's Driver's License to a foreign license
There are roughly four steps to changing your Gaimen.
① Prepare documents ➞ ② Book an examination/test ➞ ③ Document examination ➞
④Aptitude test/Knowledge verification (written test)/Skill verification (practical test) → Driver's License issuance
*Please note that this may vary depending on the prefectural license center.
1. Preparation of documents
If you have a Chinese driver's Driver's License, you will need the following documents to switch to a foreign driver's license.
[Required for all]
- Valid Chinese driving Driver's License (A)
- Japanese translation of (A)
[Translation issuance Front/back of Driver's License ・ Subpage front/back of Total of 4 is required.
(Example ①: Front/back of driver's Driver's License)
(Example ②: Subpage front/back)
- Resident record
- Proof that you have stayed in the country/region where you obtained your driver's license for a total of 3 months or more after obtaining your driver's license (passport, etc.)
- Basic information (with the official seal of the vehicle management office, with the electronic official seal on the website)
* In Beijing, proof (license, accident record, traffic violation, 12 minutes) is also acceptable (with electronic official seal)
* For Tianjin, registration information (with official seal, for WEB, with electronic official seal) is also acceptable.
One of the following (① to ④)
① Certificate of Academic Record
②Certification of work history
3) Credit status (violations, accidents)
①～③: All are required to be submitted by the Vehicle Management Office (with official seal) or online (with electronic official seal of the Vehicle Management Office)
④ A printout of your digital Driver's License
(Must include a photo, name, QR code, address, license type, and acquisition date)
* If you have two or more types of licenses, documents showing the acquisition date of each type
[Applicable persons only]
- Japanese driver's Driver's License
- international driving Driver's License
- Residence card or special permanent resident certificate, etc. (for foreign nationals)
[Documents that may be required]
- Resident ID card, temporary residence permit, immigration record (WEB)
*If you apply online to the National Immigration Administration (NIA) and print it out in advance and bring it with you, the waiting time will be significantly shortened.
[Those who complete the procedure at the Tokyo Driver's License Center]
- List of countries where driver's license is obtained
We recommend filling it out in advance as it will cut down on review time!
*If you have an entry and exit record from the time you obtained your license, you do not need to submit this form.
▼Jump to external link of Metropolitan Police Department
Metropolitan Police Department/List of status of residence in countries where driver's licenses were obtained
【others】
- ID photo
- cash
- Glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids (if necessary)
- Person who can interpret (if necessary) *For details, see ③ Document screening
Reference: Metropolitan Police Department/How to change a driver's Driver's License obtained abroad to a Japanese driver's Driver's License
② Examination/examination reservation
In recent years, with the increase in the number of foreigners visiting Japan, the number of people switching to Gaimen has also increased. Therefore, in order to change your foreign license, you must make a reservation in advance at a driver's license center, etc. Reservations can be made by phone, online, or in person, depending on the driver's license center. For details, please contact the driver's license center in each prefecture.
Click here for information on driver's license centers in each prefecture
③ Document screening
Submit the documents prepared in step ① to the license center. The document review will also include oral questions. You will be asked to explain in Japanese the circumstances under which you obtained your driver's license in China. The entire examination will be conducted in Japanese, so if you are unsure about how to respond in Japanese, it may be a good idea to have an interpreter accompany you. The interpreter may be asked to show identification. It is a good idea to have your driver's Driver's License, health insurance card, My Number card, passport, student ID, etc. ready.
④Aptitude test/knowledge verification (written test)/skill verification (practical test)
In the [aptitude examination], a visual acuity and hearing test will be conducted. Please note that the passing criteria differ depending on each license type.
The knowledge test (written test) will include questions on basic Japanese traffic laws.
The exam consists of 10 questions, and you will pass if you answer 7 or more questions correctly.
Here are some examples of knowledge check questions
Some driver's license centers allow you to take the test in Chinese, so please contact your local driver's license center.
Click here for information on Driver's License Centers nationwide
In the Skills Verification (Practical Exam), points are deducted from a total of 100 points. You pass the exam if you get 70 points or more. This exam does not test your driving technique, but checks whether you understand Japan's traffic rules and have mastered the key points of safe driving. However, because it is quite difficult, the pass rate is only about 30%.
Here are some points to check your skills
Finally
We have explained in detail how to convert your Chinese driver's Driver's License to a foreign driver's license. What do you think? If you have a Chinese driver's Driver's License, you can drive in Japan just by converting it to a foreign driver's license.
ZIPLUS issues the translations required for foreign driver's license conversion.
To apply for a Japanese translation, please click here
In addition, you can study in Chinese for the skills test, which has a pass rate of only about 30%. Study hard and aim to pass the foreign driver's license conversion test on the first try!
