Do you know that you can convert your overseas driving license to a Japan one?
Allow me to explain the necessary procedures!
Document screening → Aptitude test → Theory assessment → Practical assessment → receive converted license
1. Eligibility criteria
・Possess an overseas driving license
・ Resided in the issuing country for more than 3 months after receiving your license
・Currently residing in the same prefecture as the application center
2. Getting your documents ready
・Overseas driving license + a copy (double-sided)
・Japanese translation of overseas driving license
＊You can get your driving license translated at the Japan Automobile Federation (tel: 072-645-1300) or at the embassy of the issuing country in Japan.
＊＊Self-translated or translations by parties other than the above mentioned will not be accepted
・Your passport + a copy (everything except blank pages)
＊As proof of your period of stay in the issuing country, you will also need to present your old passport if you renewed your passport
＊＊You may need to present other documents of proof if there is no indication (e.g. stamp) of the period of stay in your passport
・Certificate of Residence from your City/Ward office (with information like your Nationality stated)
・1 passport photo (check the police homepage of your prefecture for the requirements)
・a black or blue ink ballpen
・Other documents (check the police homepage of your prefecture for any other documents you will need)
3. Head down to the application center
This will be the Driver's License Examination Center for the city/ward that you live in.
You cannot go to centers that are not under the jurisdiction of your city/ward
Do check the opening hours for application beforehand!
4. Assessments
・Aptitude test (適性試験 tekisei shiken): vision, hearing and physical fitness
・Theoretical Assessment (知識の確認 chishiki no kakunin): 10 questions. A pass requires 7 correct attempts
・Practical Assessment (技能の確認 ginou no kakunin): Circuit course at the driver's license examination center. 70 points out of a maximum of 100 points are needed to pass (point deduction system). Attentiveness, rather than driving skills, are being assessed here.
＊Applicants must sit for the practical assessment within 6 months of passing the theoretical one.
＊＊It will take at least 2 days to complete the whole application process
※Countries exempted from assessment：Iceland, Ireland, United States of America (states of Maryland and Washington only), United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Austria, The Netherlands, Canada, Korea, Greece, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Slovenia, Czech, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Hungary, Finland, France, Belgium, Portugal, Monaco, Luxembourg, Taiwan
5. Receive your converted driving license
Do share this information with your friends!
Allow me to explain the necessary procedures!
Document screening → Aptitude test → Theory assessment → Practical assessment → receive converted license
1. Eligibility criteria
・Possess an overseas driving license
・ Resided in the issuing country for more than 3 months after receiving your license
・Currently residing in the same prefecture as the application center
2. Getting your documents ready
・Overseas driving license + a copy (double-sided)
・Japanese translation of overseas driving license
＊You can get your driving license translated at the Japan Automobile Federation (tel: 072-645-1300) or at the embassy of the issuing country in Japan.
＊＊Self-translated or translations by parties other than the above mentioned will not be accepted
・Your passport + a copy (everything except blank pages)
＊As proof of your period of stay in the issuing country, you will also need to present your old passport if you renewed your passport
＊＊You may need to present other documents of proof if there is no indication (e.g. stamp) of the period of stay in your passport
・Certificate of Residence from your City/Ward office (with information like your Nationality stated)
・1 passport photo (check the police homepage of your prefecture for the requirements)
・a black or blue ink ballpen
・Other documents (check the police homepage of your prefecture for any other documents you will need)
3. Head down to the application center
This will be the Driver's License Examination Center for the city/ward that you live in.
You cannot go to centers that are not under the jurisdiction of your city/ward
Do check the opening hours for application beforehand!
4. Assessments
・Aptitude test (適性試験 tekisei shiken): vision, hearing and physical fitness
・Theoretical Assessment (知識の確認 chishiki no kakunin): 10 questions. A pass requires 7 correct attempts
・Practical Assessment (技能の確認 ginou no kakunin): Circuit course at the driver's license examination center. 70 points out of a maximum of 100 points are needed to pass (point deduction system). Attentiveness, rather than driving skills, are being assessed here.
＊Applicants must sit for the practical assessment within 6 months of passing the theoretical one.
＊＊It will take at least 2 days to complete the whole application process
※Countries exempted from assessment：Iceland, Ireland, United States of America (states of Maryland and Washington only), United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Austria, The Netherlands, Canada, Korea, Greece, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Slovenia, Czech, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Hungary, Finland, France, Belgium, Portugal, Monaco, Luxembourg, Taiwan
5. Receive your converted driving license
Do share this information with your friends!
