How to Get a Driver’s License in Japan, Even if You Don’t Speak Japanese

After moving to Japan, depending on the area you live in, cars and motorcycles may still be essential in order to go about your daily life. Here we will explain how you can use your current driver’s license from your home country to be able to drive a car or motorcycle in Japan.

How foreigners can exchange their home country’s driver’s license for a Japanese one

If you are planning to stay in Japan for more than a year, you can rewrite your home country’s license to a Japanese license so that you can drive in Japan. Many countries’ driver’s licenses can be easily rewritten, as long as you meet a few requirements.

＞Explanation in English by the Metropolitan Police Department

What are the requirements?

If you have the following qualifications, it is not difficult to apply for a Japanese driver’s license.

• ・You hold a valid foreign driver’s license.
• ・You have a license from a member country of the Geneva Conventions on Traffic (see below for an explanation of what to do if you’re not from a member country).
• ・You have been living in the country where you obtained the license for more than 3 months.
• ・You have a registered place of residence in Japan. 
• ・You have a valid visa.

Now, let’s take a look at the specifics of actually rewriting your driver’s license

Flow of rewriting a foreign driver’s license to a Japanese one

Flow from ① to ⑥

① Obtain a Japanese translation of your driver’s license

② Submit the application form and other documents to the Examination Center.

③ Aptitude test (vision and hearing test, etc.)

④ Knowledge Verification

⑤ Skills test

⑥ Issuance of your new Japanese driver’s license

The first step is to obtain the Japanese translation (which we will explain later), and after obtaining it, your application will be accepted at the examination center.

Following that, the biggest question is whether or not you need to take the test. This depends on whether or not the country where you obtained your license is a member of the Geneva Convention on Traffic.

For foreigners whose home countries are members of the Geneva Traffic Conventions

When you rewrite your driver’s license, you will be exempted from ③ Knowledge Verification and ④ Skills test, and you will only need to take ② Aptitude test (vision test, etc.). If there are no problems, you can switch immediately.

Foreigners from non-member countries of the Geneva Conventions on Transport

The driver’s license will only be rewritten if you pass the Knowledge, Skills, and Aptitude tests.

The Skills test is by appointment only, and cannot be taken on the same day as your application.  At some test centers, the driving test is provided in a foreign language (English, Chinese, Portuguese, etc.).

You should inquire in advance with the testing center about when you can make an appointment for the Skills Test and what language it will be conducted in.

Where you can rewrite your driver’s license and the procedure

The following is a list of places where foreigners can change their driver’s license, and the documents and fees required.

In Tokyo, there are three places where you can apply for a new license.

• ・Fuchu Driver’s License Examination Center (Fuchu City)> (Japanese)
• ・Samezu Driver’s License Examination Center (Shinagawa Ward) > (Japanese)
• ・Koto Driver’s License Examination Center (Koto-ku, Tokyo) > (Japanese) → Geneva Traffic Convention member countries only

Fuchu Driver’s License Examination Center | Phone number for English: 042-334-6000

Samezu Driver’s License Examination Center | Phone number for English: 03-5463-6000

Applications are accepted from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays (Monday through Friday), but are not accepted between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. You may have to wait when it gets crowded, so make sure to allow plenty of time.

What you need to rewrite your driver’s license

You will need the following items to rewrite your driver’s license.

• ・A valid driver’s license (from your home country)
• ・A certificate of residence (Juminhyo) that shows your address and nationality 
• ・A passport or other document showing your status of residence
• ・Proof that you have been in the country where your license was issued for at least 3 months after obtaining the license (This could be your passport) 
• ・Application form (available at the testing center)
• ・Certificate photo (3 x 2.4 cm)
• ・Japanese translation of your driver’s license

You can apply for a Japanese translation of your foreign driver’s license at any JAF branch in Japan, either at the counter or by mail.

> About JAF Japanese translation (with explanations in many languages)

>About JAF Japanese translation(English)

It will take some time to obtain a Japanese translation, so be sure to apply well in advance. There may be additional documents required depending on the country where the license was obtained.

About fees

The following are the fees required to rewrite foreign driver’s license.

(Fees at the testing center)

Application fee

・Regular car: 2,500 yen

・Motorscooter: 1,500 yen

・Large, medium, and semi-medium-sized vehicles: 4,100 yen

・Others: 2,600 yen

Fees to be paid after acquisition

・Issuance fee: 2,050 yen

・Other: 200 yen

(JAF)

Japanese translation: 3,000 yen

If there are any other documents required by your country, they will be charged separately.

Other ways for foreigners to drive in Japan

In addition to rewriting your driver’s license, there are other methods for you to be able to driving in Japan. For some countries, you can use your driver’s license without changing it, or you can obtain an International Driver’s License (IDP) for short-term stays.

For certain countries, it is possible to only need to obtain a Japanese translation

Foreigners with a driver’s license from Estonia, Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan are eligible.

For this case, as long as you carry an official Japanese translation of your driver’s license – which can be obtained from JAF or other accredited organizations – you can drive in Japan with your current license.

Obtaining an International Driver’s License (IDP)

Foreigners who plan to stay in Japan for a short period of time (less than one year) have the option of obtaining an International Driver’s License (IDP). This is available for countries that are members of the Geneva Convention on Traffic. However, you must complete the necessary procedures in your home country before coming to Japan in order to use it as a valid driver’s license in Japan. 

Obtaining a Driver’s License in Japan

If you don’t have a driver’s license from your home country, you can get one in Japan by attending a driving school and taking an exam, although it will take some time and money.

There are some driving schools in Tokyo and its suburbs that offer multi-lingual services. Hence, the language barrier should not be a problem for foreigners to obtain a new driver’s license in Japan. 

It is not difficult for a foreigner with a license to drive in Japan

If you ever drive a car or motorcycle in Japan before you meet the legal requirements, you will be considered “driving without a license” under Japanese law.  That’s why following the correct procedures is crucial when staying in Japan. 

The procedure itself is quite straightforward and if you’re from an eligible country, the process would be even easier.

As we have stated, there are different options depending on whether your stay in Japan is long-term or short-term (less than a year). Make sure to know which one you need in advance, particularly if you want to get the International Driver’s License (IDP).

It is definitely true that having a Japanese driver’s license will bring many benefits even if you’re not living in a rural area. I hope this article has helped you to see that it is not difficult to obtain a Japanese driver’s license, especially if you already have one from your home country.