Renewing your Japanese Driver's License

Table of Contents

Your Driver's license will need to be renewed every 2-3 years depending on the situation.

Renewal period

You have a two-month period to get your driver's license renewed (starting from two months prior to the license's expiry). This period is to be notified to you in a postcard sent to the address on your driver's license about two months before your birthday.

How to check your driver's license expiry

①=YEAR   ②=MONTH   ③=DAY

JP license example

How to renew your license

At least 4 week before the expiration of your license, you will receive "Renewal notification post card" from driver's license center.
 

DL post card 1

You will see when you will be able to renew your drivers license inside of the post card and the cost of your renewal.

DL post card front2

Also there are instructions backside.

On the backside of the slip, you can find a Time Schedule and the location where you can renew your license, etc...
 

Post card back

 

What to bring (MUST BE ORIGINAL)

  • Renewal notification postcard (If you did not receive this, please tell at the reception at the driver's license center)
  • Japanese driver's license
  • Residence card **If you changed your address, your address has to be updated
  • The renewal fee in CASH *Please check the fees below.
  • *A head-shot photo (you can take a photo at the license center for 600JPY)
    1. H3cm×W2.4cm
    2. The photo must not be older than 6 months old
    3. Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera
    4. The photo should show a close-up of your face and the top of the shoulders
    5. No background

Renewal fees

You can choose from the following options when renewing your driver’s license:
① renew the driver’s license only,
② renew it by linking your driver’s license with your My Number card, or
③ renew it by integrating your driver’s license into your My Number card.
The renewal fee varies depending on the option you choose.

Please note: If you choose option ③ and integrate your driver’s license into your My Number card, you will not be able to drive overseas or convert your license abroad.
 

Renewal fees

Other notes

  • There is no ATM or wifi at the license center and driving schools
  • Please arrive at the renewal location by one hour before the starting time
  • If you don't know what your license status is (usually, it is written on the notification postcard), please go to one of the renewal locations for the earliest renewal sessions