Driver's license conversion

Table of Contents

Basic Steps for Driver's License Conversion

Step 1: Contact the Resource Center

  • Submit this request form to request to book an appointment at the Driver's License Center
    (if you cannot open the above link, use this link instead)

Step 2: Collect the required documents

Step 3: Go to the document screening appointment at the Driver's License Center

  • If your driver's license was issued in one of the following countries, regions, or state, you will get a Japanese license on the same day.
    **Indiana license holders are only exempt from the driving exam(i.e. need to take the written exam)
    Iceland Ireland United Kingdom Austria Australia The Netherlands Canada Greece Switzerland
    Sweden Spain Czech Republic Denmark Germany New Zealand Norway Finland France
    Belgium Portugal Luxembourg Slovenia Monaco South Korea Taiwan Maryland State (US)) Washington State (US)
    Hawaii State (US) Virginia State (US) Ohio State (US) Indiana State** (US) Oregon State (US) Colorado State (US) Poland Hungary  
  • If your license was NOT issued in any of the above, book a next appointment for the following step.

Step 4: Take the written test

  • If you pass the exam, book a next appointment for the following step.
  • If you fail the exam, book a next appointment to re-take the exam.

Step 5: Take the practical test

  • If you pass the exam, a Japanese license will be issued on the same day.
  • If you fail the exam, book a next appointment to re-take the exam.

Required Documents:

  1. Valid Overseas Driver's license
    ✓ It may not be converted if the validity period is less than 30 days.
    ✓ If it does not contain the first acquisition date, you may need to provide an official document, such as a driving record, that indicates the first acquisition date.

  2. Official Japanese Translation of the Overseas License
    ✓ This can be done by Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) or a consulate of the license-issuing country/region.
    ✓ JAF Translation Application page

  3. Passport
    ✓ Passports are used to confirm your physical presence in the license-issuing country for more than 90 days along with the documents you will present. Thus, the passports must cover the period mentioned on the documents you will present.

  4. Resident Certificate (with Nationality)
    ✓ Residence certificate issued within 6 months prior to submission
    ✓ Your nationality MUST be mentioned
    ✓ Your resident status MUST be mentioned
    ✓ Your personal number MUST NOT be printed
    ✓ Click here to see how to get the certificate from a municipal office

  5. Resident Card

  6. Documents to Prove 90 days+ Stay in the License-Issuing Country
    ✓ You need to provide them with at least 2 documents to prove that you stayed in the license-issuing country for more than 90 days after acquisition - This can be challenging as the Driver's License Center is particular about these documents.
    ✓ Examples of the documents:
    ✓     Please visit Resource Center to inquire the License Center about the sufficient documents.

  7. Two Head-Shot Photos
    ✓ Must be the ones taken within the last 6 months
    ✓ Size: H3cm×W2.4cm
    ✓ These photos can be done at the Driver's license Center for 600JPY

  8. International Driving Permit (if any)

  9. Other Documents Depending in the Country/Region

    Australia:
    (if the license doesn’t show the original issue date)Driving License Acquisition Certificate
    to show the original issue date of the license

    New Zealand:
    (if the license was issued before January 2006 and doesn’t state the original issue date)Certificate of Particulars to show the original issue date of the license - this can be obtained through the New Zealand Transport Agency

    Philippines:

    Thailand:
    Driving Record Certificate - showing all the renewal records since the first acquisition date
    *If renewal records are not available on the driving record certificate, they can be issued on a separate sheet
    **Make sure the renewal records state the RENEWAL DATES

    South Korea:

    China:

    • Driving Record (机动车驾驶证(电子版))obtained from 交菅12123 app（If you have renewed your license and you want to prove your physical stay in the country during the previous license validity period)
    • Chinese ID card(居民身分証)
    • Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to/from Hong Kong and Macau
    • Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to/from Taiwan

    Former U.S. military personnel, civilian personnel, and their family:

    Nepal:
    Official Certificate(regarding the driver's license) from Embassy or a learner's certificate from a local Driving School

    UK:
    A code to share your license information obtained from GOV.UK
    *It is advised that you get this issued a few days before your appointment for document screening as this code is only valid for 21 days. Print out the page.

    Argentina:
    If your license is a "National driving license", make sure you do either of the following BEFORE COMING TO JAPAN

    Malaysia:
    (If you have renewed your license at some point, and want to prove your 90 days stay within the country before the renewal)
    A driving record from the license-issuing authority stating the license has been valid since its first issuance date
    [IMPORTANT] If there are several vehicle classes on your license, make sure to ask them to indicate the issuance date for each class

    Indonesia:
    (If the format of your license is a new format) An acquisition certificate which states the first issuance date

    Mexico:
    Acquisition certificate of the driver's license issued by the license-issuing authority
    *get this BEFORE coming to Japan

    Qatar:
    Acquisition certificate of the driver's license issued by the license-issuing authority
    *get this BEFORE coming to Japan

    India:
    Acquisition certificate of the driver's license issued by the license-issuing authority
    *get this BEFORE coming to Japan

    Click here to download a printable check list

Driver's License Conversion Fees

  1. Conversion Application Fee: 2,500JPY (Applicable to all)*1

  2. License Issuance Fee: 2,350JPY (Applicable to all)

  3. Practical Exam Fee: 1,750JPY (Applicable to those who need to take the exam)*2

*1 This fee must be paid every time one fails the written OR practical exam
*2 This fee must be paid every time one fails the practical exam

How to Get to the Driver's License Center

  • Public buses:
    Approx. 4,000JPY/round trip
    Travel time approx. 5hours/round trip (excluding the time at the License Center)
    Route information (from OIST)
     
  • Taxi:
    Approx. 25,000JPY - 30,000JPY/round trip
    Travel time approx. 2 hours/round trip (excluding the time at the License Center)

Our Own Shuttle Service to/from the Driver's License Center

Resource Center operates a shuttle between OIST and the Driver's license Center twice a week with a professional driver and an interpreter. The interpreter will assist you with translation at the Driver's License Center.

The service details are as follows:

Shuttle Schedule:

  • Wednesdays:
    Leaving OIST at 9:00am and coming back around 4:00pm
  • Fridays:
    Leaving OIST AEON at 7:20am and coming back around 1:00pm

Meeting point:

In front of OIST AEON
* Please note the shuttle will not stop by any bus stops along the way for safety and time-efficiency reasons.
** If you need to arrange a taxi to come to OIST to get the shuttle, contact the Resource Center.

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