Converting a Foreign Driver's License in Japan: Process and Preparation

Learn how gaimen kirikae, the conversion of a foreign license to a Japanese one, generally works, what to prepare, and which official pages to check first.

Published October 20, 2026 at 1:46 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Gaimen kirikae is the process of converting a valid foreign driver's license into a Japanese license at a prefectural license center. Applicants generally need proof of at least three months of residence in the issuing country after getting the license, a Japanese translation, identity documents, an eyesight test, and possibly knowledge and skills tests, depending on the country.

What gaimen kirikae means

Gaimen kirikae (literally "switching the license face") is the common name for converting a driver's license issued abroad into a Japanese one. It is an abbreviated process compared with taking the full set of driving school lessons and tests that most people in Japan complete. It is usually described as an abbreviated examination that includes an eyesight test and, depending on the country that issued the license, may also include a short written exam and a practical exam.

Licenses in Japan are issued by prefectural public safety commissions, with national oversight by the National Police Agency, so the details are handled at a driver's license center run by the prefectural police. Each prefecture publishes its own pages, and procedures can differ in small ways from one center to another.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Japanese-language page on foreign license conversion is a useful model for what to expect, and it is the main source used for the Tokyo details in this guide; the department also publishes English information for residents. Residents of other prefectures should check the equivalent page for their own area, because documents, booking systems and exemptions are set locally. The process matters mainly for residents who plan to drive for longer than the period during which a foreign license plus a Japanese translation is accepted. The Japan Automobile Federation, which issues the translations, says driving with a foreign license and a translation is allowed for one year from the date of entry to Japan, so planning ahead is sensible.

Who can apply

For Tokyo, the police department page lists several conditions. The applicant must be old enough for the class of vehicle, with 17 years and 6 months given for an ordinary car and lower or higher ages for motorcycles and larger vehicles. The applicant must live in Tokyo, and must have spent a total of at least three months in the country that issued the license after getting it.

The foreign license must be valid. The Japan Automobile Federation says expired licenses cannot be transferred, and that an International Driving Permit by itself cannot be used to switch. Proof of the three-month stay is usually shown with passport entry and exit stamps or similar records, so keep the passport that covers the period.

Vision standards apply and generally differ by license class, with stricter requirements usually applying to medium and large vehicle licenses. Applicants with a previous Japanese license history, such as a revoked license, may face extra conditions, so read the official page for details.

Documents to prepare

The Tokyo page says to bring original documents only, because copies are not accepted. The list depends on the applicant's country and situation, and the page splits it into a common list and a country-specific list. Requirements are revised from time to time, which is a good reminder to check the current version before booking.

Residents registered under the resident registry system are asked for a residence certificate showing the required details. Those who are not registered need alternative documents, such as an identity certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an approved government-issued identity document, plus proof of address and a passport. The Japan Automobile Federation lists the application form, photograph, the foreign license, its Japanese translation, a residence record or passport, and an identity card such as a residence card or My Number card.

The foreign license itself must be brought along with the translation. Bring any other documents the country-specific list names. A short checklist at home, matched against the official page, avoids the frustration of a wasted trip.

The Japanese translation

Because the license center works in Japanese, the foreign license needs an official Japanese translation. The Japan Automobile Federation issues these translations at branches nationwide, and its English page says applications are accepted online only, not at the counter or by mail. The Tokyo page also links to other translation services but notes they are not official.

Processing times quoted by the federation are about two to three business days for licenses from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan, and about five to ten business days for other countries or regions. These times can change, so request the translation well before the planned appointment.

The federation also notes that receiving a translation does not guarantee that the conversion will succeed. The translation is only one document in the application, and the license center makes the final decision. Keeping the translation receipt and a copy of the application details is a sensible habit while waiting.

Tests and exemptions

The conversion process may include a knowledge test and a skills test, unless the license comes from an exempt country or region. The knowledge test is generally offered in a limited set of languages, and applicants who do not speak Japanese may be asked to bring an interpreter, so ask the center in advance. The skills test is typically booked separately, so check the official page for how and when it can be scheduled.

The Tokyo page lists 29 countries and regions whose licenses are exempt from both tests, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea and Taiwan, along with most of the European countries listed on the page. For the United States, only certain states were included on the page when it was consulted: Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland and Washington, plus a skills-test waiver for Indiana. Because lists change, confirm the current version.

Applicants from countries without an exemption should read the center's guidance on the skills test early, because it follows Japanese driving conventions such as driving on the left. The official pages are the place to learn what the test involves and how to book it.

Booking, centers and fees

Reservations for Tokyo are made through the police department's online procedure system for most applicants, and by phone for a few groups such as diplomats and their families, and people on a specified skilled worker status. Have the documents ready before booking. Cancellations are made by calling the center where the appointment was booked.

The Tokyo page names the Fuchu and Samezu centers as accepting all foreign licenses, and the Koto center as accepting only licenses from the exempt countries and regions. Hours listed are weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., excluding 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with closures on weekends, holidays and from December 29 to January 3. Check the page again before going.

Fees listed for an ordinary license are an application fee of 2,500 yen and an issuance fee of 2,350 yen, with other amounts for motorcycles and larger vehicles. Fees can change, so treat these as the figures shown on the official page at the time of reading.

After conversion and common questions

After a successful conversion, the Japanese license becomes the license used for driving in Japan. Residents can then follow the usual renewal procedures, which the Immigration Services Agency's daily-life guide covers in its chapter on traffic. Driving rules, penalty points and insurance are separate topics that deserve their own reading.

Anyone who still holds a foreign license with a translation should keep the passport handy, since the Japan Automobile Federation notes that police may ask to check how many days have passed since entry. It also notes that only International Driving Permits issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention are valid in Japan, not those issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention.

This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act. Contact the license center in the prefecture of residence for requirements that fit a specific license and situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to take a driving test to convert my foreign license in Japan?

It depends on the country or region that issued the license. Holders from exempt places skip both knowledge and skills tests, while others take them. An eyesight test is generally part of the process. Check the prefectural police page for the current exemption list and for how to book.

How long does the Japanese translation take?

The Japan Automobile Federation lists about two to three business days for licenses from a few countries and regions, and about five to ten business days for others. Applications are made online only. Start early, because the license center needs the translation at the appointment.

Can I use an International Driving Permit to convert my license?

No. The Japan Automobile Federation says an International Driving Permit alone cannot be used to switch to a Japanese license, and expired foreign licenses cannot be transferred. The permit is a separate document that allows driving for a limited period, so conversion starts from the valid foreign license.

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