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Updated Nov 2025
Looking to step off trains and subways and explore the country a bit more personally? For those wanting to drive in Japan, foreign residents can get behind the wheel straight away if they meet certain criteria.
If you’re wanting to drive in Japan, read on to learn more about how to get a Japanese driver’s license.
Valid driving licenses in Japan (updated 2025)
You can drive in Japan if you have one of the following:
- A valid International Driving Permit (IDP);
- A driver’s license issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan, accompanied by an official Japanese translation;
- A Japanese driver’s license
Having a valid IDP allows you to drive a car in Japan in accordance with Japanese laws. You will need to apply for and receive your IDP in your own country prior to arriving in Japan. Each country will have its own process to obtaining an IDP, so be sure to check with your local land transport authority. Your IDP is valid for up to one year after entering Japan, provided your stay is also less than one year.
If you have a driver’s license from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan, you can drive in Japan as long as you also carry a Japanese translation prepared by one of the following entities:
- The issuing authority of the license, or the embassy or consulate of the issuing country in Japan;
- The Japan Automobile Federation (JAF)
You must also have been in Japan for less than one year.
In the next section we’ll learn more about how to convert your existing foreign license in order to get a Japanese driver’s license.
Converting to a Japanese driver’s license
You can change your current foreign driver’s license (not an IDP) to a Japanese one by applying to the Driver’s License Center of your area’s prefectural police department.
There are two requirements:
- Your foreign license must be valid and not expired;
- You must be able to prove you stayed in the issuing country of your license for at least three months after receiving it.
Required documents
There are a number of documents required to transfer your foreign driver’s license to a Japanese one:
- An application form
- A portrait photograph of yourself
- Certificate of residence (住民票 jūminhyō)
- Your National Health Insurance card
- Your My Number card
- Your residence card
- Your foreign driver’s license
- A Japanese translation of your driver’s license
- Evidence that you have stayed in the country that issued your license for at least three months e.g. your passport with entry and exit date stamps
Note (2025 update): Japan’s NPA has tightened rules for conversions. Applicants must now provide proof of residence in Japan and may face stricter scrutiny during the verification process. Also, if you are a short-term visitor or tourist, you are no longer eligible to convert your license.
Getting a Japanese translation
The Japanese translation of your license must be made by the Japan Automobile Federation, or your foreign embassy.
You can apply for the translation online here, however note that you must be in Japan in order to access the website.
The translation costs 4000 yen and will take about two weeks.
If you can’t apply online for any reason, you can apply by post. Visit this page for information on how to do that.
Applying for your Japanese license at the Driver’s License Center
First thing to note: if you don’t have good Japanese language skills you should bring someone with you who can speak fluent Japanese. Your school should be able to help you out with this if you’re studying!
Secondly, you may need to make an appointment first, so please double check that with your local center.
There will typically be an aptitude test, a knowledge test, and a driving skills test.
If your license was issued in the following countries:
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Canada
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
- United State of America (States of Hawai’i, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, Ohio, Oregon, Colorado only)
you will not need to take the knowledge or driving tests.
Those issued with a driver’s license from the state of Indiana in the United States will not need to take a driving test, but will need to complete the knowledge test.
Important notes & caveats:
- These exemptions apply only if you meet all other eligibility criteria (valid license, proof of at least three months residence in the issuing country after the license was issued, valid visa/residence status in Japan)
- Rules vary by prefecture: local driver’s license centers may interpret or apply differently.
- New stricter rules take effect from 1 October 2025: short-term visitors/ tourists are no longer eligible, documentation requirements are higher, tests are tougher.
The tests
The aptitude test will involve testing your vision, color vision, hearing, and motor skills. You may also be asked some questions in Japanese about your driving experience, how you obtained your driver’s license, etc.
The knowledge test will involve answering ten questions about Japanese traffic law and safe driving practices. You need to get seven right in order to pass.
The test is available in the following languages:
Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, English, French, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Mandarin Chinese, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Turkish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
(Note: Language availability may vary slightly depending on the prefecture, with some centers offering fewer language options.)
Once you pass the written test, you’ll schedule your practical driving test. The next available appointment may be several weeks (sometimes months) away, depending on demand.
During the driving test, the examiner will assess:
- How safely and precisely you drive
- How well you follow road rules and course instructions
- Your awareness of surroundings (checking mirrors, signaling, stopping points, etc.)
It’s less about “real-world” driving style and more about perfectly following the test course’s rules. It’s common to fail on the first try — focus on precision and awareness.
We recommend you take driving lessons from a local driving school to ensure the best chance of passing the test.
Fees and costs
The application fee for converting a foreign driver’s license to a Japanese one depends on the type of vehicle class (ordinary, medium/large, motorcycle, etc.) and varies by prefecture. For example, some sources list about ¥2,500 for an ordinary vehicle license.
On top of the application fee, there may be issuance or processing fees, and if you need to take a written or driving test those may carry additional charges (often ¥1,500–¥3,000 for the test).
Since fees vary by region and may change over time, be sure to check the website of your prefectural Driver’s License Center for the current fees.
Enjoying your newfound freedom
That’s it! Once you get your Japanese license you’ll feel like a whole new world has opened up to you. Explore the smaller towns you may never have visited without a car, and always remember to be a courteous, thoughtful, and kind driver.
For all information related to driving in Japan and driver’s licenses in Japan, visit the official website of the Japan Automobile Federation.
To learn more about life in Japan, make sure to check out our blog.
