{"id":26847,"date":"2023-03-15T05:00:36","date_gmt":"2023-03-15T05:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/?p=26847"},"modified":"2025-12-05T17:09:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T08:09:07","slug":"japanese-driver-license","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/blog\/japanese-driver-license\/","title":{"rendered":"Steps to getting a driver\u2019s license in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Updated Nov 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Looking to step off trains and subways and explore the country a bit more personally? For those wanting to <\/span><b>drive in Japan<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, foreign residents can get behind the wheel straight away if they meet certain criteria.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019re wanting to drive in Japan, read on to learn more about how to get a <strong>Japanese driver\u2019s license.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Valid driving licenses in Japan<\/b> (updated 2025)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You can drive in Japan if you have one of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A valid International Driving Permit (IDP)<\/span>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A driver\u2019s license issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan<\/span>, accompanied by an official Japanese translation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A Japanese driver\u2019s license<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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 <strong>prior<\/strong> 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.<\/span> Your IDP is <strong>valid for up to one year<\/strong> after entering Japan, provided your stay is also less than one year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you have a driver\u2019s 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:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The issuing authority of the license, or the embassy or consulate of the issuing country in Japan;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Japan Automobile Federation&nbsp;<\/span>(JAF)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You must also have been in Japan for less than one year.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the next section we\u2019ll learn more about how to convert your existing foreign license in order to get a Japanese driver\u2019s license. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/drivers-license-english-724x1024.png\" alt=\"How to read a Japanese driver's license\" class=\"wp-image-201628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/drivers-license-english-724x1024.png 724w, https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/drivers-license-english-212x300.png 212w, https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/drivers-license-english-768x1086.png 768w, https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/drivers-license-english.png 794w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Converting to a Japanese driver\u2019s license<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You can change your current foreign driver\u2019s license (not an IDP) to a Japanese one by applying to the Driver\u2019s License Center of your area\u2019s prefectural police department.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are two requirements:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your foreign license must be valid and not expired;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You must be able to prove you stayed in the issuing country of your license for at least three months after receiving it.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Required documents<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are a number of documents required to transfer your foreign driver\u2019s license to a Japanese one:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An application form<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A portrait photograph of yourself<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Certificate of residence (\u4f4f\u6c11\u7968 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">j\u016bminhy\u014d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">)<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your National Health Insurance card<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/blog\/my-number-japan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">My Number card<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your residence card<\/span> (\u5728\u7559\u30ab\u30fc\u30c9 <em>zairy\u016b<\/em> card)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your foreign driver\u2019s license<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A Japanese translation of your driver\u2019s license<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Note (2025 update): Japan\u2019s National Police Agency (NPA) has tightened rules for conversions. Applicants must now <strong>provide proof of residence in Japan<\/strong> and may face stricter scrutiny during the verification process. Also, if you are a <strong>short-term visitor or tourist<\/strong>, you are no longer eligible to convert your license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Getting a Japanese translation<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Japanese translation of your license must be made by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF), or your foreign embassy.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You can apply for the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/english.jaf.or.jp\/driving-in-japan\/drive-in-japan\/about-dltas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">translation online here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, however, please note that you must be in Japan in order to access the website.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The translation costs 4000 yen and will take about two weeks.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is there an expiration date for the Japanese translation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the JAF website,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The translation is valid for as long as the original driver\u2019s license is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Translations of licenses issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan are valid for one year from the date of entry into Japan. Holders can drive in Japan with this translation for one year from the date of entry into Japan. (For holders leaving and re-entering Japan, the validity is one year after reentry.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, conditions differ for foreign residents who are registered in the Basic Resident Register leaving and re-entering Japan within three months. Please contact the Driver\u2019s License Center with jurisdiction in your area for details.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Applying for your Japanese license at the Driver\u2019s License Center<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">First thing to note: if you don\u2019t 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\u2019re studying<\/span> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Secondly, you may need to make an appointment first, so please double check that with your local center.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There will typically be an aptitude test, a knowledge test, and a driving skills test.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your license was issued in the following countries:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Australia<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Austria<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Belgium<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Canada<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Czech Republic<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Denmark<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Finland<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">France<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Germany<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Greece<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hungary<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Iceland<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ireland<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Italy<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Luxembourg<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Monaco<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Netherlands<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New Zealand<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Norway<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Poland<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Portugal<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Slovenia<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">South Korea<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Spain<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sweden<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Switzerland<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Taiwan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>United Kingdom<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">United State of America (States of Hawai&#8217;i, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, Ohio, Oregon, Colorado only)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><b>you will not need to take the knowledge or driving tests<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Those issued with a driver\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Important notes &amp; caveats:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These exemptions apply <strong>only if you meet all other eligibility criteria<\/strong> (valid license, proof of at least three months residence in the issuing country after the license was issued, valid visa\/residence status in Japan)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rules vary by prefecture<\/strong>: local driver\u2019s license centers may interpret or apply differently.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>New stricter rules take effect from 1 October 2025<\/strong>: short-term visitors\/ tourists are no longer eligible, documentation requirements are higher, tests are tougher.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"898\" height=\"491\" src=\"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GGN-Blog-Watermark-Rebrand-2025-11-05T121733.603.png\" alt=\"man driving small car in Japan\" class=\"wp-image-199436\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GGN-Blog-Watermark-Rebrand-2025-11-05T121733.603.png 898w, https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GGN-Blog-Watermark-Rebrand-2025-11-05T121733.603-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GGN-Blog-Watermark-Rebrand-2025-11-05T121733.603-768x420.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 898px) 100vw, 898px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>The tests<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The<\/span><b> aptitude test<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 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\u2019s license, etc.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>knowledge test<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> will involve answering ten questions about Japanese traffic law and safe driving practices. You need to get seven right in order to pass. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The test is available in the following languages:<br>Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, English, French, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Mandarin Chinese, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Turkish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.<br><em>(Note: Language availability may vary slightly depending on the prefecture, with some centers offering fewer language options.)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you pass the written test, you\u2019ll schedule your <strong>practical driving test<\/strong>. The next available appointment may be several <strong>weeks (sometimes months)<\/strong> away, depending on demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the driving test, the examiner will assess:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How safely and precisely you drive<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How well you follow road rules and course instructions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your awareness of surroundings (checking mirrors, signaling, stopping points, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s less about \u201creal-world\u201d driving style and more about <strong>perfectly following the test course\u2019s rules<\/strong>. It\u2019s common to fail on the first try \u2014 focus on precision and awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We recommend you take driving lessons from a local driving school to ensure the best chance of passing the test.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Fees and costs<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The application fee for converting a foreign driver\u2019s 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 <strong>\u00a52,500<\/strong> for an ordinary vehicle license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On top of the application fee, there may be <strong>issuance or processing fees<\/strong>, and if you need to take a written or driving test those may carry additional charges (often \u00a51,500\u2013\u00a53,000 for the test).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since fees vary by region and may change over time, be sure to <strong>check the website of your prefectural Driver\u2019s License Center for the current fees<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Enjoying your newfound freedom<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That\u2019s it! Once you get your Japanese license you\u2019ll 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.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b>For all information related to driving in Japan and driver\u2019s licenses in Japan, visit the <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/english.jaf.or.jp\/driving-in-japan\/drive-in-japan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>official website of the Japan Automobile Federation<\/b><\/a><b>.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about life in Japan, make sure to check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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\u2019re wanting to drive in Japan, read on to learn more about how to get [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":117,"featured_media":25509,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[402],"tags":[690,659,685],"class_list":["post-26847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to","tag-living-abroad","tag-paperwork","tag-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26847","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/117"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26847"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26847\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}