How to Convert Your Foreign Driver’s License in Japan 2026 (New 50-Question Test)

Last updated: June 2026 · 10 min read

Quick summary: As of October 1, 2025, converting a foreign driver’s license to a Japanese one (外免切替 — gaimen kirikae) became significantly harder. The written test expanded from 10 questions to 50, the pass rate fell from ~92% to as low as 17% at some centers, and stricter residency rules now exclude tourists and short-stay visitors. If you found an English guide that calls the test “easy” or “just 10 questions,” it describes a system that no longer exists. This guide covers the 2026 rules in full.

Table of Contents

1. What changed in October 2025
2. Is your country test-exempt?
3. Step 1: Gather your documents
4. Step 2: Get the JAF translation
5. Step 3: Book your appointment
6. Step 4: Study for the 50-question written test
7. Step 5: The practical driving test (if required)
8. Frequently Asked Questions
9. The Bottom Line

1. What changed in October 2025

Before October 1, 2025, converting a foreign driver’s license to a Japanese one was one of the more manageable bureaucratic tasks for foreign residents. The written test was 10 questions, covered basic traffic knowledge, and the pass rate hovered around 92.5%. Most people passed on their first attempt with minimal preparation.

On October 1, 2025, Japan’s National Police Agency (警察庁) implemented a sweeping revision to the 道路交通法施行規則 (Road Traffic Law Enforcement Regulations). The written test expanded from 10 questions to 50 True/False questions. The passing threshold remained at 90% — meaning you now need to answer at least 45 of 50 questions correctly. The pass rate at many license centers fell immediately to 17%–42%, depending on the center and applicant nationality group.

At the same time, eligibility rules were tightened. Tourists and visitors on short-stay entry stamps are no longer eligible. The 3-month post-license residency rule — which requires you to have spent at least 90 days in the country that issued your license, after the license was issued — is now strictly enforced, with a higher documentation burden than before.

The official policy changes are documented on the National Police Agency’s foreign license page. The full reform summary (in Japanese) is available as a PDF from npa.go.jp.

Any English-language guide published before late 2025 that describes the gaimen kirikae as an easy 10-question test is describing a system that no longer exists. The information is wrong and will get you turned away or failed.

2. Is your country test-exempt?

Not everyone has to take the written or practical tests. Japan has bilateral agreements with a number of countries allowing their license holders to convert through document verification and an eyesight check only — no written or practical test required. Check this list carefully before you do anything else.

Countries fully exempt from both written and practical tests

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 (as of June 2025), United Kingdom.

If your license is from one of these countries, you still need all the standard documents and a booked appointment — but you skip the written and practical tests entirely. The process is significantly less stressful and takes less time on the day.

United States — partial exemption by state

US license holders are test-exempt only if their license was issued by one of these specific states: Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, or Washington.

If your US license was issued by California, New York, Texas, Florida, or any other state not on that list, you must take the full 50-question written test — and may also need to take the practical test, depending on your prefecture. This surprises many American residents in Japan who assumed a US license would automatically be exempt. Check your state of issue before assuming anything.

All other countries — written and possibly practical test required

If your home country is not on the exempt list above, you will need to take the 50-question written test and may also be required to complete a practical driving test on a closed course. The specific practical test requirement varies by nationality and is confirmed at the prefectural level. When you book your appointment, the license center will tell you what applies to your specific passport.

3. Step 1: Gather your documents

Document errors are the most common reason for failed appointment attempts. If even one item is missing on the day, your appointment is voided at most license centers — and in Tokyo, that means waiting up to 2 months to rebook. Gather everything before your appointment date, not the night before.

Required for all applicants

• Current valid foreign driver’s license — original only, not a photocopy
• All expired foreign driver’s licenses — bring them if you have them; the inspector may ask for them to verify the history of your license
• JAF-certified Japanese translation of your license — see Step 2; this is not a standard translation service
• All current AND expired passports — needed to prove the 3-month post-license residency in the issuing country (see note below)
• Residence Card (在留カード) — your current valid card
• Juminhyo (住民票) — Certificate of Residence from your local ward or city office, issued within the last 6 months
• Passport-style photo — 3cm × 2.4cm, white or light-colored background, taken within 6 months
• Processing fee — approximately ¥2,000–¥5,000 depending on prefecture and license class; confirm the exact amount with your license center in advance

Understanding the 3-month residency requirement — the rule that catches people

This requirement is the most commonly misunderstood part of the gaimen kirikae process. You must prove that after your foreign license was issued, you remained in the issuing country for a cumulative total of at least 90 days — before you moved to Japan.

Example: You obtained a US license in June 2024 and moved to Japan in August 2024. You spent only 2 months in the US after getting the license. You do not qualify. You would need to document a return to the US totaling at least 30 more days — or wait until other documentation covers the gap.

Example: You obtained a UK license in January 2023 and moved to Japan in September 2023. You spent 8 months in the UK after getting the license. You qualify — and your passport entry/exit stamps should confirm it.

Your passports (with entry and exit stamps) are the primary evidence. If your home country no longer stamps passports (EU member states, UK travel within Schengen, etc.), contact your local license center in advance to ask what alternative documentation they accept. There is no single national standard for unstamped-passport cases.

4. Step 2: Get the JAF translation

The JAF translation (日本語訳) is a certified Japanese translation of your foreign driver’s license, produced exclusively by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF). This is not interchangeable with a notarized translation from any other agency — JAF translations are the only format accepted at Japanese license centers, no exceptions.

How to get your JAF translation

• By mail: Send your foreign license (or a clear copy, depending on your country’s requirements) to the JAF head office with the application form and ¥3,000. Processing takes approximately 7–10 business days. Your original license is returned along with the translation.
• In person at a JAF office: Same-day or next-day service is available at major JAF branches. Find your nearest office at jaf.or.jp.

Cost: ¥3,000 per license. If you hold multiple foreign licenses and need translations for more than one, each requires a separate fee and application.

Critical: If your license is from a country that uses non-Latin script — Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Hindi — the JAF translation is especially important. The license center does not accept any other translation service. Budget 2 weeks for this step if using the mail option, and order it before you book your appointment.

5. Step 3: Book your appointment

As of 2026, nearly all prefectural license centers require advance appointments for foreign license conversion. Walk-in attempts are generally refused. In Tokyo, appointment slots open approximately 2 months in advance and fill within days of each release.

How to book in Tokyo

Tokyo applicants book through the Metropolitan Police Department’s online reservation system. The two main license centers handling foreign license conversions are Koto License Center (江東運転免許試験場) and Fuchu License Center (府中運転免許試験場).

The booking portal is accessible from keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp — navigate to 運転免許 → 外国免許切替. The interface is in Japanese; use a browser translation tool. Alternatively, visit the license center in person to book, though the online system is faster.

Outside Tokyo

Book directly with your prefectural 免許センター (license center) or your nearest 警察署 (police station). The process varies by prefecture — some accept online bookings, others require a phone call. Contact your local center early; 4–8 week waits are not unusual in major urban areas like Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.

Strategy: Book your appointment before you’ve finished gathering all your documents — don’t wait until everything is ready. Document gathering takes 1–3 weeks; appointment waits take 4–8 weeks. Start both processes in parallel.

6. Step 4: Study for the 50-question written test

If your country requires the written test, take the preparation seriously. The pass rate at many centers has dropped below 30% since the October 2025 reform. This is no longer a formality that most people walk through unprepared.

What the test covers

The 50-question True/False exam covers 22 topics: speed limits (urban, rural, expressway), pedestrian right-of-way, overtaking and lane-changing rules, following distances, stopping distances at various speeds, expressway-specific rules, handling emergencies, night driving requirements, parking and stopping rules, railroad crossing behavior, and basic vehicle maintenance obligations (tires, lights, brakes, safety equipment).

The test is available in 21 languages including English, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Vietnamese, Filipino/Tagalog, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Thai, Indonesian, Nepali, and others. You’ll select your language at the center on the day of your appointment.

Where to practice

• Japan Drive Test — free English-language practice tests modeled on the actual exam format: japandrivetest.com
• JapanDL — 50-question practice sets updated for the October 2025 format: japandl.com
• Ziplus Road Ready — English explanations of frequently failed questions and rule summaries: ziplus.jp/road-ready/

Most first-time passers report spending 3–5 hours on practice tests before the exam. Don’t assume Japan’s traffic rules match your home country — many critical rules differ.

Key rules that differ from most Western countries

• Urban speed limit: 60 km/h by default on standard roads. Not 50, not 70 — 60. Lower limits are posted in residential zones and school areas.
• Pedestrian crossings: You must stop for pedestrians who are standing at a crossing waiting to cross — not only when they have already stepped into the road. This rule catches many foreign drivers.
• Left turns on red: Unlike the US right-on-red rule, left turns on red are not permitted in Japan unless a specific sign at the intersection explicitly allows it.
• Intersection priority: At unmarked intersections, vehicles coming from the right have priority. Japan drives on the left, so “right of way from the right” is the rule for unmarked junctions.
• Railroad crossings: You must stop completely before every railroad crossing and confirm it is clear — even if the barriers are up and no train is visible.

7. Step 5: The practical driving test (if required)

Some nationalities are required to complete a practical driving test on a closed course at the license center, in addition to the written test. Whether your nationality requires a practical test is confirmed when you book your appointment — the license center will tell you.

The practical test uses the license center’s own closed course (not public roads) and is evaluated by a Japanese driving instructor. The failure rate is high. Anecdotally, many applicants from test-required nationalities take 3–8 attempts before passing. Each attempt costs an additional fee of approximately ¥1,750–¥2,850 depending on prefecture, so budget accordingly.

What inspectors specifically look for

• Mirror and blind-spot checking: Before every lane change and turn, check your rearview mirror, side mirror, and physically look over your shoulder. Make the checks visible and deliberate — a subtle glance is not enough for an inspector watching closely.
• Speed management: Stay within posted course speed limits, but don’t drive too slowly either. Inspectors note both over-speed and excessive underconfidence.
• Complete stops: Come to a full, complete stop at every stop sign and before every railroad crossing on the course — even if no train is visible. A rolling stop is an automatic deduction.
• Traffic cones: The test course uses cones to mark boundaries and routes. Striking or displacing a cone is typically an immediate failure.
• Footwear: Wear enclosed shoes. Flip-flops and sandals may result in the inspector refusing to let you begin the test.

Many applicants find it helpful to hire a Japanese driving instructor for one or two practice sessions on the actual test course before the examination day. Some license centers allow this; ask when you book.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

My US license is from California. Do I have to take the test?

Yes. Only seven US states are test-exempt: Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington. California, New York, Texas, Florida, and all other states not on that list are required to take the full 50-question written test — and may need to take the practical test as well depending on your prefecture. Confirm with your local license center.

I moved to Japan 6 months after getting my license. Do I meet the 3-month requirement?

Yes — 6 months is more than the required 90 days. Make sure you have documentation proving those 6 months of residency in your home country after your license was issued. Passport entry/exit stamps are the standard proof. If your country doesn’t stamp passports, contact the license center in advance to ask what alternative documentation they accept.

My passport has no entry/exit stamps because I traveled within the EU/Schengen. What do I do?

This situation is increasingly common. There is no single national standard for handling it. Contact your specific license center well in advance (by phone or in person) and explain the situation. Centers have accepted alternatives including: bank statements showing transactions in the issuing country, employment records, a letter from a former employer, or a letter from the issuing country’s embassy or consulate confirming your residence during the relevant period. Ask specifically what they require — don’t arrive on the day without clarification.

Can I drive in Japan on my foreign license while I wait for conversion?

Yes, temporarily. You can drive in Japan on a foreign license plus an International Driving Permit (IDP) for up to 1 year from your date of entry into Japan, or until your current period of stay ends — whichever comes first. After 1 year as a resident, you need a Japanese license to drive legally. Note: the IDP must be issued in your home country before you came to Japan. You cannot obtain an IDP in Japan.

What visa types are eligible for license conversion?

Any visa that allows you to register your residence in Japan (i.e., obtain a Juminhyo) makes you eligible. This includes engineer/specialist in humanities, highly skilled professional, working holiday, student visa with housing registration, and spouse of Japanese national visas, among others. Tourist visa (90-day stamp entry) does not allow Juminhyo registration and is not eligible. If you have questions about your specific visa type and residency status, WeXpats provides consultations with Japanese immigration specialists who can advise on these questions.

My appointment was void because I had the wrong document. What now?

In most cases you’ll need to rebook — which in Tokyo means a 6–8 week wait for the next available slot. This is painful and entirely avoidable. Use the full document checklist in Step 1 of this guide before your first attempt, and confirm your specific document requirements with the license center when you book. One phone call in advance saves months of waiting.

The Bottom Line

The October 2025 reforms have made foreign license conversion meaningfully harder for most nationalities. If you found this guide after failing the written test or being turned away at a license center, you’re not alone — the English-language information had not caught up with the new rules, and many people walked into their appointment expecting a 10-question formality.

The process is still very doable — but it now requires real preparation. Study the practice tests seriously (plan 3–5 hours minimum for the written test). Have every document in hand before your appointment, including the JAF translation which takes up to 10 days by mail. Book your appointment early, because waits of 6–8 weeks are normal in major cities. And verify in advance whether your nationality also requires the practical test.

If your country is on the test-exempt list, the process is significantly simpler: gather documents, get the JAF translation, book, attend, and receive your license. Allow 6–10 weeks total when you factor in JAF translation time and appointment wait times.

What to Read Next

• My Number Card & Resident Registration — how to get the Juminhyo (住民票) you’ll need as part of the license conversion documents
• Suica Card Guide for Foreigners in Japan 2026 — the IC card that handles trains, buses, and daily payments while your driving situation is sorted out
• National Health Insurance in Japan — another essential registration step for residents that’s often completed around the same time
• Working Holiday Japan 2026 — if you’re on a WHV, the full setup guide for your first months in Japan

Last updated: June 2026. Foreign license conversion rules are set at the national level by the National Police Agency (警察庁) but administered by individual prefectural license centers. Requirements for specific nationalities — including practical test requirements — can vary by prefecture. Always confirm current requirements with your local license center before your appointment. Official source: npa.go.jp — foreign license conversion page.

Converted your license in 2025 or 2026? Leave a comment with your nationality, prefecture, and experience — it helps other readers know what to expect at their center.