No IDP, No Translation Holders

Before the conversion
Steps You have to take
Required documents
Driver's license center tour
Conversion Fee
Useful link

You Answered

  1. Are you registered as a resident of Japan? - YES
  2. Do you have a valid non-Japanese driver's license? - YES
  3. Can you provide official document(s) to prove that you physically stayed in the license-issuing country for more than 90 days after obtaining your license? - YES
  4. Do you have an International Driving Permit based on the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic? - NO
  5. Was your driver's license issued in one of "Designated Countries, Region, and States" listed below? - NO

Before the conversion

  • You can start the process at the driver's license center right away.

  • Please come to the resource center to make an appointment.

Steps you have to take

Step 1: Visit the Resource Center

  • Check with resource center staff to see what kind of document you will need to prepare
  • Make a reservation at the driver's license center

Step 2: Start colleting required documents

  • Please refer here for the required documents

Step 3: Document screening at the Driver's License Center

  • Document Screening at the driver's license center

Step 4: Take written test

  • Once your application is accepted, you can make a reservation for written test

Step 5: Take practical test

  • Once you pass the written test, you can make a reservation for practical test. You will have to re-take the test if you fail

Step 6: Once you pass the practical test, you will receive a driver's license

Required Documents

*Please click on the items to see detailed information

1. The conversion might be refused if the validity period of the license is less than 30 days.
2. If the first acquisition date is not indicated on the license, official document(s) that states the first acquisition date will be required.

The traslation can be done either by JAF(Japan Automobile Federation) or a consulate of the license-issuing country

*Click here to see how to get the translation from JAF

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.

Residence certificate issued within 1 year prior to submission (if the one you already have was issued more than a year ago, you need to get a new one)

Your personal number MUST NOT be printed

Click here to see how to get the certificate from a municipal office

You have to bring your resident card as well as a resident certificate

This can be challenging as the Driver's License Center is particular about these documents.

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.

Examples of the documents:

Please visit Resource Center to inquire the License Center about the sufficient documents.

The photos must be the ones taken within 6 months prior to submission

- Size of the photos: H3cm×W2.4cm

You can have the photos taken at the Driver's Licence Center (600JPY)

UK:

Please bring this even if it is already expired

Click here to download a printable check list

Driver's License Center tour

Resource Center staff drives you to the Driver's License Center every Wednesday and Friday and provides translation service there

Days

Wednesday Tour: 8:00am - 12:30pm(approx.)
​Friday Tour:          7:30am - 12:30pm(approx.)

Meeting time

Wednesday Tour: In front of Jimmy's / 8:00am
Friday Tour:          In front of Jimmy's / 7:30am

Note: If you are receiving a license in the afternoon or taking the practical driving test in the afternoon, you will have to come back on your own. 

(We can always provide information on public transportation between the Driver's License Center and OIST if your schedule doesn’t fit ours)

 

    Conversion Fee

    Application fee 2,550JPY
    License issuance fee 2,050JPY
    Vehicle usage fee  1,450JPY/A TEST

      Usefull Links

      • Foreign driver's license conversion basic information (supermelf.com)

      http://www.supermelf.com/japan/ajetdrivingbook/chap3.html

      • Basic information on knowledge test (supermelf.com)

      http://www.supermelf.com/japan/ajetdrivingbook/chap4.html

      • Practice online knowledge test

      www.japandriverslicense.com

      • Basic information for those who take practical driving test

      https://groups.oist.jp/ja/resource-center/things-remember-practical-test

      • Practical test tips (supermelf.com)

      http://www.supermelf.com/japan/ajetdrivingbook/chap5.html

      • Okinawa driving guide

      http://okinawadrive.guide-book.jp/?l=1&iid=27499

      • OkiJETs website (website for English teachers living in Okinawa)

      https://okijets.com/lifestyle/japanese-drivers-license/