Translation Holders - Exempt from tests

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

You Answered

Are you registered as a resident of Japan? - YES
Do you have a valid non-Japanese driver's license? - YES
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
Do you have an International Driving Permit based on the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic? - NO
Was your driver's license issued in a country listed below? - YES
Was your driver's license issued in Estonia? - NO

Before the conversion

You can drive in Japan up to 1 year from the date of your entry to Japan with foreign driver's license and translation.
You can start preparing the required document right away.

Steps you have to take

Step1: Contact the Resource Center

Submit a request form from here to give detailed information on your driver's license as well as to request to make an appointment for a document screening session at the Driver's License Center
The Resource Center will contact you once your appointment has been confirmed. We will let you know what documents are required for your case.

Step 2: Start collecting required documents

Please refer here for the required documents

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

Document Screening session at the driver's license center

Step 4: Once your documents are accepted, you will receive a driver's license on the same day.

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.
3. No deteriorated license accepted

The translation can be done either by JAF(Japan Automobile Federation) or a consulate of the license-issuing country
You can obtain the Japanese translation from here. (Credit card is required)

*If you don't have a credit card, 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