How To Convert Your Drivers License to a Japanese One
Edit History
April 7, 2024. As of April 24, 2023, Americans with a Colorado driver’s license can directly transfer their license for a Japanese one. No more written and driving tests! Thank you Megan for telling me about this.
March 18, 2024. As of November 2022, you can now apply for a driver’s license translation entirely online via the Japan Auto Federation’s website. You can also print said translations on security paper at any participating 7-Eleven locations in Japan. I also revised the way I wrote jūminhyō to better reflect Hepburn Romanization rules.
November 13, 2022. As of November 1, 2022, Americans with an Oregon driver’s license can directly transfer their license for a Japanese one. No more written and driving tests! I also made a few small edits to clarify instructions.
How To Convert Your Drivers License to a Japanese One
Note: This guide is specific to Fukuoka Prefecture, yet there are many details which apply to Japan’s other 46 prefectures. Your best advice is to consult with your local driving school or those who past the driving test recently in your prefecture.
Japan is the land of Trains, Planes, and yes, Automobiles. While many of us think of the shiny and glitzy trains of Tokyo, the rest of Japan is quite different. In fact, the car reigns supreme outside of Tokyo!
Take Kyushu, for example. Most people drive down here due to a lack of rail infrastructure, which continues to decline. In addition, cars are necessary for going on road trips (thanks, Captain Obvious).
The following guide applies to those regardless of whether they obtained an International Driving Permit (IDP) or not.
Step 1: Translate your Home Country’s License
The first step to converting your foreign drivers license to a Japanese one is to get an official translation. There are two ways to do this: Through the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF), or through your country’s Embassy / Consulate. If you use the Japan Auto Federation, you will need to pay 4,000 JPY.
Via Mail (specific to those living in Kyushu)
You can mail them your documents, or visit any of their branch offices. For those living in Kyushu, you can mail your documents to the following address. For those in Fukuoka City, their branch office (and mailing address) is located at
5-12-27 Muromi, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka-shi 814-8505
You will need a color photocopy of your home country’s Drivers License, a photocopy of your Zairyu (residence) card, and your JAF license conversion application (English version can be found here). If you apply in-person, you won’t need your Zairyu Card, and they can photocopy your license as well. If you mail, be sure to use Japan Post Certified Mail and send 4,000 yen along with your application. In person, just pay at the office. The JAF will mail your official translation, regardless of how you applied for it, in about 1-2 weeks from the date of their receipt of your documents.
If you live in any other part of Japan, check the Japan Auto Federation’s website to find out either the correct JAF mailing address, or nearest branch office.
Via the Japan Auto Federation’s Website (for all living in Japan with a Credit Card)
As of November 2022, you can now apply online for an official translation. You can start by going to the Online Application for Japanese Translation site. First, create an account and agree to the terms and conditions. Once you register, you will need to upload the following items:
- Photocopy of both sides of valid driver’s license
- Possible: Additional documentation from your country of issuance, such as a passport. Check the JAF site for more details.
Once you upload your documents, complete the application procedures and pay 4,000 yen via credit card. From there, wait two weeks (or less if you’re lucky) for your translation to be ready. Once your translation is ready, head over to your nearest 7-Eleven store, follow these instructions, and print your official driver’s license translation!
Step 2: Obtain your Jūminhyō (住民票), or Residence Certificate, from your home town in Japan
The jūminhyō is a certificate issued by your city or town of residence certifying that you live there. You will be required to bring this as both proof of nationality and residency in Japan. Not every town hall lists your nationality, so be sure to request for your nationality to be printed on your certificate. If you have a MyNumber card, you can also get official jūminhyō at your nearest 7-Eleven or Lawson, too! However, I recommend getting it from your town hall if possible.
Step 3: Obtain the Following Documents Before Visiting the License Test Center
In addition to your official license translation and jūminhyō, you will need the following documents to prove your nationality, and to prove that you were a resident of your home country for at least three months after your current license was issued.
If you are from a country which lists the date you passed your driving test (such as France), nice try. The Prefectural Police, who run the License Test Centers, do not give a shit about when you first started driving. They only care about when your current license was issued. In other words, you could have been driving for 10 years, but if your current license from your home country was issued on June 16, 2020, you must prove that you were in your home country between June 16, 2020 and September 16, 2020.
Here’s what you need to bring:
- Your passport (plus previous passports held if applicable)
- Your Zairyu (Residence) Card
- Your Current Drivers License
- Your Official Drivers License Translation
- Your jūminhyō
- Two (2) 3 x 2.4 cm head shots taken within the past six months. These can be taken at any photo vending machine you find (ex. Ki.Re.I)
- Proof that you were a resident of your Home Country for at least three months after your current license was issued. Example documents include utility bills, bank statements, pay stubs, official school transcripts, and plane tickets.
Step 4a: For the Lucky, visit any of Fukuoka Prefecture’s driving centers and convert your license!
Fukuoka has four Drivers License Test Centers (自動車運転免許試験場). One is located in Fukuoka City, another in Kitakyushu City, one in Chikugo City (Chikugo) near Kurume, and one in Iizuka City (Chikuho). If you are one of the lucky ones who can directly convert your license to a Japanese one, you are free to visit any of these four facilities. Here are their addresses
- Fukuoka: 4-7-1- Hanahata, Minami-ku, Fukuoka-shi, 811-1356 (direct transfer only)
- Kitakyushu: 2-4-1 Hinodemachi, Kokuraminami-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, 802-0842 (direct transfer only)
- Chikugo (Kurume): 1135-2 Hisadomi, Chikugo-shi, 833-0056 (open to all, but don’t go here)
- Chikuho (Iizuka): 1518-1 Tsurumio, Iizuka-shi, 820-0014 (open to all, and absolutely go here)
I’m going to focus on the United States as, well, that’s where I am from. For more information, check out this document from the Fukuoka Prefectural Police (last updated June 2021). If you have a valid drivers license from the states of Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, or Washington State, CONGRATULATIONS! You are able to directly convert your drivers license to a Japanese one without taking any tests! Just bring the documents listed in Step 3. You will be asked to pay the 2,050 yen license issuance fee (window 2 at Iizuka), and the officers will check your documents. Once your documents are checked, you will be asked to take your picture, and wait a bit. You will receive your license on the spot, and you can now legally drive in Japan!
From Indiana?
If you are from Indiana, you will need to take the written test before converting your drivers license. As a result, you must go to either Kurume or Iizuka to convert your Indiana license to a Japanese one. You may be asked to return to the Prefectural Driver Testing Center (Japanese DMV) to take a 10 question, true or false test. It is possible to take this test in English, but be warned, the translations are horrible. You only need to get 7 out of 10 questions correct to pass. Once you pass, just follow the same steps as above (pay, take photo, get license) and you’re set!
Step 4b: For the Unlucky, Document Check, Test Scheduling, and (Eventually) Passing
If you are one of the unlucky ones, you will have to take a few tests. I highly recommend going to the Iizuka testing center as their course is much easier for foreigners to pass. In fact, I passed on my first attempt here (after taking lessons, of course).
Head over to either Iizuka (recommended) or Kurume (only if you need to) with your documents from Step 3. You will not need to pay anything on this day as you are only getting your documents checked. Fill out an application and attach one of your 3 x 2.4 cm pictures to it. If you forgot to take pictures, the Iizuka center has a photo booth for you to use.
The license conversion window (Window 5 at Iizuka) is only open from 1-1:30 PM, so make sure you arrive early and prepared. Hand over your application and documents, and wait for a few hours until you are called for an interview.
The interview will be conducted entirely in Japanese. They will ask you questions about what it was like obtaining your license in your home country. They will ask about written tests, learners permits, driving tests, and so on. If your Japanese is not good, you are requested to bring an interpreter with you. I did this alone, and somehow managed to get through the interview.
At the end of your interview, you will schedule your return visit to take the eye test, written test, and driving test. Whether you went to Iizuka or Kurume, schedule these tests for Iizuka. The driving course is much larger, and the odds of passing are much better. Of all my friends who passed their driving test in Fukuoka Prefecture, nobody passed at Kurume.
Step 4b Pt. 2: The Return Visit
For the eye test, you just need to tell the officer where the notch in the circle is (up, down, left, or right). They will also ask you what colors you see (blue/green, yellow, red). It’s standard and nothing to prepare for. You should pass unless you are blind.
For the written test, it is a 10-question true or false test. You can take this test in English, Chinese, and a few other languages. Be warned, the English translations are horrible, and the questions are not phrased like standard true or false questions. My best piece of advice: Don’t overthink it. Read the JAF’s Rules of the Road before taking the test, and do some practice quizzes online. This should prepare you well enough to pass. If you pass, you will be called to take the driving test. If not, then you will need to reschedule your written test and try again.
For the driving test, you will need to go to the waiting area near the test course. An officer will give you the rundown for the test, in Japanese, before beginning. You can ask the officer questions.
You and one other test taker will be paired with an officer who will conduct the driving test. One of you will drive while the other sits quietly in the rear seat. Every prefecture is different, but here are a few pointers.
The Test is Over. Now What?
Once the test is over, the officer will tell you if you passed or not. Regardless, he or she will give you feedback on what you can improve. In my case, the officer did not like the way I turned the steering wheel during left and right turns, but this was a minor mistake.
If you pass, you will be asked to pay 2,050 for the license issuance fee at the pay window (Window 2 at Iizuka). If you fail, you will be asked to schedule your next test for another date, and to pay 2,550 test fee at the pay window.
But once you do pass, you will wait a little more, take your photo, and receive your license on the same day.
Want to know the secret to increasing your chances of passing on the first try? Read Steps 5 and 6.
Step 5: Book Lessons with either Hakata Driving School or License Support Nero
No matter how skilled you are at driving, you are not skilled at Japanese driving. That’s why I scheduled lessons with Hakata Driving School in Fukuoka City. They offer classes specific for foreign license conversion, and if you take 5 or more hours of lessons with them, they can take you to the Iizuka test course for a simulated test. This is what I did, personally.
Alternatively, you can contact License Support Nero in Iizuka. He will take you directly to the Iizuka test course. There is a two-lesson minimum, however. License Support Nero is operated by a man who previously worked as a test proctor at the Iizuka test course. My friends who took lessons with him also passed on their first attempt at Iizuka. Your results will vary.
Step 6: Study for the Test with the Japan Auto Federation’s “Rules of the Road” book
Disclaimer: The Japan Auto Federation states that this book is not intended for helping you study for the written exam. I’m recommending this resource so as to familiarize you with the rules of driving in Japan, as well as the various road signs and etiquette here.
Protips for Passing at Iizuka
- In Fukuoka Prefecture, stay in the center of the lane when going straight. Other parts of Japan require you to stay left.
- When changing lanes, look in your rear view mirror before signaling R-SMOG, if you will (rear view mirror, signal, mirror, over the shoulder, go).
- Change lanes (as in, move to the left or right side of the lane) before turning left or right
- Look in your rear view mirror before braking
- When turning right, look right, then left, then make the turn
- When going through intersections, look right, then left, then go
- When turning left, look at your rear view mirror, left side mirror, then over your shoulder to check for motorcycles. Then go.
- Maximum speed is 30kph except for the straightaway. The proctor will tell you to go 50kph during that section
- Go slow during turns, no faster than 15-20kph.
- Turn your head when looking at mirrors!
おめでとう (Congratulations)!!!
You did it! You successfully converted your foreign drivers license to a Japanese one!