You may convert your domestic license to a Japanese one
You are advised to bring an interpreter if you don’t speak Japanese.
There is some parking area for motorcycles, however, the space is limited.
You are strongly recommended to use public transportations.
Fuchu Driver’s License Center
Samezu Driver’s License Center
Koto Driver’s License Center
* At Fuchu or Samezu, application can be made by those who have a driver’s
license of any country or region.
* At Koto, application can be made only by those who have a driver’s license
issued in a country or region listed below.
Exam-Exempt Countries and Region (29 countries etc.)
Where to Apply
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Luxembourg, Monaco,
New Zealand, Nederland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States (States of Hawaii, Maryland、Ohio,
Virginia and Washington only), and Taiwan
8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Closed between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.)
Monday to Friday1
Office Hours Processing time varies depending on the volume of applications. Your Japanese
license may not be issued on the same day of application.
Application Fee Ordinary motor vehicle license 2,550 yen
Moped license 1,500 yen
Large-sized/Medium-sized
motor vehicle license 4,100 yen
Fees Other 2,600 yen
Issuance Fee 2,050 yen
Fee for listing two types of
licenses in one license certificate 200 yen
(per one type of license, 200 yen)
1. A valid foreign driver’s license
*If your foreign driver’s license does not contain the date you first obtained it, a
document, such as your driving record with the said date, is required.
*If you have multiple licenses (e.g. an ordinary motor vehicle license and an ordinary
motorcycle license), a document indicating the date you first obtained these licenses
maybe required respectively.
*Required documents may vary depending on the country or license status. Please
contact us in advance for details.
2. Japanese translation of the license.
*The translation by the embassy of your country in Japan (or Taiwan-Japan Relations
Association for Taiwanese license), or Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) must be
attached.
3. Current and expired Japanese driver’s license(s), if any.
4. An official copy of your “jumin-hyo” or Certificate of Residence, indicating the
“honseki” or Registered domicile, or nationality (In case you are a
medium-to-long-term resident in Japan under obligation of resident registration)
*The Jumin-hyo should not contain your My Number. Photocopies are not accepted.
Requirements
*If you bring Jumin-hyo with My Number, you will be asked to black out the My
Number with a pen.
5. Passport or other form of official ID2 (In case you are a medium-to-long-term
resident in Japan free from obligation of resident registration)
Please present any one of the following documents.
・ Passport
・ Official ID issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
・ ID document issued by a competent authority
6. A document to prove that the address where you are staying is the one you fill in
the application form (In case you are expatriate Japanese or a medium-to-long-term
resident under registration procedures).
*There is no particular form for such a documentary proof. You may submit a
document prepared by the head of the household or the manager of the
accommodation where you are staying, with a photo copy of his/her driver’s license or
other address-bearing ID.
7. A document which proves that you had stayed in the country or region where you
obtained the license for a total of three months or more since you obtained it (e.g
passport)
*Please bring all of your passports, including expired ones.
*If you used the automated passport control at the immigration, please bring along a
certificate issued to prove the aforesaid fact that you stay for the required period in the
country or region where you obtained the license.
*The immigration record may be necessary even if your passport has not passed
through the automated gate.
Requirements
Please contact us for more details.
8. Applicant’s photograph for application form (3cm×2.4cm)
*The photo must be front-face, showing the face and shoulder only, without a hat or
head covering (with the exception of people who have religious or medical reasons);
the background must be uniform and plain; it must be taken in the last six months and
printed in color.
*Please do not wear colored contact lenses.
*Photographs which are grainy or taken at home are not acceptable.
*A photograph is required for each type of license you apply for.
*The photograph is not for driver’s license.
<Age>
18 years old or older*
* Ordinary motorcycle license: 16 or older
Medium-sized motor vehicle license: 20 or older
Large-sized motor vehicle license: 21 or older
You must have stayed in the country or region where you obtained the license for
a total of three months or more since you got it.
<Visual Acuity (Japanese scale)>
Ordinary motor vehicle license/motorcycle licenses:
0.7 or better (both eyes) and 0.3 or better (each eye); or
If the vision of one eye is under 0.3 or one eye has no vision, the visual field of
the other eye must be 150 continuous degrees or more along the horizontal
meridian and its vision 0.7 or better.
Medium-sized/large-sized motor vehicle license:0.8 or better (both eyes) and 0.5
or better (each eye). The applicant must go through depth perception tests by the
three-rod method three times and the average error must be 2 cm or less.
Qualifications If you obtained a Japanese license in the past and received a penalty such as its
revocation (excluding the novice-driver revocation), you cannot take an exam
unless you have taken lessons for those who had their license revoked within
one year prior to the exam and the disqualification period has already elapsed.
Your address must be in Tokyo.
Your knowledge and practical driving skills will be examined when you exchange
your foreign driver’s license for a Japanese one.
* You need to make an appointment to take an exam for your practical driving skills.
You cannot take the exam on the day of your application.
* The 29 countries etc mentioned above are exempt from the examination of
Other Points to knowledge and practical driving skills.
Note As it is necessary to see if you fall under the category of a novice driver, etc.,
please bring with you a driving record/history and a document (e.g., your old
foreign driver’s license) showing the period of your stay in a foreign country or
region, if any.
You can apply for a medium-sized/large-sized motor vehicle license only after
you have obtained an ordinary motor vehicle license.
Notes:
1. Excluding national holidays, and year-end and New Year holidays. Year-end and New Year holidays
are from December 29 to January 3.
2. “Passport or other form of official ID” means your passport or ID certificate issued by the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Japan or other certified authorities.
For further information, please contact:
The Written Examination Section, Fuchu Driver’s License Center,
Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
Phone: 042-362-3591
The Examination Section, Samezu Driver’s License Center,
Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
Phone: 03-3474-1374
The Driver’s License Section, Koto Driver’s License Center,
Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
Phone: 03-3699-1151