In order to drive in Japan (as a foreigner), you will need either a Japanese license or an International Driving Permit. The International Driving Permit is valid for one year after you arrive or until the issue date expires (whichever comes first).
Requirements
The good news is we can transfer a foreign-issued license over to a Japanese version provided we meet some criteria.
- The applicant’s foreign driver’s license must be valid (expired licenses cannot be transferred).
- The applicant must be able to prove that he or she stayed in the issuing country for at least three months in total after obtaining the license.
If we can satisfy both 1 and 2 then we can transfer our license over to a Japanese version. There is a caveat though, in order to qualify for a license swap you have to have a license issued from one of the following countries:
| Australia | Austria | Belgium | Canada |
| Czech Republic | Denmark | Finland | France |
| Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland |
| Ireland | Italy | Korea | Luxembourg |
| Monaco | Netherlands | New Zealand | Norway |
| Portugal | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden |
| Switzerland | Taiwan | United Kingdom | United States (limited to Hawaii, Maryland, Washington) |
If your license is not issued by one of the listed countries, you have to take the written and road test in order to obtain a Japanese license. I believe the countries listed above have a reciprocal agreement with Japan to allow the transfer of licenses without taking another test.
Existing License Translation
The JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) provides a translation service. Find your nearest branch on this page: https://english.jaf.or.jp/contact/international-services
For JAF to translate a license they require the following:
- Application form for Japanese Translation of Foreign License
https://english.jaf.or.jp/-/media/1/2889/2894/2899/pdf_apli_english_2019_ippan_002.pdf?la=en - Your original driving license – They will copy it and return it to you.
- ¥3000 issuance fee. (plus ¥500 for return postage if you applied by post)
It can take anywhere from 1 day to a few weeks to get your license translated. If you go in person, it will be safe to assume that you will have it completed on the same day. I sent mine by post and it arrived back within a week.
Applying for the License Transfer
Once you have the translation of your original license, you can gather the other documents and make the application to transfer to a Japanese License. The transfer is handled by the Driver’s License Centre of your prefecture. You can contact them for the relevant application forms, and information on their processing fees.
You will need:
- Application Form
- An official copy of your 受民票 (juuminhyou) indicating your 本籍 (honseki) – This can be obtained from the town hall where you are registered. There will be a small fee for the certificate.
- Residents card – 在留カード (zairyuu kaado)
- Passport size photograph for the application form
- Original License
- Translated License
- Passport or other documents that shows that you lived in the issuing country for more than 3 months after obtaining your license.
- Processing fee
- Inkan (signature may also be accepted)
Call your nearest center and make an appointment for the license transfer. If you don’t speak Japanese then I suggest asking someone to call for you, it will make things a lot easier.
What Documents Can I Use To Prove 3 Months Residence?
This was the most difficult part for me because I had heard conflicting reports about what documentation would be accepted. It seems that the best evidence is if you have a passport with entry and exit stamps in your own country.
My passport was never stamped when returning after travel so that was ruled out but if you are planning to do this in the future and you are still in your home country then it will be worthwhile asking for stamps when you return home from travel.
I called the test center to ask if a utility bill would be acceptable which they said it was.
The problem with my utility bill was that they had made a spelling mistake on my name!! I took these bills with me anyway but also, credit card statements and Telephone / Internet bills.
It was probably ok just to take one set of bills but I figured that the more evidence I provided, the better. Here is the list of documents that I recommend.
- Utility Bill
- Telephone / Internet Bill (not mobile / cell phone)
- Credit card statements
- Passport with entry / exit stamps
At the Test Center
Once again I would recommend taking a friend who can translate for you if you don’t speak Japanese. Upon arrival at the centre look for a sign in English indicating Foreign License exchange. If there isn’t an English sign then look out for 外国免許切替え (Gaikoku menkyo kirikae). Give your name at the window and take a seat until you are called.
When it’s your turn you will be asked to fill out and sign the following form.
At the License Center I went to, they provided a translation. I recommend printing out or saving a copy of it just in case yours does not come with one.
When the form is signed, all your supporting documents will be checked and if everything is satisfactory the next step is the Eye Test.
Eye Test
The eye test consists of a sight test and a color test. Both are conducted on the same machine and only take a couple of minutes. For the sight test, you will see a test card with multiple C shapes. One of the shapes will light up and you have to say which direction the opening of the C is facing. Your options are Up (Ue), Down (Shita), Left (Hidari), and Right (Migi). Sound confusing? I was a little apprehensive about it because the instructions were unclear.
It’s really straightforward when you see it. Have a look at the picture below. On the top row, the first C would be left, second would be up, third would be right, and so on.
The color test is next and you will be shown two colors which you have to call out. Top first then bottom second. The combinations come from the traffic lights and are Red (Aka), Yellow (Kiiro), and Blue (Ao). Yes, it’s blue and not green in Japan apparently…
If you successfully complete the sight and color tests, you will have your photo taken in preparation for your license. Now, all that’s left for you to do is pay the fee and wait for your new license.
Colors On The License
You will notice a colored stripe on the front of your license. Everyone in Japan wants to have a gold strip! The gold stripe represents 5 years of good driving. When you receive your first license it will have the green stripe. After renewing (3 years) you will receive a license with the blue stripe. Next renewal will be the gold stripe if you have been driving well (no traffic violations etc).
The gold stripe can get discounts on insurance and, I am told, in some hotels and restaurants.
If it’s your first year of driving then you will be required to display the beginner stickers (Shoshinsha) on your car. If like me, you have been driving for longer than one year then your green license will be stamped to say that you are not required to display the beginner sticker.
