To switch a foreign driver’s license to a Japanese license.

※This page uses a translator. Please understand this in advance.

Royal Driving School Fukuyama offers skill verification practice when switching a foreign driver’s license to a Japanese driver’s license.
The case of switching in Hiroshima Prefecture is shown here. If you are switching outside of Hiroshima Prefecture, please contact the license center of the prefecture where you will be switching.

Switching Conditions

If you hold a driver’s license issued by a foreign administrative office, you must meet the eligibility requirements in order to switch that license to a Japanese driver’s license.

Eligibility for examination.

• The foreign driver’s license is valid.
• You can prove that you have stayed in that country for a total of 3 months or more since obtaining the foreign driver’s license.
  (Documentation to proving the duration of stay is required).

Method to Switch Licenses

To switch to a Japanese driver’s license, you can go through the process at the licensing center in each prefecture. Hiroshima Prefecture, this is done at the Hiroshima Prefectural Licensing Center and the Eastern Fukuyama Licensing Center.

Switching Procedure

1. Examination application
2. Submission of Application Documents
3. Qualification Verification (Knowledge and Skills)
4. Aptitude test (vision, color perception)

1. Examination application

To apply for the examination is made during the office hours of the license center. In principle, the person taking the must call in person.

2. Submission of Application Documents

Application documents can be found here.↓

3. Qualification Verification (Knowledge and Skills)

After confirming eligibility for the examination based on the submitted documents, qualification verification will be conducted. The qualification check will consst of knowledge and skill checks. If the results of the qualification check indicate no impediment to driving, you will be eligible to take the aptitude test.

※Note that exemption may apply based on the country of issuance of the foreign driver’s license (countries eligible for special treatment).

Countries Exempted from Knowledge and Skills Assessment

Iceland	Ireland	United Kingdom
Italy	Austria	Australia
Netherlands	Canada	South Korea
Greece	Switzerland	Sweden
Spain	Slovenia	Czech Republic
Denmark	Germany	New Zealand
Norway	Hungary	Finland
France	Belgium	Poland
Portugal	Monaco	Luxembourg
Taiwan	United States (Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland, Washington)

Countries exempted only from skill verification

United States (Indiana)

Knowledge Confirmation

The knowledge verification answers questions regarding traffic and necessary knowledge about driving a car (10 correct/incorrect questions). The test is available in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Persi, Russian, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese in Hiroshima Prefecture.

※For those outside of Hiroshima Prefecture, please contact the license center where you will take the test.

Skill verification

The skill verification test is a practical.

4. Aptitude test (vision, color vision, etc.)

The examination includes vision and color vision. Once you pass the aptitude examination, you will be issued a license.

Required Documents

If you are taking the examination, in Hiroshima Prefecture, the following documents are required.

1. Foreign Driver’s License (International Driver’s license is not accepted)
2. Japanese Translation of the Foreign Driver’s License
   The translation should be provided by Zipplus Co., Ltd. (If the translation does not include the date of acquisition, please consult with the license center.), the embassy or consulate of the foreign country that issued the license, or the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF).
3. Passport or Other Documents (more than one document is required if more than one is to be certified)
   Documents that clearly show the dates of entry and exit and confirm that the applicant has stayed in the country for a total of at least three months after receiving the foreign license.
4. A copy of Resident Registration Documents with permanent domicile
   ※Photocopies are not acceptable.
   ※From July 9, 2012, foreign residents who are subject to the Basic Resident Registration Act are required to subject copy of their certificate of residence showing their nationality, etc. While those who are not subject to the Basic Resident Registration Act are required to subject a passport or other document.
5. Japanese Driver’s License (including expired one) for those who had obtained a Japanese driver’s license
6. One Passport-Sized Photo for Application
   Taken within the last 6 months. prior to the application, No not, front, no background showing the upper third of the body from the chest up.
   Size: 3 cm (H) × 2.4 cm (W)
7. Fee
8. Others
   China: ID card and Basic credentials
   Philippines: Official receipt
   Brazil: CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas)

Other documents may be required as a result of document screening.

Other

• Those whose Japanese driver’s license is under administrative punishment are not eligible to apply.
• The applicant must apply in person (application by proxy is not acceptable).
• At the time of application, you must answer questions about symptoms of your illness, etc. If applicable, the license center staff will ask you specific questions.
• Regarding the ‘Foreign Language Traffic Rules,’
  The Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) publishes foreign editions of “Traffic Instructions” in six languages, including English, to help foreigners study for the driver’s license examination and other tests.

Reference: Hiroshima Prefectural Police website.