Changing a foreign driver’s license
to a Japanese driver’s license
1. Conditions to change to domestic licenseThose who fulfill the following conditions can change their foreign driver ’slicense to a Japanese one at the Aichi Driver ’s License Center or the Higashi
Mikawa Driver ’s License Center.
a. Having a valid officially-issued foreign driver’s licenseb. Having stayed in the country issuing the foreign driver’s license for a
total of 3 months or more after obtaining the license
We will verify whether you stayed in the issuing country for a total of 3months or more using your passport, foreign license, a nd other documents. In
some cases, you must also provide immigration certificates, old passports, orthe driving record for your foreign license.

2. Time and place for application
In Aichi Prefecture, applications for changing a foreign driver ’s license to aJapanese driver ’s license need to be booked online in advance. Please accessthe website below, select the date (from Monday to Friday) , place which you
want to apply and enter the necessary information to reserve.
People who cannot speak or understand Japanese should come with an interpreter.
a. Driver’s License Center
People who finish the document screening before 1:30 p.m. can take thesenses test and knowledge test on the same day. The practical skills test isheld the day after.
b. Higashi-Mikawa Driver’s License Center
At Higashi-Mikawa Driver’s License Center, we have two-stage document screenings.
Please book the first document screenin g in the frame of weekday afternoon.
People who passed the first document screening can book the second screening.

Website for reservations【 Aichi-electronic application system(Aichi Prefect ural Police)】(h t tp s :/ / www. s h i n s ei . e -a i c h i. jp /p ref -a i c h i -p oli c e-u / offer/off er Li s t _ i ni t Di sp la y. a c t i on )

3. Required documentsa. Foreign driver’s license
b. Japanese translation of foreign driver’s license (translation must be
issued by a government office of the country of the foreign driver ’s license orby the embassy or consulate in Japan of that country or the Japan Automobile
Federation (JAF) or ZIPLUS Co.,Ltd. Translation by an individual ortranslation by companies other than above offices will not be accepted.)c. Passport (Those who have multiple passport should submit all of them.)d. Residence Carde. Certificate of the residence (jyuminhyo) with mention of nationality (Aphoto copy is not acceptable.)f. Japanese driver's license if yo u have one.
g. Identification photograph for the license application taken within thelast 6 months (no hat, facing forward, head and shoulders only, plain
background, 3cm x 2.4cm)
Depending on the country, you may need to submit additional documents.

4. Senses, knowledge and a practical skills test
If you pass the document screening, th e senses test, the knowledge test, andthe practical skills test, you will be issued a driver ’s license.
Those who had a Japanese driver ’s license in the past may be exempt fromthe knowledge and practical skills test, so please submit your nullified
Japanese license or driving history certificate.
a. Senses test
The senses test is a test of eyesight, hearing, color recognition and physicalability. Make sure to bring your glasses, contact lenses, or hearing aid if you
use them.
b. Knowledge test
In the knowledge test, you are asked about basic Japanese traffic rules. Youcan choose the language of the test from among 12 languages including
Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Persian,Vietnamese, Russian, Turkish, Thai, and Urdu.

In order to get a Japanese license, you must know Japanese traffic rules,
otherwise you will fail the knowledge test. You can prepare for theknowledge test by studying a foreign language version of the Japanese traffic
rules book, which is available at Japan Automobile Federation (JAF).
Questions are true or false and you will pass the test if you answer 7 out of 10
correctly. People who pass the knowledge test will be notified of the date andtime for the practical skills test.
c. Practical skills test
This test not only checks your driving ability but also evaluates yourknowledge of traffic rules, vehicle operation, and posture during your driving
test. The results will determine whether you pass or fail the test. For example,in Japan, when you turn left, after turn on left signal, and check the safety on
the left side b y looking in the rearview and side view mirrors, then check yourblind spots with your eyes, you must approach the left side of the road inadvance. To pass the practical skills test, you need to understand traffic rules
in Japan well. Study Japanese traffic rules thoroughly before taking the test.
If you fail the test, the examiner will give you some advice . Though theadvice is in Japanese, it can be very useful for the next test. The application
procedure for the next practical skills test will be easier and smoother if youunderstand this advice in Japanese, so we recommend that you come withsomeone who can understand Japanese if you don’t understand Japanese.
For the driving test, you need to bring an admission ticket, a driver'slicense application form, Japanese driver’s license if you have one, yourresidence card, foreign driver’s license of your c ountry, and a ticket for using
the test car. In addition, if you need a pair of glasses as a required condition,
make sure to bring them. You cannot take the test if you are wearing too
baggy clothes or shoes not suitable for driving, for example, sandals .
Examinees for a two -wheeled vehicle license should wear a helmet, gloves,boots, a long sleeve shirt and trousers. If you pass the practical skills test anddo the paperwork, you will be issued a driver’s license on the same day.

5. If you need to retake the practical test
If you pass the document screening, senses test and knowledge test, youcan reapply for the practical skill test for the next six months. However,applications for the practical skills test are increasing and there is sometimes
an overflow because there is a growing number of people applying to change
foreign licenses to Japanese licenses.
There are many people who cannot pass the practical skills test within six
months and have to take all the tests again. Before taking the practical skills
test, please study traffic rules in Japan and practice driving skills in driving
practice facilities in order to pass the test. E ven after getting your Japanese
driver's license, be sure to drive safely to avoid becoming the cause or victim
of an accident.

AICHI Police YouTube Official Channel

Driver’s License Center

Higashimikawa Driver’s License Center