Can Foreigners Get a Japanese Driver’s License in 2025?
AkiyaHub TeamCan Foreigners Get a Japanese Driver’s License in 2025?
How to Convert Your License, What’s Changed, and Who Qualifies
Thinking of driving in Japan? Whether you’re commuting to work, exploring the countryside, or just want more independence, a Japanese driver’s license can make life a lot easier, especially outside big cities where public transport thins out.
But as of October 2025, Japan has made some big changes to its driver’s license rules for foreign residents. Here’s what’s new, who’s eligible, and how you can get (or convert) your license the right way.
What Changed in 2025?
Until recently, many foreign residents could convert their overseas driver’s licenses with minimal checks. But a rise in traffic violations and misuse led Japan’s National Police Agency to tighten the Foreign License Conversion System (外免切替制度 · gaimen kirikae seido).
The new system focuses on long-term residents with real driving experience, not short-term visitors or tourists.
Key Reforms in 2025
Proof of Residency:
❌ Before 2025: Hotel or friend’s address accepted
✅ After 2025 Reform: Must show a Resident Registration Certificate (住民票 · jūminhyō)
Visa / Stay Type:
❌ Before 2025: Short-term visa holders could convert
✅ After 2025 Reform: Only long-term visas (work, study, permanent residency) are eligible
Driving Experience:
❌ Before 2025: Foreign license alone was enough
✅ After 2025 Reform: Must prove actual driving experience in the issuing country
Written Test:
❌ Before 2025: 10 questions, 70% required to pass
✅ After 2025 Reform: 50 questions, 90% passing grade
Practical Driving Test:
❌ Before 2025: Simple maneuvers (start, turn, stop)
✅ After 2025 Reform: Same standard as new Japanese drivers, full course with safety checks
Who Can Convert Their Foreign License?
If you already hold a valid driver’s license from another country, you may be eligible for conversion, but only if you meet the stricter 2025 conditions:
✅ You’ve lived in the issuing country for at least 3 months before coming to Japan
✅ You hold a Resident Registration Certificate (not a temporary address)
✅ You have a valid long-term visa (work, study, or permanent residency)
✅ You can show real driving experience, not just a paper license
If you’re in Japan short-term (like on a tourist visa), you’ll need to use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead. Those are valid for up to one year and cannot be renewed indefinitely.
💡 Tip: If your IDP is expiring soon and you qualify for conversion, apply before it runs out to avoid downtime.
How to Apply for a Japanese License Conversion
Here’s the streamlined version of what to expect:
1️⃣ Step 1: Gather Your Documents
You’ll need:
Your original foreign driver’s license
A Japanese translation of your foreign license, via JAF (Japan Automobile Federation)
Your Resident Registration Certificate
Residence Card and passport
Passport-sized photo
Application form (available at your prefecture’s License Center)
Application fee (varies by prefecture)
⚠️ Note: Applications without a resident certificate will be rejected.
2️⃣ Step 2: Visit the Driver’s License Center
Head to your prefecture’s Driver’s License Center. Depending on your country of issue, you may be eligible for simple conversion after a quick vision test, or need to take both written and practical tests.
Some centers offer written tests in English, Chinese, or Portuguese, but the driving test is in Japanese. It helps to practice with a bilingual instructor and learn the basic instructions.
3️⃣ Step 3: Pass the Tests
✍️ Written Test (筆記試験 · hikki shiken)
50 questions, 90% required to pass
No illustrations, text only
Covers traffic laws, safety, and hazard prediction
🚗 Practical Test (技能試験 · ginō shiken)
Full driving course, similar to what new Japanese drivers face
Includes crosswalks, intersections, railroad crossings, and full safety checks
💡 Tip: Many driving schools now offer prep courses tailored for foreign residents under the new 2025 rules.
4️⃣ Step 4: Receive Your License
If you pass all tests, your license is typically issued the same day (though this varies by prefecture).
New licenses are valid for three years, after which they can be renewed like any Japanese license.
Approximate Costs:
Simple conversion: ¥3,000–¥5,000
Full test route: ¥5,000–¥10,000
Driving school (new license): ¥200,000–¥300,000
Why Japan Tightened Its Licensing System
The 2025 reforms came in response to a surge in:
Foreign license conversions by short-term visitors
Traffic accidents involving non-resident drivers
Misuse of temporary addresses (like hotels) for registration
According to the National Police Agency:
The 2025 reform restores the Foreign License Conversion System to its original purpose: helping long-term foreign residents drive safely and responsibly in Japan.
In short, the new system prioritizes safety, experience, and accountability.
Quick FAQs
Can a foreign student still convert their license?
Yes, as long as they hold a valid student visa and Resident Registration Certificate.
Can I use my International Driving Permit forever?
No. It’s valid up to one year and must be reissued from your home country.
Are the tests harder now?
Yes. Both the written and driving exams match the standard for new Japanese drivers.
Can I drive while waiting for conversion?
Only if your IDP is still valid.
The Takeaway
Getting a Japanese driver’s license in 2025 isn’t impossible. It’s just more structured. If you’re a long-term resident with real driving experience, you’ll have no trouble meeting the new standards. But if you’re here short-term, stick to your IDP, and plan ahead if you intend to stay longer.
Do your prep, get your documents in order, and you’ll be on the road legally and safely.
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