Foreign License Conversion

License Reciprocity determines whether your valid home country license can be converted into a Japanese license without taking the written and driving test. All converters must have their driving history verified and pass a vision test, and those with licenses from places that are not exempt from testing will need to take a short written and driving test.

The general flow for conversion is as follows:

  1. Verification of driving history
  2. Vision test
  3. 10 question written test (available in English, some JETs will be exempt)
  4. Driving test on the examination center’s course (some JETs will be exempt)
  5. License issuance

For a more detailed explanation of what is required as well as information on how and when to make a reservation at the exam center, check out “Traffic and driving licenses” in this FAQ made by SPIRA. The original information by Saga Prefecture is only available in Japanese, but you can refer to it using machine translation.

And if you’d like to learn more about the process in general, this website has everything you need to know about converting your home country license into a Japanese license. For even more advice and information, read this section written by Saga JETs who successfully converted their licenses.

But what if you don’t have a valid foreign license in the first place? One option for getting a Japanese drivers license is driving school. Learn more about what that entails on the Driving School page.

The basic documents for application are:

  1. A valid Licence from your home country.
  2. Translation of the licence by JAF (you can apply online and print at any 7/11).
  3. A Jyuminhyo (じゅうみんひょう：住民票　Residence Record) showing your nationality (こくせき：国籍）
  4. Driving Record
  5. Residence Card
  6. Passport
  7. Record of Movement/Travel (a document that shows you entering and leaving your home countries boarders. This is the proof you lived in your country for 3months after getting your licence)
  8. Photo x2 (3cm by 2.4)
  9. International Drivers Licence (if you have one)
  10. An expired Japanese license (if you have one)
  11. Glasses/contacts (if you need them)

It is best to inquire when you make your appointment about what you need to bring. The above is a list of the items on the police website PLUS documents (number 4 and 7) that JETs have reported need in the past.

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