New licence · Updated September 2026

How to get a Japanese driving licence from scratch as a foreigner

Foreign residents get a Japanese licence the same way Japanese learners do: either through a designated driving school, or by sitting every test directly at the licence centre (known as ippatsu). Both routes end with the same written test, which you can take in English. Since 1 April 2026 you can start at 17 years and 6 months. This guide follows Tokyo's rules; if you already hold a licence from another country, converting it is usually quicker.

Short answer: a designated driving school handles the practical side and you then pass the written test at the licence centre (¥4,250 there, plus the school's own fees). The direct route costs far less but means passing the provisional test, at least five days of supervised road practice, the full test on public roads, and a compulsory ¥17,750 course.

Who can apply in Tokyo

Age17 years and 6 months or older, since 1 April 2026 (it was 18). The licence itself is only issued from your 18th birthday; if you pass before then, you collect it afterwards, within one year of the aptitude test.
AddressRegistered as living in Tokyo. You take the tests in the prefecture where you live.
EyesightAt least 0.7 with both eyes and 0.3 in each eye (glasses allowed). If one eye is below 0.3, the other needs 0.7 and a 150-degree field of vision.
DaysWeekdays only. Closed at weekends, on public holidays and from 29 December to 3 January.

Route 1: a designated driving school

  1. The school does the practical part. Lessons, the in-school provisional licence and the final driving check all happen at the school. You graduate with a certificate that exempts you from the practical test at the licence centre. It is valid for one year from your final driving check.
  2. Book the written test. Tokyo's written tests are reservation-only, through the Keishicho online booking site. Ask for the English paper.
  3. Test day. Aptitude test (eyesight, colour), then the written test. Assemble at 8:00 for the morning session or 11:00 for the afternoon one, at Fuchu, Samezu or Koto.
  4. Fee: ¥4,250 at the centre (¥1,900 test, ¥2,350 licence).

Route 2: the direct test at the licence centre

  1. Provisional licence (karimen). At Fuchu or Samezu: aptitude test, the 50-question written test, then a practical test on the centre's course, booked separately and never on the same day as the aptitude test. Fee ¥5,800. See the karimen test format.
  2. Road practice. In the three months before the full practical test you must have practised on public roads on at least five days, with a supervisor beside you who has held a licence for that vehicle for three years or more. Display 仮免許 練習中 (provisional licence, in practice) plates on the front and back of the car, and record every session on the road practice declaration form (路上練習申告書). You hand it in on the day of the practical test.
  3. Full licence (honmen). Aptitude test, the written test (90 statements plus 5 illustrated questions in 50 minutes, see the honmen test format), then a practical test on public roads. Fee ¥5,650 (¥2,500 test, ¥800 test vehicle, ¥2,350 licence). Every retake costs the test and vehicle fees again.
  4. Compulsory course (取得時講習). Direct-route candidates must complete it before the licence is issued: ¥17,750.

The practical tests are the hard part of the direct route: many people need several attempts. The written tests are the same on both routes, and 45 out of 50 (karimen) or 90 out of 100 (honmen) is a high bar.

Documents for foreign residents

Taking the written tests in English

Both the provisional and the full-licence written tests are offered in English and 19 other languages; in Tokyo, English is available every weekday. The questions are literal translations of true-or-false statements, and a single word such as "always" or "may" decides the answer. See taking the test in English, try the free 50-question mock test, or start with ten sample questions.

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreigner get a Japanese driving licence without a foreign licence?

Yes. Foreign residents follow the same process as Japanese learners, either through a designated driving school or by taking the tests directly at the licence centre, with a certificate of residence showing their residence status.

What is the minimum age for a Japanese car licence?

Since 1 April 2026 you can take the ordinary car tests from 17 years and 6 months. The licence is issued from your 18th birthday.

How much does it cost to take the test directly in Tokyo?

At the licence centre: ¥5,800 for the provisional licence, ¥5,650 for the full licence and ¥17,750 for the compulsory course, plus the test and vehicle fees again for every retake.

How many days of road practice do I need before the practical test?

At least five days in the three months before the full practical test, supervised by someone who has held a licence for that vehicle for three years or more, recorded on the road practice declaration form.

Can I take the written test in English?

Yes. Both the provisional and the full-licence written tests are offered in English and 19 other languages. In Tokyo the English paper is available every weekday.

I already have a licence from my country. Do I need to start from scratch?

Usually not. Converting a foreign licence (gaimen kirikae) is normally quicker: most countries' licences need a 50-question knowledge check and a practical check, and some are exempt from both.

Related guides

Practice papers written for this exam, in English

Ten topic papers, 500 true-or-false questions with answers, explanations and a Japanese term glossary. ¥500 per paper, or ¥4,000 for all ten plus ten full 50-question mock tests. Paper 07 is free.

Get the free paper Try 10 sample questions

This page was last checked in September 2026 against the Tokyo Metropolitan Police (Keishicho) pages on the ordinary licence test (driving-school and direct routes), the provisional licence test, road practice, the April 2026 age change and the October 2025 document rules for foreign nationals. Rules, fees and formats are set prefecture by prefecture and change with little notice, so always confirm the current requirements with your local licence centre before you book. Independent study material; not affiliated with any prefectural police, licence centre or driving school.