Japan driving licence guides, in English

Everything a foreign resident needs to drive legally in Japan, from the first year on an International Driving Permit to converting or getting a licence, passing the written test, and keeping the licence valid. Each guide is checked against the prefectural police pages it is based on and dated.

Driving in Japan now

• Driving in Japan on an International Driving Permit
  Geneva-format permits only, one year from arrival, the 3-month rule for residents, and the licence-plus-translation route for six countries.

Getting a Japanese licence

• Converting a foreign licence (gaimen kirikae)
  Documents, steps, which countries skip the tests, and the knowledge and practical checks.
• What changed on 1 October 2025
  The conversion knowledge check went from 10 questions to 50, with a 90% pass mark and a residence certificate.
• Getting a licence from scratch as a foreigner
  Driving school or the direct test, fees, documents, and the new 17-and-a-half age rule.

The written test

• Karimen (provisional licence) test format
  50 true-or-false questions, 30 minutes, 45 to pass, and the Tokyo fee.
• Honmen (full licence) test format
  90 statements plus 5 illustrated questions in 50 minutes, 90 points out of 100 to pass.
• Taking the test in English
  The 20 languages, which centres and days, and how to book.
• Test centres in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Osaka and Aichi
  Where to sit the English paper, with days and booking rules.
• Free online mock test
  50 questions, 30 minutes, marked instantly with an explanation for every answer.
• 10 free sample questions
  The question style, with answers and explanations.

Keeping your licence

• The My Number card driving licence
  The three options, renewal fees, the online lecture, and what happens when the card is renewed.
• If your licence has expired
  The 6-month, 1-year and 3-year limits, what counts as a valid reason, fees and documents.

Rules, fees and formats are set prefecture by prefecture and change with little notice. Most guides follow Tokyo (Keishicho) and name the other prefectures they cover, 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.