[Must see! 2021 edition ] Switching a foreign driver’s license to a Japanese license | Get the Japanese Translation with JDL!
If you have a foreign license, you can switch it to a Japanese one at your local license center. You can drive in Japan without spending a lot of time and money in attending driving school.
With JDL you can easily get your “Japanese Translation of Foreign License” . *［1］ We will explain the flow and procedures in detail.
*［1］ …The translation services we can provide are limited to the United States, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Table of Contents
- 1. Switching a foreign driver’s license to a Japanese license
- 1. Submission of application documents
- 2. Aptitude test
- 3. Knowledge confirmation of traffic rules
- 4. Confirmation of driving skills
- 【Confirmation Required】: About the Fees
- 2. JDL Japanese Translation of Foreign License
- 1. What to prepare
- 2. Application flow
- About the JDL Japanese Translation of Foreign License
- 3. Exemption! No Tests Required for these 29 Countries!
- 4. First, let’s get the JDL Japanese Translation of Foreign License
If you are a foreign national and have a driver’s license in your own country and want to get a driver’s license for work or living in Japan, you can get a Japanese driver’s license immediately by following the procedure called foreign driver’s license conversion a.k.a. Gaimen Kirikae. Also, those who have obtained a license abroad and returned to Japan will be able to drive on public roads in Japan by switching the driver’s license in the same way.
Generally, in order to obtain a driver’s license in Japan, it is necessary to attend a driving school and take about 60 hours of training (driving training, classroom training). It takes at least two weeks and the cost is high, so there is no doubt that it is easier to just convert your foreign license.
First, let’s look at the procedure.
1. Switching a foreign driver’s license to a Japanese license
- 1. Submission of application documents
- 2. Aptitude test
- 3. Knowledge confirmation of traffic rules
- 4. Confirmation of driving skills
- 【Confirmation Required】: About the Fees
Generally steps 1 to 3 are done in 1 day.
Be careful during Step 1. If even just one required document is missing, your application will not be accepted. Make sure that you have all the necessary requirements.
*［2］ We suggest making advance reservation for the Step 4 Driving test. After passing the tests, your Japanese driver’s license will be issued on the same day.
Let’s look into the detail one by one.
*［2］ … Reservations may be required in advance depending on the license center. Before going to the license center, we recommend checking your local license center’s homepage or direct call.
1. Submission of application documents
I.Certificate of Residence
For foreigners, you need a certificate of residence that has your nationality (国籍) listed.
If you are a Japanese citizen, you need a certificate of residence with your registered domicile (本籍地) listed.
You can get your Certificate of Residence (住民票) at your local city hall or government office.
If you can not go during the reception hours, acquisition via proxy is also possible.
If you have My Number Card, you can get your Certificate of Residence at a convenience store.
A Certificate of Residence is only valid for 6 months from the issued date.
If you do not have a registered Certificate of Residence, please directly contact your local license center for the proper requirements.
II. Valid foreign driver’s license
A foreign license must be valid. In other words, you can not convert an expired license.
In addition, if the license issued date is not listed on the license, you will need documents to prove the license issued date.
In addition, depending on the country of acquisition and acquisition status, there are specific documents to required. Please inquire at your local license center in advance.
III. ID Photo
1 Pc. Colored ID Photo with no background
3 centimeters long × 2.4 centimeters wide
No hat or headpiece (except for religious or medical reasons)
No smiling in the photo
Taken within 6 months before application is submitted.
IV. You must prepare evidence that shows that you have stayed in the country where your license was issued for more than 3 months after obtaining the license.
Bring all your passports, including the old ones. If not, please obtain an entry and exit record certificate.
V. Japanese Driver’s License
If you have a Japanese Driver’s license, please bring it with you. If you have an international driver’s license, please bring it with you as well.
VI. Glasses, etc.
Car and motorcycle licenses require a vision of at least 0.7 for both eyes and at least 0.3 for each eyes.
For those who have vision less of less than 0.3 for one eye or those who can not see with one eye, the vision of the other eye must be 150 degrees or more on the left and right, and the vision should be 0.7 or more. If you are not certain, you can receive a vision test for free at a glasses shop etc.
VII. Japanese Translation of Foreign License
It is necessary to bring the Japanese translation of your foreign license
- Created by the embassy of your country in Japan (for Taiwan’s license, Taiwan Japan Association)
- The Japan Automobile Federation (JAF)
- The Japanese Drivers License (JDL) *［3］
Only the translations made by the one listed above are acceptable. Translations made by individuals or translation agencies are not permitted.
*［3］ …The translation services that JDL can provide are limited to the United States, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Click here to get the Japanese translation of your foreign license!
https://jdl.asia/ja/contact_translate
2. Aptitude test
The traffic regulation applicable test is formed with an eyesight test (0.7 or more with both eyes, 0.3 or more with one eye) and a color discrimination test (being able to identify red, blue and yellow).
The hearing test is not performed, as long as you follow the instructions of the examiner.
3. Knowledge confirmation
Here, your knowledge about the traffic rules of Japan will be checked. If you do not study in advance, you will not be able to pass in one shot. If you are not familiar with the rules, be sure to purchase a textbook and prepare.
The exams are all multiple-choices. with at least 7 over 10 questions to pass. It is also available in languages other than Japanese (English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Persian). Check with your local license center in advance to see if you can receive it in your preferred language.
4. Confirmation of driving skills
This driving test is the most difficult part in switching licenses. We would not dive into details here, but this test is not a matter of if you can drive or not. It is strictly scored according to the verification criteria of the license center. The results are only pass or fail.
If you completed the above procedures and pass the exams successfully, you will finally be issued a Japanese driver’s license.
【Must Check!】About the Fees
The cost of the procedure for switching the driver’s license is as follows.
Certificate of Residence … 300 yen
Japanese Translation of Foreign License … 4,400 yen * When issued by JDL
Examination fee: 2,550 yen * For regular vehicles
License Issuance fee: 2,050 yen
Total … 9,300 yen
■ Examination fee for other vehicle types
Moped … 1,500 yen
Large, medium, and semi-medium vehicles… 4,100 yen
Others … 2,600 yen
■ When switching between different license type
200 yen per exemption
JDL Japanese Translation of Foreign License
The Japanese Translation of Foreign license is one of the requirements you need to convert your license into Japanese. Other documents (like the Certificate of Residence) can be prepared by yourself, but the translation of your license can only be issued by organizations authorized by the National Police Agency.
At JDL, we issue the Japanese Translation of Foreign license for licenses issued in the United States, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. It’s very easy and you can apply online! Anytime, anywhere.
① What to Prepare
- Your valid foreign driver’s license
- For those switching Philippine driver’s licenses: Official Receipt
- Residence Card
- PayPal Account
② Application Flow
- Fill out the Online Application Form and upload the required images. Please take note of these 3 Points:
・Is the entire driver’s license / residence card clearly visible? If it is blurry or the image quality is poor, please take a picture again.
・Is light reflected or shadowed?
・Is the image filtered or processed?
- Payment
Payment can be made online through PayPal. If you do not have an account yet, please create one in advance.
- Receive the Translated Document
It will take 5-6 business days to complete the translation. The translated document will be sent to your home by mail.
③ About the JDL Japanese Translation of Foreign License
“The Japanese Translation of Foreign License” is just one of the documents required for switching to a foreign driver’s license. Other necessary documents must be prepared by the customer. After submitting all the necessary documents, you will be issued a Japanese license after undergoing aptitude tests (eyesight tests, etc.) and driving tests. Take note that the Japanese Translation does not assure that your license will be switched.
Exemption! No Tests Required for these 29 Countries!
If you have a driver’s license issued in the following countries, the knowledge and driving skills will not be confirmed when switching to a Japanese driver’s license. If you have all the necessary documents, you can get a Japanese driver’s license.
Iceland, Ireland, United States (Ohio, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland and Washington only), United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Austria, Netherlands, Canada, South Korea, Greece, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Hungary, Finland, France, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Monaco, Luxembourg, Taiwan
First, let’s get the JDL Japanese Translation of Foreign License
The procedure for switching your driver’s license may seem difficult and complicated. But there are only two big steps. Prepare the necessary documents and take the test.
With that alone, it will be possible to drive immediately in Japan. Of the required documents, only the issuance of “Japanese Translation of Foreign License” cannot be prepared individually. So to begin your Gaimen Kirikae, let’s start by getting the Japanese Translation of Foreign License.
Click here to get the Japanese Translation of Foreign License
