License - Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long can I drive in Japan using an international driving permit ?
A. You can drive legally for a maximum of 12 months after your entry into Japan. If you leave Japan for 3 consecutive months, the clock starts again. Your international driving should not be expired during the 12 months.

Q. Who actually needs to get a Japanese Driver`s License
A. Anybody who currently has a valid driver`s license issued in their home country, who wants to legally drive in Japan, who currently does not have a Japanese Driver`s Licence; who is planning to live in Japan for a period of greater than 12 months; who does not have the opportunity to spend more than 93 consecutive days in their home country each 12 month period.

Q. So, I don't need to apply for a license until I have been in Japan for 12 months?
A. If you receive a traffic infringement while you are driving on your International Driving Permit, it is the general understanding that you pay the fine and can then forget about it. The truth is, the police record this infringement against your name and once you pass your driving test when converting to a Japanese license, you may be told that your new license is automatically suspended for up to 2 years. A minor traffic offense may lead to a big problem in the future if you do not obtain a Japanese license early. This includes simple parking tickets.

Q. Do both your Full Serve and Self Serve programs offer your driving test simulation training tool?
A. Yes, for those who have licenses issued in countries that require a road test, our one of a kind road test simulation training tool, which will teach you exactly what you need to know to pass the road test in your city on your first attempt, is available to you in both our Full Serve and Self Serve programs. Please refer to our Service Areas page to confirm that we have developed this tool for the test center in your area. Even if you live in an area which we have not developed a training tool specific to the road test course that you will need to take your road test on, you will still find our training tools helpful as from our experience it is very similar aspects which are being tested on each course.

Q. Which Nationalities are required to take a written and road test?
A. Requirements for a road test is not based on your Nationality but rather which country your licensed was issued in. The easiest way for us to answer this question is to let you know in which countries of issue licenses are not required to take a written or road test. People with licenses issued from the following countries are not required to take a written or road test to convert their home country issued driver`s license into Japanese driver`s licenses: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Korea. Keeping this answer focused on the majority of the nationalities that make up our client base, people from the U.S., South Africa, China and Brazil are required to take both a written and road test. As well as those from Africa, Asia, South America, Eastern Europe and Russia.

Q. I am an American citizen and I lived in Japan 12 years ago. At that time I simply showed my U.S. license and was handed a Japanese Driver`s license. There were not any tests. What is different now ? Why can I not just do the same thing that I did 12 years ago?
A. A long long time ago, U.S. Citizens did not need to take a written or road test. This is true, but no longer so. The good news is that if you still have your expired Japanese driver`s license which may be able to renew.

Q. My U.S. license has expired but I have a valid international driving permit. Can I convert this into a Japanese driver's license?
A. No, this is impossible, there is no chance that you can do this. Are you driving now? If so you are driving illegally even if you have only lived in Japan for less than 12 months as your international driving permit is invalid without a valid driver's license. We suggest that you renew your U.S. license as it will be easier to do this than gettting a Japanese driver's license without a valid driver's license issued in your home country.

Q. I am a Canadian and I first heard that there actually is a reciprocal agreement between Canada and Japan. I then heard that Japan was not following this agreement and then I heard that as of February 2003 the agreement is being followed and now Canadians do not need to take a written or road test. Whats going on, eh? Can you provide me with a staight answer on this please ?
A. You are right, there was a reciprocal agreement between Japan and four provinces of Canada. You are also correct that Japan was not following this agreement, however as of February 1st, 2003 Canadians, from all provinces no longer need to take a written or road test to convert their license.

Q. Next week will mark my 12th month in Japan, so I need to get my Japanese license real fast. Can you take me out next week please on Saturday say 4:00 pm after my squash game to get my driver's license? I am an American and so I need to do the road test that evening as well ?
A. No, we cannot. It can be a 2 to 9 week process assuming that you pass your test on the 1st or 2nd attempt. The driving centers are only open Mon to Fri and only take applications for license conversion in the morning or just after lunch depending on city. In most cities the road test must be scheduled on a different day usually 2 to 4 weeks after you apply and your schedule will be set by them depending on city. You will need to collect your documents and to get your license translated and more time if you require supporting documentation from your home country. This is a very bureaucratic process, which makes the immigration center look like an efficient, customer service dreamland. You will need to spend up to 6 hours to apply depending on city. 75% of this time waiting and in lines and then another 5 hours depending on city per each driving test attempt. The test takes 15 min, the other 4 hours and 45 min is waiting time.

Q. I heard that for Japanese citizens the driving course is different each day and you will not know what course you must do your test on. Is this the same for foreigners who are converting their home country license into a Japanese one?
A. What you heard is correct and depending on the city Japanese citizens must also take a road test off the course track on the open road. However for people who are converting their home country's driver's license into a Japanese one, the road test is much more uniform. Some cities have two courses and other minor variations.

Q. Does the road test really test driving ability?
A. Kind of, but not really. It is on a track, with few other cars on the road. It is more like an obstacle course. You need to do certain things at certain places. If you do the right things at the right time you will pass your test. The course has not changed for many years.

Q. I live in Kobe but I heard that the road test in Osaka is easier. Can I take my road test at any center I want?
A. No, you may not. You must apply for license conversion and take the road test at the center of the prefecture or city that is listed on your Alien Registration Card.

Q. My international driving permit is valid for 3 years and I will only be in Japan for 2 years. So why must I go through the hassle to get a Japanese driver`s license?
A. You purchased your 3 year international driving permit online correct? Make sure to read the U.S. Embassy homepage section about fradulent International driving permit sales on the web as real international driving permits are only valid for 1 year. Regardless, the new Japan traffic act states that you can only drive legally using an international driving permit, up to 12 months from your entry date into Japan. Bottom line, you need to obtain a Japanese Driver`s license.

Q. I am a U.S. citizen and I have lived in Japan for 3 years. I am moving back home in 6 weeks. Should I get my Japanese driver`s license?
A. As you most likely would not be able to complete the process in 6 weeks even if you started today, then we suggest that you do not start. You are currently driving illegally and if you continue to do so you are at risk.

Q. I don`t have time to go through the hassle. I am not going to get my Japanese driver`s license. If I get pulled over I will just pretend that I don`t speak any Japanese and will show the police officer my international driving permit. He will not know what the heck it is anyway and will not know how long I have been in Japan and will just let me go, don`t you think?
A. There is a chance, depending on who pulls you over, that you are correct. However, be aware of the following: 1. Your entry date into Japan is printed on your Alien Registration card which he will ask to see. 2. We have been hearing from clients recently who were pulled over for speeding that and were given fines of 200,000 yen for driving illegaly without a valid license so obviously the officer in these cases knew about the law change. 3. and most importantly, our research taught us that if you are in a car accident that your insurance company may not cover the costs of damage to your car if you were driving without a valid Japanese driver`s license. You will be at risk if you do not get your Japanese driver`s license.

Q. Will I need to surrender my home country's driver`s license when I get my Japanese Driver's License?
A. No you will not need to surrender it.