Is the driver’s license you obtained in your home country or in a foreign country being left unused? Provided it is still valid and you can prove you resided in the country where the license was issued for more than three months after the issuing date and go through the required procedures, it can be changed to one usable in Japan. However, depending on the country which issued the license, a driving aptitude, knowledge and skill examination may be required.
The necessary papers and examination required to have your present license changed to a Japanese one may differ slightly according to each Prefectural Public Safety Commission. Applications should be made at the Driving Examination Office of the police headquarters that covers the location of your residence shown on your resident card or alien registration certificate. For example, if you are registered as living in Hyogo Prefecture, you need to make your application at the Hyogo Prefecture Police Headquarters Driving Examination Office.
(Address: 1649-2, Niyama-cho, Akashi City; Telephone No. 078-912-1628)
* Necessary Documents etc.
1. Your present driver’s license issued in a foreign country
2. Your passport (verifying your stay in the country that issued your driver’s license for longer than three months after the issuing date of the license)
3. Resident Card or Alien Registration Certificate
4. One copy of your photograph (3cm X 2.4cm)
5. Japanese translation of your driver’s license
6. Black ball pen and your seal (inkan) if you have one
7. Papers showing your driving history if your driver’s license does not bear its date of issuance
Regarding the Japanese translation of your present driver’s license, only one made by JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) or the embassy/consulate of the issuing country of the license is acceptable.
(JAF Hyogo Branch: Tel: 078-871-7563)
The fee for the driving aptitude, knowledge and skill examination is ¥2,400, plus an application fee of ¥1,750.
For further information, inquiries should be made with the person in charge of driver’s licenses at your local police station. If you do not understand Japanese, contact the following organizations where interpreters are available to help you.
* Kobe Foreigners’ Center [KFC]: 078-731-6926
Vietnamese & Japanese
Tuesday thru Friday 10:00-16:30
* NGO Foreigners’ Supporting Net [GQ-net]: 078-232-1290
English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese
Wednesdays 14:00 - 20:00 & Saturdays 11:00-17:00