Converting a foreign driving license in Japan
On 1 October 2025 the knowledge check went from 10 questions to 50, and from 7 correct to 45 correct — 90%. Illustration questions were abolished and a residence certificate became mandatory. This site explains the procedure and lets you practice for the new format.
外国免許切替（外免切替）の手続きと知識確認むけ練習問題。※制度の数値はすべて出典・確認日つき。
A study aid, not an official source
We are not affiliated with the police or any government body. The questions on this site are written by us — the real exam questions are prepared by each prefectural Public Safety Commission and are not published. Rules, fees and procedures differ by prefecture and can change: always confirm with the official page of the license center where you will apply. Every fact here was checked on 25 August 2026, with its source linked beside it.
The real test, in short
- Questions
- 50 (True / False)Source: Kanagawa Prefectural Police
- Pass mark
- 45 correct — 90%Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Police — 2025 rule change
- In force since
- 1 October 2025Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Police — 2025 rule change
- Languages
- 20+ (varies by prefecture)Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Police — tests in foreign languages
- Illustration questions
- AbolishedSource: Tokyo Metropolitan Police — 2025 rule change
- Driving test
- Separate day, by appointmentSource: Tokyo Metropolitan Police — conversion procedure
What changed on 1 October 2025
| Item | Before | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 10 | 50 |
| Correct answers needed | 7 of 10 (70%) | 45 of 50 (90%) |
| Illustration questions | Included | Abolished |
| Proof of address | Other documents accepted | Residence certificate (jūminhyō), issued within 6 months |
| Driving test tasks | Course driving | Crossing pedestrian crossings and other tasks added; stricter marking |
Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Police — 2025 rule change, checked 25 August 2026.
How much harder it became
For October–December 2025, the first three months under the new rules, the pass rate was 42.8% for the knowledge check and 13.1% for the driving check. Published by the National Police Agency and reported in the press. This is a second-hand figure — we have not located the agency's own page for it.
Where to start
Am I exempt?
Licenses from 29 countries and regions skip both tests. Check yours first — it decides everything else.
Practice test
Original True/False questions on the rules the check is built from, with an explanation for every answer.
How it works
The nine steps from checking your eligibility to walking out with a Japanese license.
Documents
The nine things to bring, including the residence certificate rule that changed in 2025.
Fees
What the application, the issue fee and the translation actually cost.
FAQ
Twenty-eight questions people ask before their first appointment.