What it costs
An ordinary license in Tokyo comes to about ¥4,850 in official fees. The translation of your license is charged separately by whoever issues it.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee — ordinary license | ¥2,500 |
| Application fee — large license | ¥3,900 |
| Issue fee | ¥2,350 |
| Additional class added to an existing license | ¥200 |
| Ordinary license, total | ¥4,850 |
Tokyo figures. Amounts differ by license class and can differ by prefecture — check the center where you will apply. The translation of your license is charged separately by the body that issues it. Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Police — conversion procedure, checked 25 August 2026.
Costs that are easy to forget
- The official translation of your license, charged by JAF, your embassy or a designated body.
- The residence certificate, a few hundred yen at your city office, and it expires for this purpose after six months.
- A retake. Only five mistakes are allowed out of fifty, and the fee is payable again.