Japan is known for its efficient and far-reaching transportation system. With several train lines and a vast network of buses, it’s easy to get around. However, driving is your best bet if you want to take the road less traveled. For this and many other reasons, having a driver’s license can be handy.
Applying for a driver’s license in Japan may seem complicated, but it’s all about knowing what to prepare and going through the proper steps. Whether you’re using an international driver’s license, converting your license from your home country or learning how to drive altogether, here’s how to get a license in Japan without speaking Japanese.
If You Don’t Have a Driver’s License
Photo: iStock/ kazuma sekiHere’s how you can drive in Japan, from your learner’s license to finally getting your actual driver’s license.
Basic Requirements
You must be at least 18 years old, physically able to drive, have good eyesight and color vision and have good hearing.
Application Process
Step One: Learner’s License
Before getting your driver’s license, you must apply for a learner’s license. Contact the nearest Driver’s License Center to schedule your exam. Don’t forget to bring the following:
- A certificate of residence (住民票; juminhyo)
- Two headshot pictures (3×2.4cm)
- Resident card
- Glasses (if you need them)
You must answer a 50-point knowledge test and a driving test. After getting your learner’s license, you will be given six months to get your driver’s license. Otherwise, you will have to start all over again.
Step Two: Driving School
Driving school isn’t required, but it makes learning much easier. Tuition fees differ by school and the type of license you want. Completing a course at a driving school can range from two to three months, with more intensive courses offering graduation in just a few weeks.
Passing the final driving test at school will exempt you from taking the test at the Driver’s License Center. All you have to do is take the written exam.
English-Friendly Driving Schools in Japan
Here are four driving schools in Japan for English speakers. It’s your best shot at getting a driver’s license in Japan without speaking in Japanese.
- Koyama Driving School
Koyama Driving School has branches in Tokyo and Kanagawa. It’s by far the most expensive at ¥411,950 for an automatic transmission driving course and ¥426,800 for a manual one.
- EDS Driving School
EDS Driving School offers courses in Tokyo and Saitama. If you’re on a tight budget, the automatic transmission plan at ¥174,000 could be for you.
- Okui Driving School
Okui Driving School in Saitama offers the lowest price of the four schools. Their budget beginner’s course comes in at only ¥110,000. They also offer a plan for ¥380,000 if you prefer an intensive course.
- Chubu Nippon Driving School (Currently not accepting new students)
The Chubu Nippon School in Nagoya is a bit cheaper than Koyama. It has an automatic course for ¥353,260 and ¥369,460 for a manual one. The Toyota Motor Company also backs the school if that gives you extra peace of mind.
Step Three: Final Written Test
Bring the following with you on the day of your test:
- Certificate of graduation from a driving school
- Your learner’s license
- Residence card or My Number Card
- Certificate of residence
- A photo (3×2.4cm) taken in the last six months
For the final test, there are 95 questions in total. Ninety are multiple-choice, similar to the learner’s permit written test. The last five questions are illustration-based and worth two points each. The pass mark is 95 out of 100 possible points, leaving little margin for error. You will receive your license on the same day if you pass the exam.
If You Already Have a Driver’s License
Photo: PIXTA/ Haru photographyFor those coming to Japan with an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) or a valid driver’s license from their home country, you may be eligible to drive and convert your permit to a Japanese license. It depends on your country and where your license was issued.
International Driver’s Permit
You must be from one of the countries part of the 1949 Geneva Convention to use an IDP, and your IDP must be issued outside of Japan. Some countries, like France and Belgium, require their IDP to be translated into Japanese. Additionally, the IDP can only be used for up to one year from entering Japan.
If you’re a long-term resident, you can re-use your IDP if you leave Japan for three months and return.
Converting Your License
If you have a valid driver’s license from your home country, you can convert it to a Japanese one. Depending on your residency status, this may be more beneficial in the long run. To learn more, check out our Japan101 page.
To apply to convert your driving license, here is what you will need:
- Application form
- A photo taken the last six months (3.0cm x 2.4 cm)
- A copy of your residence card and residence certificate
- Health insurance card, My Number card or residence card
- Driver’s license issued in your home country
- Japanese translation of the driver’s license (gaimen kirikae)
- Proof that you have stayed in a foreign country for three months or more since obtaining the license. A passport with entry and exit stamps or utility bills will do.
- Processing Fee
After gathering the documents, make an appointment at your prefecture’s nearest Driver’s License Center. Depending on where you live in Japan, English support might be minimal. It’s best to bring a friend who can speak Japanese, just in case.
You will then take an eyesight test. Depending on your nationality, you may required to take a written true-or-false type test (in English) and a driving test. After you pass, your photo will be taken and your Japanese driver’s license will be issued. It will be valid for three years.