Japan Licence Conversion (Gaimen Kirikae) Written Test: Complete Guide

What is gaimen kirikae?

Gaimen kirikae (外免切替) is the procedure for exchanging a valid foreign driving licence for a Japanese one without going through driving school from scratch. If you qualify, you skip most of the normal process but must still prove your knowledge and, for many licence categories, your driving skill.

You apply at the driver's licence test centre (運転免許試験場) of the prefecture where you are registered as a resident — established by your jūminhyō (resident record). You cannot apply in a prefecture where you do not live.

What changed on 1 October 2025?

On 1 October 2025 the knowledge test was made far harder: from 10 questions (pass 70%) to 50 questions (pass 90%), and the old illustration-based questions were abolished. The skills test also added checks such as correctly passing a pedestrian crossing.

At the same time the residency rule was tightened. You now need a jūminhyō showing your full foreign-resident details (nationality, status of residence, period of stay, residence-card number). Short-term or tourist-visa holders can no longer convert or renew a licence, apart from diplomats and consular staff. This closed a loophole where visitors converted using a hotel or temporary address.

How hard is the test now?

It is much harder than before. In October–December 2025, only 42.8% of applicants passed the knowledge test, down from 92.5% in 2024 — figures the National Police Agency announced on 2 March 2026. The practical skills test pass rate fell from 30.4% to 13.1% over the same period.

In other words, more than half of applicants now fail the written test on the new format. The questions are drawn from the same Rules of the Road and Road Traffic Act that Japanese learners study, so the reliable way through is to practise the 50-question format until 90% is comfortable.

What documents do I need?

Requirements are set by each prefecture, but you will typically need: your foreign driving licence; your passport(s) (used to confirm you stayed in the issuing country for at least three months after getting the licence); your residence card (在留カード); a jūminhyō issued within the last 6 months showing all foreign-resident items; a certified Japanese translation of your licence; and a photo.

The translation must come from an authorised issuer — the embassy or consulate of the issuing country, or JAF (Japan Automobile Federation). JAF's translation fee for a licence conversion is ¥6,600 (tax included) from 1 July 2026. Always confirm the exact document list with your own prefectural police, because details differ.

How much does it cost and how do I book?

The application and issuance fees are set per prefecture, so there is no single national figure — check your prefectural police website for the exact amount. Budget separately for the JAF translation (¥6,600) and any documents you need to gather.

Gaimen kirikae almost always requires booking an appointment in advance, and the mechanism varies by prefecture. Note that in Tokyo the online written-test reservation system does not handle foreign-licence conversion — that is arranged through a separate counter — so follow the specific instructions your prefecture publishes.

Which licences need the written test?

Whether you face the knowledge and skills tests depends on the country that issued your licence and the licence category. Applicants from a number of countries and regions with which Japan has a recognised standard are exempt from the knowledge and skills tests; others must take one or both.

Because exemption lists and category rules are detailed and change, confirm your own situation with your prefectural police before you assume you are exempt. This guide focuses on the written test that most applicants now have to pass.

FAQ

How many questions is the gaimen kirikae written test?

50 true/false questions since 1 October 2025. You need 45 correct — 90% — to pass. Before the reform it was 10 questions with a 70% pass mark.

Can I take the test in English?

Yes. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police offers the written test in about 20 languages including English, and this covers the foreign-licence knowledge confirmation. Availability of specific languages varies by prefecture, so check your local test centre.

Can tourists convert a licence in Japan?

No. Since 1 October 2025 you must be a registered resident with a jūminhyō showing your foreign-resident details. Short-term and tourist-visa holders can no longer convert or renew, except diplomats and consular staff.

What is the pass rate?

For the knowledge test it was 42.8% in October–December 2025, down from 92.5% in 2024, according to National Police Agency figures announced in March 2026.

Where do I take the test?

At the driver's licence test centre of the prefecture where you are registered as a resident. You generally need to book an appointment in advance.