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Guide • Life in Japan

How I booked my Tokyo foreign license conversion (gaimen kirikae) appointment — and passed the 50-question knowledge check

If you’re converting a foreign driver’s license in Tokyo, the first challenge is often simply getting an appointment. Then you’ll face a document check and (since Oct 2025) a much longer theory test.

This post is Part 1 of 3 in a Fuchu foreign license conversion series: Part 1: Theory test, Part 2: Practical test, Part 3: I passed; now what?.

Last updated: 2026-01-28. If things have changed, contact us at hello@tabitalk.com.

What is gaimen kirikae (and who might be exempt)

“Gaimen kirikae” (外免切替) is the process for converting a foreign driver’s license to a Japanese one. The official Tokyo Metropolitan Police (Keishicho) page includes key eligibility notes and an exemption list by country/region.

Official page (Keishicho): Foreign license conversion (gaimen kirikae) — “Switch a driver’s license obtained abroad to a Japanese driver’s license”.

Which countries skip the conversion tests? (29 countries/regions)

Keishicho lists the following as the countries/regions that are exempt from the knowledge check and skills verification. If your country/region is not on this list, you need to take the conversion tests (theory and practical).

Iceland, Ireland, United States (Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland, Washington only), United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Austria, Netherlands, Canada, South Korea, Greece, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Hungary, Finland, France, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Monaco, Luxembourg, Taiwan.

Note: Keishicho also lists a smaller category of “skills verification exempt” (United States: Indiana only). Always confirm the latest.

Booking the appointment in Tokyo

In Tokyo, foreign license conversion is reservation-based. This guide will cover the online booking portal method for Fuchu and Samezu driving centres in Tokyo. I personally went to Fuchu driving centre for the conversion, so if you're interested to learn about my experience, read on!

The appointment calendar only opens 60 days in advance. I recommend trying to book as early as possible. Do not aim to book on a date, but rather aim to book as soon as new slots open at midnight (Japan time) 60 days before your desired date, since slots fill up extremely quickly and you may not get your preferred date if you wait.

Do note that there will not be openings on weekends, public holidays, or during the year-end/New Year holiday period. If you are 60 days away from one of those days, you will not see a new opening on the portal at midnight (I did that mistake once...)

The official starting point is the Keishicho foreign license conversion page. Under the reservation section, click the external link labeled 警視庁行政手続オンライン（外部サイト） to open the booking portal.

In the flow I used, the portal lets you choose the center (for example: Fuchu vs Samezu) and the appointment menu, then you select a date/time.

This portal link is for applicants who need to go through the conversion tests (i.e., you’re not in the 29 exempt countries/regions list).

I basically had to camp the booking site at midnight (Japan time). I tried three nights in a row before I finally snagged a slot. When new slots dropped, the openings would disappear within the first ~30 seconds, so you need to be fast, already logged in, and ready to click through the center/appointment selection quickly.

Practical tips that helped:

  • Be logged in and on the right page a few minutes before the time you expect slots to appear.
  • Use a stable connection (wired / strong Wi-Fi) and avoid switching devices mid-flow.
  • Get a friend to help.

Congrats! You got a slot. Now prepare these documents -

Use the Keishicho required documents PDF (all applicants) as your baseline checklist, and then check the country/region-specific PDF for any additional requirements.

The exact set depends on your situation, but here’s a practical “first appointment” checklist summary:

  • Your foreign driver’s license (original)
  • Japanese translation of your license (official)
  • Passport + residence card
  • Proof of residence (住民票 / jūminhyō) (certified copy)
  • Anything country-specific listed in the country/region PDF
  • Application photo (can be printed at Fuchu driving centre)

Where to get the two hardest documents

1) Japanese translation of your license (JAF)

Keishicho accepts a Japanese translation from approved institutions (including JAF). JAF provides an online application flow in Japan.

Cost (JAF, Japanese translation): 4,000 yen + convenience-store printing fee (20 yen per page).

2) Proof of residence (住民票 / jūminhyō)

You can get a jūminhyō from your city/ward office, or via a convenience store multi-copy machine (コンビニ交付) if your municipality supports it. I recommend printing it right before your appointment.

Convenience store method (step-by-step):

Requirements: your My Number Card.

  1. At the multi-copy machine, select Administrative Services / 行政サービス.
  2. Insert/place your My Number Card when prompted.
  3. Enter your 4-digit PIN to authenticate.
  4. Select Copy of Residence Certificate / 住民票の写し.
  5. Choose details (for example: whose record, what information to display), then the number of copies.
  6. Confirm, pay, and print.

Reference (example Tokyo municipality instructions): Inagi City: Convenience Store Issuance Service (How to Use).

Closest FamilyMart to Fuchu Driver’s License Center (where I printed mine): Map link

Your theory test will be conducted on the day of the appointment

The theory test recently became harder (since Oct 2025), changing from 10 questions to 50 questions, with passing changed to 45/50.

The test can be conducted in English, and is computer-based (multiple choice).

Don’t fret too much about it. In general, if you have a good understanding of your own country’s rules, it should get you most of the way there.

Study plan: focus on Japan-specific rules

I didn’t study much, but I still recommend skimming a few Japan-specific rules that commonly trip people up (especially now that the test is 50 questions with a strict pass mark).

Official references: Keishicho “Japan traffic rules” (English PDF), NPA traffic safety (English PDF), NPA: pedestrians first at road crossings (English PDF), JAF: traffic rules in Japan (English), JAF: driving in Japan — traffic rules (English), JAF: Rules of the Road (English book — purchase info).

JAF: Rules of the Road (English) full book (up as of Feb 2026): scribd.

Practical tips (high-signal topics to review)

  • Crosswalk priority: how Japan expects you to slow/scan and yield when a pedestrian is waiting to cross.
  • Stop lines: stopping fully at the line (not creeping past it) before proceeding when required.
  • Railway crossings: full stop + look/listen before crossing.
  • Speed limits: you can’t exceed the limit even briefly (including overtaking).
  • Road markings: double-yellow / no-crossing lines and what they prohibit.
  • Emergency vehicles: what to do when you hear a siren (pull over and stop).

Optional (unofficial) practice questions in English: Part 2, Part 3.

After you pass: booking the practical test

After you pass, staff will issue you an appointment card. With this card, go to Level 3 of the Fuchu Driver’s License Center. From the stairs, head straight and slightly left — you’ll see two manned booths that handle appointments.

Hand over your appointment card and ask to make an appointment for your driving test (skills verification). In my experience, it was about a 3 month gap to the next available slot (as of October 2025).

Useful Japanese phrases (the booth staff don’t really speak English)

These phrases are short, polite, and clear. If you can say just these, you can usually get through the booking conversation.

“I want to book the skills verification (driving test) for foreign license conversion.”

The key term is ginō kakunin (skills verification). This clearly signals you mean the driving portion.

“Here is my appointment card.”

Say this as you hand it over. If you prefer: yoyakuhyou o motte kimashita (I brought the appointment slip).

“What is the earliest available slot?”

If they offer a date far away, ask about cancellations next.

“Are there any cancellations?”

Simple and effective. You can also ask: kyanseru machi wa dekimasu ka? (Can I wait for cancellations?).

Want to practise these phrases before you go? You can drill them in TabiTalk: iOS / Android.

Next in the series

See all guides →

Sources

Practise the key words and instructions in the app

If you’re using this guide because you’re doing the process in Japanese, drills help. TabiTalk gives you interactive practice so you can understand instructions quickly under time pressure.

  • Build a mini vocabulary list for license-conversion terms (traffic, documents, counters).
  • Practise listening for short commands so you recognize them instantly.
  • Use the camera feature to help with signs and printed notices when you’re on-site.

Install TabiTalk on iOS or Android so it’s ready when you need it.