Disclaimer: We are not automobile license experts. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by current and former JETs and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
A driver’s license issued by a foreign DMV can be switched to a Japanese license (Gaimen Kirikae) by applying to a Driver’s License Center. To apply for a Japanese license in Niigata, applicants must fulfill the following conditions:
- The applicant’s foreign driver’s license must be valid (expired licenses cannot be transferred).
- The applicant must be able to prove that they stayed in the issuing country for at least three months in total after obtaining the license.
- The applicant must be a registered resident in Niigata prefecture.
When should I start the Japanese drivers license process?
- Please start the process as early as possible. Keep in mind that applications can only be processed at the Niigata Prefecture Driver’s License center at Seiro city.
- There is a limit on applications that can be processed at the License Center in Seiro City per day. Please call to set up an appointment. Appointment dates may not be readily available so it is recommended to start this process a few months before your IDP expires.
What are the required documents needed?
- Valid driver’s license
(It must include an issuance date of at least three months prior to your arrival in Japan—This needs to correspond with your passport to prove that you resided in the country that issued your license for at least three months. If your license dose not include an issuance date, then you must also provide driving records from your issuing country proving that you resided in that country for at least three months prior to your arrival in Japan.)If the date of issue of your driver’s license is earlier than the date of issue of your passport, your stay will be confirmed from the date of issue of your passport. If you cannot confirm your stay because there are no immigration stamps, etc., you will need other documents to prove your stay. https://www.pref.niigata.lg.jp/site/kenkei/menkyo-gaikoku-gaikoku.html
- Residence Card (在留カード / Zairyu Card)
- Current passport
- An official copy of your “Jumin-hyo” (住民票 / Resident Record) issued by your municipality
- A Japanese translation of your driver’s license from your home country
(prepared by the embassy or the consulate of your country, or by the Japan Automobile Federation(JAF).) - Photocopies of the following documents (on A4 sized paper)
● Driver’s license (front and back)
● Residence Card (front and back)
● Passport (all the pages which show your identity information, visa, and stamps)
● Other required documents specified individually - A passport sized photograph* (must have been taken with in the last 6 months)
(3 cm × 2.4 cm wide, head and shoulders only, front-face, no headwear, plain background)
*You can have your photos taken for ¥800 (2 photos) at the Driver’s License Center. - Additional documents might be required depending on individual cases.
- You must supply evidence that you were in your home country for up to 12 months. Passport stamps, university transcripts, pay slips from previous employment as well as employment contracts are recommended as evidence. Please bring more proof than you think you need.
- Documents may vary depending on the country. Please confirm your required documents when you make an appointment.
Download the official list here
The Process
Disclaimer: As of March 31, 2025. JAF has ended counter and postal application for License Translations. You will need to do it online through the JAF website.
Translating your Driver’s License into Japanese online.
You will need to apply online through JAF Website.
Issuance Fees
English Translations: 4000 yen
Chinese Translations: 4400 yen
- Online Application form for Japanese Translation of foreign driver’s license instructions are available here.
- JAF Instructions (click here)
- A driver’s license (original, in principle): You will need to take a photo of your license for the application process for the translation. So it’s best to use your phone when signing up.*A Fukuye is only required for license issued by Republic of China. An Official Receipt is only required for license issued by Republic of the Philippines.
- A photocopy of a residence card or a resident record etc: This is only required for licenses written in Arabic or Russian and licenses issued in certain countries, including the Republic of Korea, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Union of Myanmar.
- Days required for issuance
The Japanese translation will be issued on the same day up to two weeks. They will email you when they finish translating your license. - Pay at the Konbini or Credit Card
You can pay it in cash at the Konbini or you can use your credit card. If you need to pay in cash, or want to use your credit card, the instructions on how to pay are also in the online application instructions. - Print at the Konbini
After the process is done, you are able to print your translated license at a konbini of your choosing. The instructions on how to print are also in the Online Instructions linked earlier.
- Online Application form for Japanese Translation of foreign driver’s license instructions are available here.
- Day 1: Processing Documents at Seiro Driving License Center
- Arrive early on the day of your appointment.
- Please be accompanied by your supervisor or a friend/coworker who can assist you with interpreting.
- The waiting time will take as long as 2 hours. You will be given a number card at the counter in the order of arrival. Screening of documents start at 1:30pm. Each applicant will be called and have his/her documents screened in numerical order by the number cards.
- Presentation of the documents for screening must be made by an applicant in person and must be accompanied by an interpreter if they have difficulties communicating in Japanese.
- After officials have confirmed all the documents, they will give you three course maps and will ask you to schedule an appointment for the written and driving test (ALT’s exempted from the exam will only need to take an aptitude test followed by more waiting for same day license issuance).
- The earliest they advise you to schedule your tests would be 2 weeks after the day you’ve processed your documents. But the appontments fill up fast, so you will likey have to schedule your next appointment a month out.
- You may request to take your test at another Licensing Center near you.
- Be sure to give yourself ample time to take and pass the test. If you fail your first time, the earliest they advise you to reschedule would be in the next 10 -14 days.
- Day 2: The written and driving test
- You do not need to be accompanied by anyone on this day.
- Please bring with you the copy of the processed documents given to you by the officials.
- You will need to pay a sum amount of ￥5000 – ￥6000 for processing your written and driving test fees.
- This day will be filled with a whole lot of waiting. The estimate time you will spend on this day will be three to four hours.
- If you’ve taken more than two lessons, memorized the courses and practiced, then there should be no worries for failing.
- The written test is 50 questions long. It’s all True or False questions but you need to pass with a 90% (45/50).
- Countries exempted from taking both written and driving exams (Australia, Austria, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Luxemburg, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Taiwan). The U.S. states of Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland, Ohio, Washington, Oregon and Colorado are exempt from taking both exams. However, residents from the State of Indiana only need to take the written exam.
- License to be issued: All driver licenses, which are issued by the Niigata Prefectural Public Safety Commission, are embedded with IC chips. You are requested to create two passwords to enter in advance. Each password must be a four digit number.
Fees
| Test and Issuance Fees | Cost |
| Written/Driving Test | ￥2200 |
| Car Use | ￥1550 |
| Physical License | ￥2050 |
| *Driving Retake Test | ￥3750 |
DRIVING LESSONS
It is highly recommended that you take lessons before the actual test. The driving test does not only test your driving ability but it tests you on how well you can memorize and perform on the Japanese standardized driving course test. There will be 3 courses that you must memorize (linked at the bottom). You will be tested one of the three. The course will be chosen at random on the day of your test so be sure to have both courses memorized. (Don’t expect your driving inspector to tell you when and where to turn)
Taking driving lessons will help you with all the minuscule parts you think wouldn’t count on the test like the exact timing of turning on your blinkers, how many meters from a turn should you start breaking, scoping out the area before getting into the car, etc. Heed our warning take the lessons, it’ll be cheaper than failing your test 3 or even 7 times. Many ALTs have taken lessons together to take down notes for each other. We suggest you ask a fellow ALTs or even a Japanese friend to accompany you on your lessons.
If you already own a car, or know someone who owns a car, you can take it to the Driving Center in Seiro Town (We’re not sure if the same can be done in the Nagaoka Center) and practice using a private vehicle. The cost of a Normal car (and Kei-Cars) are both classified under “Normal”. You can either practice the course for 30 minutes to 1 hour. It’s possible to extend your time. You can also get a voucher for 16 hours (16 one hour tickets). You have to pay in cash.
For more information, like where to buy the ticket for the course, click here. (This website is entirely in Japanese)
Below are people/places you can contact to take private driving lessons.
- Niigata Prefecture Driver’s License Center Seiro Town
Examination Unit
Address: 7-1-1 Higashi-ko, Seiro-Machi, Kitakanbara-Gun
北蒲原郡聖籠町東港7丁目1番地1
Phone: 025-256-1212 Extension: 256
Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm (Monday – Friday except on public holidays)
Other Driving License Centers
- Nagaoka Driver’s License Center
Address: 7-1 Nagaokashi, Kamimaejimamachi
新潟県長岡市上前島町７−１
Phone: 0258-22-1050
- Sado Driver’s License Center
Address: Sado-shi Nakahara 350 – 1
佐渡市中原３５０－１
Phone: 0259-57-5067
References and Resources
- Niigata JAF (Japan Automobile Federation)
Address: 11-6 Shinko-cho, Chuo-ku, Niigatashi, Niigata
新潟県新潟市中央区新光町１１－６
Phone: 025-284-7664
Hours: 9:00am – 17:30pm (Monday – Friday except on public holidays) - Rules of the Road Handbook
- Driving Course Map
Updated as of February 2026