Menkyo helper

Change your foreign licence to a Japanese driving licence

Foreign-licence conversion (gaimen kirikae / 外免切替) lets you exchange a valid overseas driving licence for a Japanese one at your prefecture’s licence centre. Menkyo helper walks you through the documents, the knowledge test, and gives you free practice questions in English, Arabic, French, Chinese, and Japanese.

Documents you typically need

A valid foreign licence, an official JAF (or embassy) translation, proof you stayed at least 3 months in the issuing country after getting the licence, your residence card (zairyu card), and a photo. Requirements and reservations differ by prefecture — always check your licence centre’s official page.

The knowledge test

Most applicants take a short true/false knowledge check on Japanese traffic rules; the full conversion written exam uses the 50-question / 90% format. Practise both free in your language with mock exams that mirror the real timing.

After the written test

Many nationalities also take a practical driving check on the licence-centre course. Practise the course layout and rules with our Kadoma course guide and driving game.