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To drive in Japan, you must either convert your overseas driver’s license into a Japanese driver’s license or obtain a driver’s license in Japan.
To obtain a driver's license in Japan, you can take a test at a driver’s license center, but it is generally recommended to apply to a driving school because the test is difficult and the pass rate is low. For people who want to obtain a Japanese driver's license, we recommend going to a short-term “training camp license” program at a driving school.
Please feel free to contact us.
If you do not speak Japanese, please contact us by filling out the contact form or by having a Japanese speaking friend call for you.
Available year-round 9:00～21:00
How to obtain a driver’s license in Japan
For people who have an overseas driver’s license
If you have a driver’s license obtained in a foreign country, you can convert it to a driver’s license that permits you to drive in Japan by going through the procedures at your local driver’s license center. Basically, you can convert your driver’s license if it was issued by a member country of the Geneva Convention. With the exception of exempt countries, it is still necessary to confirm your ability through a knowledge test and driving skills test. *Please check the website of the Metropolitan Police Department for information on eligible countries and corresponding exemptions.
For people who do not have an overseas driver’s license
If you do not have a driver’s license, you need to obtain one to drive in Japan.
Japanese driver's licenses are issued by your local prefectural public safety commission. There are two ways to take the exam. One way is to take and pass the knowledge test and driving skills test at a driver’s license center (generally referred to as a “one-off test”). The other way is to complete the curriculum at a designated driving school, and then take and pass the knowledge test at a driver’s license center. The main difference is whether or not you take the driving skills test at a driver’s license center.
One-off test
If you can pass the knowledge test and driving skills test at a driver's license center, you will be issued a driver’s license. The advantage is that the cost of the one-off test is inexpensive and you can obtain your driver’s license in as little as one day. However, the driving skills test is quite difficult. Therefore, even Japanese people tend to go to a designated driving school and take the driving skills test at the school.
Studying at a designated driving school
Students who complete the curriculum at a designated driving school approved by the public safety commission are issued a driver’s license after passing the knowledge test at a driver’s license center. This is the way most Japanese people obtain their driver's license, because they can learn proper driving skills at a designated driving school and then take the driving skills test directly at the driving school. In addition, students can choose from two types of designated driving school programs: “commuter” or “training camp”.
Features of the commuter license program
- Study at a driving school near your home or workplace.
- You can learn at your own pace on holidays, etc.
- It generally takes 2 to 3 months to graduate (for ordinary vehicle AT).
- Schools are often crowded from August to September and February to March.
Features of training camp license programRecommended!
- Training camp style where students lodge at the school until they graduate
- Available at convenient locations throughout Japan
- Curriculum designed to ensure students graduate quickly
- Graduate in 2 weeks at the shortest (for ordinary vehicle AT)
Please feel free to contact us.
If you do not speak Japanese, please contact us by filling out the contact form or by having a Japanese speaking friend call for you.
Available year-round 9:00～21:00
What is a training camp license program?
Students can graduate from driving school in a minimal amount of time.
The training camp curriculum follows a schedule that enables students to graduate in 14 days at the shortest for ordinary vehicles with an automatic transmission (AT).
What is included in the training camp fee?
The fee for the training camp consists of the cost of the training, meals, lodging, and transportation (the transportation allowance varies depending on the place of departure, and is subject to a maximum amount).
*Some driving schools require an additional fee for moped training. Please contact us for details.
*The training fee does not include the learner’s permit test fee of 1,700 yen per test and the learner’s permit issuance fee of 1,150 yen. The fee must be paid additionally at the driving school after entering the school.
*There is also a plan available that allows you to prepare your own meals.
Compensation during training camp
Regardless of whether or not our company is liable, we will compensate you for any damage to your life, body, or personal belongings caused by a sudden and unexpected accident during your participation in the training camp, in accordance with the Provisions for Special Compensation in the Section of the Agent-Organized Travel Package Contract in the Terms and Conditions for Travel Business.
| Payment item | Payment details*1 |
|---|---|
| Compensation for accidental death or disability | Up to 15,000,000 yen |
| Allowance for hospitalization (up to 30 days) | 3,000 yen per day of hospitalization |
| Allowance for outpatient hospital visits (up to 30 days) | 1,500 yen per day of visit |
| Compensation for damage to personal belongings | Up to 150,000 yen (3,000 yen deductible) (up to 100,000 yen per item or pair of items) |
*(1) The amount of compensation shall be in accordance with the Provisions for Special Compensation in the Section of the standard Agent-Organized Travel Package Contract in the Standard Terms and Conditions for Travel Business. For details, please refer to the Travel Terms and Conditions.
Please feel free to contact us.
If you do not speak Japanese, please contact us by filling out the contact form or by having a Japanese speaking friend call for you.
Available year-round 9:00～21:00
How to apply for the training camp license program
Step 1: Please contact us by phone.
Please call us after deciding on your preferred driving school, date of enrollment, and type of vehicle. If you do not have a preference, we will suggest the best plan for you, so please call us for a consultation and we will process your reservation over the phone. We will send you a confirmation of your reservation details.
Please feel free to contact us.
If you do not speak Japanese, please contact us by filling out the contact form or by having a Japanese speaking friend call for you.
Available year-round 9:00～21:00
Step 2: Payment
Please make payment according to the instructions we send you. The contract will be completed upon receipt of payment.
Step 3: Preparation of necessary documents
Please prepare the following items before enrolling in the school. Also, please make arrangements for transportation, if necessary.
- Residence card or special permanent resident certificate (Ensure that there is at least one month remaining until the expiration date, since it takes approximately one month to graduate. Please contact us in advance if your expiration date is approaching or if you are in the process of renewing your credentials.)
- Passport
- Resident record (must indicate applicant’s nationality and your identity only, and must be within 3 months of the effective date.)
- Seal (a type that is used with a vermilion inkpad. Self-inking and rubber stamps are not acceptable.)
- Japanese driver’s license (if you have one)
Please feel free to contact us.
If you do not speak Japanese, please contact us by filling out the contact form or by having a Japanese speaking friend call for you.
Available year-round 9:00～21:00
How to obtain a driver’s license at the training camp (for ordinary vehicle AT)
*This is an example of the shortest training schedule.
Day 1
Meet at designated location
Before departing, please make sure that you have not forgotten anything.
Admission procedures and explanations
Submit the necessary documents.
Aptitude test
Undergo vision, hearing, and motor skills exam.
*A standard driver’s license requires vision of 0.3 or better in one eye and 0.7 or better in both eyes (glasses and contacts are acceptable).
Preliminary studies
Learn the basic principles of driving before beginning driving practice.
Days 1 to 6
Stage 1
Learn the basic knowledge required for driving. Basic operations and basic driving skills are all taught at the school’s on-site driving course.
Day 7
Final exam
Take the final exam after completing Stage 1 of the curriculum. The test is conducted at the school’s on-site driving course.
Learner’s permit test
The learner’s permit test consists of a total of 50 Yes/No questions.
The test can also be taken in a foreign language at some affiliated schools.
Obtaining a learner’s permit
You will be issued a “Learner’s permit” if you pass the final exam and learner’s permit test. A learner’s permit will allow you to practice driving on public roads.
Days 7 to 13
Stage 2
Learn practical knowledge required for driving.
Begin driving practice by taking lessons on public roads.
Day 14
Certification exam
Take the certification exam after completing Stage 2 of the curriculum. The test is conducted at the school’s on-site driving course and on public roads.
Graduation and training camp completion
After passing the certification exam, you will be issued a “Graduation certificate” in completion of the training camp.
Within one year of graduating
Driver’s license test
Take the driver’s license test at a driver's license test center in the prefecture specified on your residence certificate. Make sure to bring your “Graduation certificate” and “Learner’s permit”.
Obtaining a driver’s license
You will receive a “Driver’s license” after you pass the driver’s license test.
Please feel free to contact us.
If you do not speak Japanese, please contact us by filling out the contact form or by having a Japanese speaking friend call for you.
Available year-round 9:00～21:00
FAQ
- Can I get a license even though my Japanese isn’t very good?
-
Basically, it is desirable for students to be able to hold daily conversations in Japanese.
However, some schools offer foreign language textbooks and tests, so if you are worried about your ability to communicate in Japanese, please contact us for more information. - I have a driver’s license from my home country. What should I do?
-
With the exception of some exempt countries, it is still necessary to pass the written exam and driving test at a driver’s license center (driving test center) to obtain a driver’s license in Japan.
However, the driving skills test is quite difficult. Therefore, we recommend that you enroll in a training camp license program to obtain a driver’s license issued by a public safety commission in Japan. - Do you have foreign language textbooks?
-
Yes, foreign language textbooks are available.(*They must be purchased additionally.)
Textbooks are available in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Korean, etc. There are also locations where you can take your learner’s permit test in a foreign language. Please contact us for details. - Do you have any instructors who can speak foreign languages?
-
Yes, some of the driving schools have instructors who can speak English or Chinese.
- What documents do I need to enroll in a training camp license program?
-
Please prepare the following documents by the date of enrollment.
- Residence card or special permanent resident certificate (Ensure that there is at least one month remaining until the expiration date, since it takes approximately one month to graduate. Please contact us in advance if your expiration date is approaching or if you are in the process of renewing your credentials.)
- Passport
- Resident record (must indicate applicant’s nationality and your identity only, and must be within 3 months of the effective date.)
- Seal (a type that is used with a vermilion inkpad. Self-inking and rubber stamps are not acceptable.)
- Japanese driver’s license (if you have one)
Please feel free to contact us.
If you do not speak Japanese, please contact us by filling out the contact form or by having a Japanese speaking friend call for you.
Available year-round 9:00～21:00
Recommended schools with training camp license programs
These recommended driving schools have support for foreign nationals. They offer foreign language support for the learner’s permit test and have foreign language textbooks available for purchase.
*The price of textbooks may vary by school.
Ibaraki Kennan Driving School (Ibaraki Prefecture)
- Close to Tokyo, so it is recommended for people in the Kanto area!
- Offers lessons in English.
- Reservations available only through our company!
- Please contact us if you cannot eat certain foods due to religious beliefs.
Available foreign language textbooks
English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese
Available foreign languages for learner’s permit test
English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese
Chirihama Beach Driving School (Ishikawa Prefecture)
- Many Vietnamese nationals have graduated from this school (about 80 in 2023).
- Please contact us if you cannot eat certain foods due to religious beliefs.
- Reservations available only through our company!
Available foreign language textbooks
English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Spanish
Available foreign languages for learner’s permit test
English, Chinese, Vietnamese
Ajima Driving School (Nagano Prefecture)
- Just one bus ride away from Nagoya and Shinjuku.
- Reservations available only through our company!
- Offers various foreign language textbooks.
- Please contact us if you cannot eat certain foods due to religious beliefs.
Available foreign language textbooks
English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean
Available foreign languages for learner’s permit test
None
M Land Masuda (Shimane Prefecture)
- Offers Chinese instructors.
- Provides a free shuttle bus from Hiroshima Station.
Available foreign language textbooks
English, Chinese
Available foreign languages for learner’s permit test
English, Chinese
Atago Driving School (Nagasaki Prefecture)
- Offers lessons in Chinese.
- Offers a graduation gift of 10,000 yen to students who graduate in the shortest number of days.
- Recommended for people in the Kyushu area!
Available foreign language textbooks
English, Chinese, Vietnamese
Available foreign languages for learner’s permit test
English, Chinese, Vietnamese
Please feel free to contact us.
If you do not speak Japanese, please contact us by filling out the contact form or by having a Japanese speaking friend call for you.
Available year-round 9:00～21:00
