Driving in Japan
jp.usembassy.gov · submitted 4 months ago
U.S. Embassy guidance distinguishing International Driving Permits (short-term visitors only) from converting to a Japanese license (required for residents), plus a warning about IDP scam websites.
Cars / TransportationDaily Life
Related links
Mar 4, 2026 · Complete guide to Suica and Pasmo IC cards in Japan. Learn where to buy, how to use, top up, and differences between card types — essential for foreigners living in Japan.
Aug 3, 2026 · Understand who can convert, what changed in October 2025, which documents to prepare, and how the process normally works at a prefectural licence centre. The usual route: eligibility, documents, booking, checks or tests, then licence.
Feb 18, 2026 · Go as soon as possible after moving in. Legally, you must register your address within 14 days. Best time: Weekday mornings (9:00–11:00). Afternoons can be crowded, especially early in the month. Some ward offices are open on select.
Updated for the October 2025 reform: mandatory resident record, 50-question knowledge check (90% pass), stricter skills check, documents, fees, and where to apply — explained for foreign residents.
Sep 6, 2026 · Once you’re a resident, or if you simply want a full Japanese license rather than relying on a time-limited IDP, the process you’ll go through is called gaimen kirikae (外免切替), literally “foreign license switch.”
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