Japan has officially toughened its regulations for foreign drivers seeking to convert overseas licenses to Japanese ones, effective beginning October 2025. This move is a direct response to increasing traffic accidents involving foreign drivers and aims to ensure road safety by aligning requirements and tests more closely with domestic standards.
Stricter Proof and Tougher Exams
Under the revised system, only legal residents can apply for a conversion — tourists and other short-term visitors are now entirely excluded. Applicants must submit a valid certificate of residence; using temporary accommodation like hotels as a registered address is no longer permitted. This shift makes the process longer and more complex for newcomers, particularly those who have recently relocated for work or family reasons.
The written exam itself has undergone significant changes. Previously, the test consisted of 10 simple questions, with a passing rate requirement of 70 percent — that is, seven correct answers. The new rules expand the written test to 50 questions, available in multiple languages, but now require a 90 percent passing score. This means applicants must answer at least 45 questions correctly, a considerable jump in difficulty. The practical exam has also been made more rigorous, now evaluating skills such as handling railway crossings and safely accommodating pedestrians under more realistic driving conditions. These changes reflect widespread criticism that the old system was simply too lenient for new arrivals unfamiliar with Japan's unique traffic protocols.
Some groups, such as diplomats, U.S. military personnel, and professional racecar drivers, may use documentation from their home organizations to fulfill the residence requirement. Japanese nationals living abroad still need only provide family register documents to complete their conversion.
Safety and Social Impact
The number of foreign nationals converting their licenses in Japan has more than doubled over the last decade, exceeding 68,000 in 2024, with Vietnamese, Chinese, and South Korean drivers making up the largest segments. However, traffic accidents attributed to foreign drivers reached a troubling record high of 7,286 cases last year, constituting 2.7 percent of all reported incidents.
Authorities note that the accident rate for resident foreign drivers is about four times higher than that of Japanese drivers, and far higher still for visiting tourists using rental cars. The government cites unfamiliar traffic rules, left-side driving, and language barriers as primary challenges. By making the exams tougher and enforcing residency checks, officials hope to reduce risk for all road users.
While some applicants from select countries still qualify for exempt status and can skip some testing requirements, most foreign residents will face stricter documentation, longer wait times, and demanding interview procedures moving forward.
Japan’s police and transportation agencies stress that these changes are not meant to discourage foreign residents, but to ensure safety and fairness for everyone. Existing foreigners with Japanese licenses are encouraged to verify their documentation and consult local authorities for updates. Everyone engaging in the process should expect it to take more time and require more careful preparation than in previous years.
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