UK to Japan Licence
Convert a UK Driving Licence to a Japanese Licence (British Expats Guide)
If you live in Japan and hold a full UK driving licence, you can usually convert it to a Japanese licence without taking a driving test (in most cases), as long as you have the correct documents and can prove you were in the UK for long enough after you first got your licence.
This process is called:
外免切替 (がいめんきりかえ / Gaimen Kirikae) = switching a foreign licence to a Japanese licence.
Quick Summary (What You’ll Need)
To switch your UK licence to a Japanese licence, you typically need:
- A valid UK driving licence (must not be expired)
- Official Japanese translation of your UK licence (usually from JAF)
- Passport(s) to prove travel history
- Proof you lived in the UK for at least 3 months after you got your licence
- Residence card + proof of address in Japan
- A visit to your local Japanese driving licence centre
JAF clearly states the two core requirements:
Your foreign licence must be valid
You must prove you stayed in the licence-issuing country for at least 3 months after obtaining it
The 5 most common mistakes tourists make (avoid these)
Convert a UK Driving Licence to a Japanese Licence (British Expats Guide)
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Step-by-Step: How the Process Works
Step 1) Make sure your UK licence is valid (not expired)
Japan will not convert an expired foreign licence.
Your licence must be currently valid when you apply.
Step 2) Get an official Japanese translation of your UK licence (JAF)
You must bring an official Japanese translation of your UK licence.
JAF confirms the translation is required for licence conversion applications.
Where to do it
Use JAF’s online translation application system (English site).
Important notes from JAF
JAF does not translate International Driving Permits (IDPs)
The translation is generally valid as long as the licence is valid (rules differ for certain countries)
Step 3) Prove you lived in the UK for 3+ months after getting your licence
This is the part that catches most British expats out.
Japan requires that you can prove you stayed in the country that issued your licence for:
a total of at least 3 months after the day you obtained your licence
This is a hard requirement, and JAF spells it out very clearly.
What proof is usually accepted?
This depends slightly by prefecture / licence centre, but common acceptable evidence includes:
- Passport entry/exit history (if it clearly proves you were in the UK long enough)
- Supporting documents if your passport doesn’t show stamps clearly
Some prefectural police guidance (example: Kanagawa) specifically notes that if stamps aren’t available, you may need things like:
- original employment certificate
- payslips
- graduation certificate, etc.
Step 4) Prepare your standard Japan residence documents
Typical documents include:
- Residence card
- 住民票 (Juminhyo / certificate of residence)
- Passport(s)
- Photo (licence photo size)
Exact requirements vary by prefecture/centre, so always check your local driving licence centre site.
(Example: Tokyo Metropolitan Police list requirements and notes that originals are required.)
Step 5) Go to the Driver’s Licence Centre and apply
The general flow is:
- Submit documents
- Aptitude/eyesight check
- Knowledge check (if required)
- Skills test (usually waived for UK with correct eligibility)
- Receive Japanese licence
JAF outlines this general process as the normal conversion flow.
Common UK-Specific Pitfalls (Avoid These)
“My licence is valid but I can’t prove the 3 months”
This is the #1 reason people fail or get delayed.If you renewed/replaced your licence recently, check the dates carefully — the “obtained” date used by Japan can cause confusion.
“I have a UK paper licence”
You can still convert it, but you must get a proper translation, and your old-style licence may trigger extra questions at the centre.
“I have an IDP, so I don’t need to convert”
Not true if you’re living in Japan long-term.
Also: JAF does not translate IDPs.