Japan to tighten rules for foreigners' driving license switch

10/07/2025 16:36

TOKYO -- Japan's National Police Agency on Thursday unveiled a draft proposal to oblige foreigners to submit in principle residence certificates when applying to convert their driver's licenses issued abroad to Japanese ones.

Japan to tighten rules for foreigners' driving license switch- Ảnh 1.

A file photo of people walking beside test-driving cars outside a car maker's showroom in Tokyo, Japan, May 1, 2014. Photo: Reuters

After the proposal to revise regulations for implementing the road traffic law is approved and the new rules are put into effect, short-term visitors from abroad, including tourists, will become unable to switch their foreign licenses to Japanese licenses.

A knowledge test required for the switch will also be toughened.

Test-takers will need to correctly answer at least 90 pct of the 50 questions about Japanese traffic rules to pass the revised exam.

The revamped application rules and exam will take effect October 1 after public comments are sought.

The driver's license conversion system, introduced in 1933, has been mainly used by Japanese citizens living abroad when they temporarily return home.

Foreigners using the system have been increasing rapidly in recent years.

In 2024, the number of foreign users reached 68,623, up about 2.4-fold compared with 2015.

Calls for stricter regulations have increased following accidents involving vehicles driven by foreigners who obtained Japanese licenses through the conversion system.

The draft proposal requires foreigners seeking to convert their licenses under the system, excluding diplomats, professional racing drivers and U.S. troops stationed in Japan, to submit copies of their residence certificates along with their application forms.

Currently, foreigners are allowed to apply for the switch using passports and temporary residence certificates, which are issued to those temporarily staying at hotels or the homes of acquaintances in Japan.

This method will not be permitted under the stricter regulations.

Since residence certificates are not issued for foreigners staying in Japan for three months or less, such short-term visitors will be prohibited from driving in the country unless they possess international driver's licenses, excluding people from nations designated by a relevant ordinance.

For driver's license renewals, copies of residence certificates or resident cards, which are not issued without residence registration, will be required for foreigners.

Japanese nationals living abroad will need to have their identifications verified through family registry records or other official certificates.

The tougher knowledge test will include questions from all categories of Japanese traffic rules. 

The NPA will in particular request public safety commissions across the country to make sure that their exams include questions related to drunken driving and what to do when traffic accidents occur.

Currently, foreigners can pass the knowledge test by correctly answering seven of the only 10 questions asked under a true-or-false format.

The current exam has been criticized for being too easy and not covering some categories.

Driving technique exams, which are conducted after the knowledge test, will be revamped to focus more on foreign test-takers' safe driving skills.

Passing a crosswalk and a railroad crossing will be added as check items.

Actions when turning right and left will be screened more strictly.

Jiji Press

Link nội dung: https://news.tuoitre.vn/japan-to-tighten-rules-for-foreigners-driving-license-switch-103250710163549817.htm