Japan - Convert Your Foreign Drivers License to a ese Drivers License

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Procedure

Japanese Translation
You will be asked to submit a Japanese Translation of Foreign Drivers License issued by Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) when you apply for the conversion of your foreign issued driving license into a japanese one. Please be informed that obtaining translation for your foreign license does not guarantee that your application for conversion will be approved. You must also be aware that not all driver's license issued abroad may be converted, to know more inquire at your home country's embassy or consulate in Japan.

Note:JAF does not accept translation services for International Driving Permits.

In person:

1. Download the application form or obtain a copy at the JAF counter in you do not have access to the internet. If you wish to obtain a copy by fax, please contact your nearest JAF office by phone.
2. Submit your form along with your original foreign drivers license and photocopy of your residence card. Your license will be returned as soon JAF copies it. Photocopies are accepted in you are not able to bring the original license. If you are going to submit photocopies, please prepare clear copies of the front and back of the license, preferably colored, and the inscriptions on the license can be read clearly.
3. Pay the translation fee.

By mail:

1. You may send your application through mail along with a photocopy of your license (clear copies of the front and back of the license, preferably colored, and the inscriptions on the license can be read clearly). You also need to send the issuance fee of (3,000 yen) plus return postage (380 yen) by registered postal cash envelope.
2. Applications are only accepted from Japanese addresses, and the return address must be within Japan and match the address submitted on the application.

Converting your license at the Drivers License Center

1. Submit all required documents.
2. Take the aptitude test
3. Your knowledge about traffic rules will also be checked.
4. Practical driving test (You will be is asked to actually drive a vehicle at a course in the Drivers License Center.)
5. Once you have passed all the test, the Center will issue your japanese drivers license.

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Required Documents

Japanese Translation

• Application form for Japanese Translation of foreign drivers license
• Original foreign drivers license
• Photocopy of your residence card. This is only required for licenses written in Arabic or Russian and licenses issued in certain countries, including the Republic of Korea, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Union of Myanmar.

Converting your license at the Drivers License Center
For list of documents that you needed to submit, information on application fee and tests, please contact the Drivers License Center that has jurisdiction over the region in which the applicant resides.

Office Locations & Contacts

Japan Automobile Federation Service Counters
List of Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Japan

Eligibility

• The applicants foreign drivers license must be valid (expired licenses can't be transferred to japanese one).
• The applicant must be able to prove that he or she stayed in the issuing country for at least a total of three months after obtaining the license.

Fees

Japanese Translation of Foreign Drivers License: 3,000 yen per license

Note: JAF will not refund the translation issuance fee even if the application for a Japanese Driver's License is rejected by the Drivers License Center. A fee of 3,000 yen is also charged for re-issuance when the license is lost or for other reason.

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Instructions regarding japanese translation of your foreign license

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents which would help other people who would like to follow this procedure.    

Processing Time

Japanese Translation
Your translation will be ready on the same day up to two weeks. Processing time varies depending on the issuing country, condition, content of the drivers license, and JAF Branch Office.

Translating licenses written in Arabic or Russian and licenses issued in certain countries, including the Republic of Korea, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Union of Myanmar normally takes two to three weeks to finished.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type="website">video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the "&" inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver, 
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M" Video ID is "Y0US7oR_t3M". 
	

Instructions

Applications to convert foreign issued driver's license into a japanese driver's license are submitted at the Drivers License Center.

Required Information

A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure.
e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or County of Birth.

Need for the Document

A driver's license is a legal document issued by the state. It expresses a persons capability to operate a motorized vehicle, such as a motorcycle, car, truck or a bus, on a public roadway. Laws relating to the issuance of licenses vary between jurisdictions.

Foreigners who are currently residing in Japan have the option of converting their driver's license issued abroad to a japanese driver's license.

Information which might help

Enter other informations which might help

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

• Japan Automobile Federation:

http://www.jaf.or.jp/inter/translation/index_e.htm

Others

More information which might help people.