If you’re staying in Fukuoka long-term and have kids, you’ll probably want a car eventually — for hospital runs, weekend Aso/Yufuin trips, costco hauls. International driving permits are valid only 1 year; after that, you need a Japanese license. This guide walks you through the conversion process (gaimen kirikae) at the Fukuoka License Center, what to bring, who gets the easy route, and what the practical exam looks like.
Three paths to a Japanese license
1. Conversion (gaimen kirikae) — easy route
- For residents of countries with reciprocal agreements: UK, Australia, Germany, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Korea, Taiwan, etc.
- Required: foreign license + proof you held it 3+ months in your home country before moving to Japan
- Process: paperwork + eye test + brief written test (translated, multiple choice) — no driving exam
- Time: 1 day; cost ~¥3,000–4,000
2. Conversion with practical test — for US, Canada, others
- For countries without full reciprocity (US, Canada, China, Singapore, etc.)
- Same paperwork as above + practical driving exam on test course
- Pass rate: low first try (~30%); plan for 2–3 attempts
- Time: half-day per attempt; cost ~¥4,500/attempt
3. Full Japanese driving school (no foreign license, or expired)
- 30+ hours classroom + 30+ hours practical at driving school
- Cost: ¥250,000–350,000
- Time: 2–4 months
- If you already drive but can’t convert, this is your path
Documents needed for conversion
- Valid foreign driver’s license
- Official translation of foreign license — JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) provides for ~¥3,000; mail-in or in-person
- Passport (with stamps showing 3+ months residence in country of license issuance)
- Residence card (zairyu card) showing Fukuoka address
- Juminhyo (resident certificate) — get at ward office
- Photo: 30x24mm, 6 months old, no glasses, plain background
- Application fee: ~¥3,000 in revenue stamps; pay at the license center
The Fukuoka License Center
- Location: Higashi-ku Hakozaki (Fukuoka Driver’s License Center, 福岡県警察 運転免許試験場)
- Hours: Foreign license conversion: by appointment, weekdays only (8:30-11:00 reception)
- Bus from Hakata Station; some parking
- Foreign license conversion only at this center, not local police stations
- Reservation required — book online or by phone 2–4 weeks in advance
What happens on the day
Morning: paperwork and screening
- Check-in 8:30 AM
- Document review (15–30 min) — staff confirms eligibility
- Eye test (eyesight, color, peripheral)
- Hearing test (basic)
- Quick health questionnaire
Afternoon: written test
- 10 multiple-choice questions (English available)
- Pass mark: 7/10 — easy if you read Japanese road basics beforehand
- Common mistakes: pedestrian-priority rules, blind-spot stop signs
- Free study resource: JAF “Rules of the Road” book
If practical test required
- 10–15 min closed course drive in their car
- Examiner sits next to you; gives Japanese commands (basic English sometimes)
- Test maneuvers: lane changing, S-curves, crank turn (90-degree backing), narrow lane
- Common fails: overconfident speed, missing safety checks (mirror tap, head turn), incorrect signaling
- Recommended: take 1–2 hours of practice with a local driving school first (~¥10,000)
Practical exam tips
- Exaggerate safety checks: tap mirrors, turn head — Japanese exam expects visible motion
- Drive slowly: 30km/h max on most course sections
- Stop fully at every stop sign: 3 seconds, foot on brake, look both ways
- Signal early: 30m before turns/lane changes (Japan expects long signals)
- Don’t cross center line: even slightly fails immediately
- Stop at edges of curbs: don’t drive over them
After passing
- Photo taken at center
- License issued same day (~3 hours after pass)
- Valid 3 years initially; renewal 5 years thereafter
- Cost includes: written test + practical (if needed) + license issuance
Driving with kids in Japan
- Car seats mandatory: under 6 years old
- Speed limits: 30–60 km/h urban, 80–100 km/h expressway
- Drinking-driving zero tolerance — even ¥0.01 alcohol = automatic license suspension
- Most family rentals have automatic; manual rare
- Cars come with ETC (highway pass) for tolls — separate setup
Buying or renting a family car
- Buy used: kei-car (yellow plate) ¥500K–¥1M; minivan (Voxy, Serena) ¥1M–¥3M
- New car loan: requires Japanese license + bank account + 6+ months income; foreign residents often need guarantor
- Long-term rental (Carshare): Times Car ~¥800/hr; popular for families without daily driving need
- Inspection (shaken): every 2 years, ¥80K–¥150K — major recurring cost
Special situations
License expired in your home country
- Cannot convert — need full driving school path
- Some countries allow renewal in absentia; check with consulate
Multiple licenses (e.g., US + Canada)
- Use the one that gives easiest conversion (e.g., German if you have it, then US for backup)
- Each license requires separate JAF translation
Spouse on dependent visa
- Same rules apply — visa type doesn’t affect license conversion
- Address registration is the only Japan requirement