Converting a Malaysian License to a Japanese Driver’s License

Hello, I’m Soumame, 18 years old. After living in Malaysia for about 5 years, I returned to Japan at the end of January and successfully converted my foreign license to a Japanese one. Here’s my experience with driving in Japan.

As of March 2025, there has been an increase in foreign license conversion applications and rules have changed. Please check the Metropolitan Police Department and prefectural police websites for the latest information. The information on this page is based on personal experience. Please let me know if you notice any errors.

Introduction

What is Foreign License Conversion?

Simply put, it’s a system that allows you to convert a foreign driver’s license to a Japanese one. Similar systems exist worldwide. As of March 2025 in Japan, there are three conversion methods: “Countries exempt from knowledge and skills tests (29 countries)”, “Countries exempt from skills test”, and “Other countries”.

外国で取得した運転免許証を日本の運転免許証に切り替えるには　警視庁

www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp

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