Canadian license in Japan (gaimen kirikae): no written test
Written test: no. Practical driving test: no. A Canadian license is on the list of 29 countries and regions (the page of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), updated September 7, 2026) whose license holders skip both tests. You still need your documents and a Japanese translation of the license, and the license center decides in your case. Checked October 25, 2026.
Do you need the tests?
| Check | Canadian license |
|---|---|
| Written knowledge test (50 true/false statements, 30 minutes, pass at 45) | Not required |
| Practical driving test | Not required |
What the police pages say: Knowledge check and skill check both exempt (29 countries/regions).
Sources: MPD: how to convert a foreign license (page) (page date: updated September 7, 2026 (page states the date); checked October 25, 2026); Kanagawa Police: gaimen kirikae (page date: updated February 6, 2026; checked October 25, 2026); Osaka Police: gaimen kirikae (page date: no update date found in page text; checked October 25, 2026)
Translating your license into Japanese
Every applicant, including those from exempt countries, submits a Japanese translation of the license. Who may make it, for Canada:
- Embassy of the issuing country in Japan
- JAF
Per MPD, the Japanese translation (submitted) must be made by: the embassy of the issuing country in Japan (Taiwan: Taiwan-Japan Relations Association), JAF, ADAC (German licenses), ZIPLUS (listed countries only) or ALADDIN (listed countries only). All applicants, including exempt countries, need it. Canada is not in the ZIPLUS or ALADDIN lists.
Sources: MPD: hitsuyo shorui (kyotsu) (JA PDF, incl. translators list) (page date: file dated December 18, 2025 (PDF metadata; no date printed); checked October 25, 2026)
Documents for Canadian licenses
Tokyo MPD list of documents by country (Reiwa 8 August / 08/2026): If the passport lacks immigration stamps: 'Traveler History Report' (issuing authority/web) or documents proving the duration of stay. If the license lacks the first acquisition date: possibly 'Driver's License History' or 'Driving Record Search' (issuing authority/web).
The license center that handles your application decides which documents it needs. We do not check, prepare or submit documents for you.
Sources: MPD: kokubetsu hitsuyo shorui ichiran (JA PDF) (page date: Reiwa 8 (2026) August (list header); checked October 25, 2026); MPD: List of Required Documents by Country (EN PDF) (page date: 08/2026 (list header); PDF created September 1, 2026; checked October 25, 2026)
Next steps
- Checker: do I need the written test?
- Gaimen kirikae guide: eligibility, documents, fees, booking
- License centers: Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka
Want to see how the written test works anyway? Free 50-question practice test.
We are an independent study tool. We do not help with applications, bookings or documents.
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Sources
Last checked: . Rules and procedures can change; the license center that handles your application decides.
- MPD: how to convert a foreign license (page) (page date: updated September 7, 2026 (page states the date))
- Kanagawa Police: gaimen kirikae (page date: updated February 6, 2026)
- Osaka Police: gaimen kirikae (page date: no update date found in page text)
- MPD: hitsuyo shorui (kyotsu) (JA PDF, incl. translators list) (page date: file dated December 18, 2025 (PDF metadata; no date printed))
- MPD: kokubetsu hitsuyo shorui ichiran (JA PDF) (page date: Reiwa 8 (2026) August (list header))
- MPD: List of Required Documents by Country (EN PDF) (page date: 08/2026 (list header); PDF created September 1, 2026)