Chinese license in Japan (gaimen kirikae): written test and documents

What the police pages say: Not on the exempt list: knowledge check (50 true/false questions) and skill check both required. Skill check must be passed while the foreign license is valid (Kanagawa, Osaka).

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)

Every applicant, including those from exempt countries, submits a Japanese translation of the license. Who may make it, for China:

• Embassy of the issuing country in Japan
• JAF
• ZIPLUS (China listed by MPD)
• ALADDIN (China listed by MPD)

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. For Chinese licenses JAF's application also needs the supplementary page (fuye), front and back (JAF PDF 2026.7).

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); JAF: guide to Japanese translation (PDF) (page date: 2026.7; checked October 25, 2026)

Tokyo MPD list of documents by country (Reiwa 8 August / 08/2026): 1) Basic information (jiben xinxi) with the official seal of the Vehicle Administration Office. Beijing: 4 certificates (license, accident record, traffic violations, 12-point) with official seal also acceptable. Tianjin: registration information with official seal also acceptable. 2) One of: achievement certificate or history certificate with the Vehicle Administration Office seal (electronic seal if obtained from the web); credit status (violations, accidents); printout of the digital driver's license (must show face photo, name, QR code, address, category and acquisition date). If two or more categories: documents showing the acquisition date of each. Plus entry/exit records for 10 years (web, from the National Immigration Administration; applying online in advance and bringing the printout greatly reduces waiting time).

• JAF does not translate digital licenses; MPD accepts a printout of the digital license only as a supporting document, not in place of the license card.

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)