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

Written test: yes. Practical driving test: yes. A Philippine license is not on the exemption list on the page of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), updated September 7, 2026, so converting it in Japan means the written knowledge test (50 true/false statements, 30 minutes, pass at 45) and then the practical driving test. Checked October 25, 2026.

Do you need the tests?

CheckPhilippine license
Written knowledge test (50 true/false statements, 30 minutes, pass at 45)Required
Practical driving testRequired

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)

Translating your license into Japanese

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

  • Embassy of the issuing country in Japan
  • JAF
  • ZIPLUS (Philippines 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 Philippine licenses JAF's application also needs an image of an official receipt showing license number and issue date, or an LTO certificate (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)

Documents for Philippine licenses

Tokyo MPD list of documents by country (Reiwa 8 August / 08/2026): Certification with APOSTILLE, License History, Official Receipt, and Immigration Record with APOSTILLE (the Immigration Record only if the stay within the validity period of the license cannot be verified with the passport). Obtain from the issuing authority (home country).

  • MPD common note: the skill check is usually scheduled 3-4 months after booking and the foreign license must be valid that day.

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

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Sources

Last checked: . Rules and procedures can change; the license center that handles your application decides.