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US driver's license in Japan (gaimen kirikae): which states skip the tests

It depends on the state. A license from one of 7 states (Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, Washington) skips both tests. A license from Indiana skips only the practical driving test: the written test applies. A license from any other state means both: the written knowledge test (50 true/false statements, 30 minutes, pass at 45), then the practical test. Source: the page of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), updated September 7, 2026. Checked October 25, 2026.

The United States, state by state

GroupStatesWritten testPractical test
Exempt from both tests (7)Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, WashingtonNot requiredNot required
Written test only (1)IndianaRequiredNot required
Both tests (all other 43, including Washington, D.C.)Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, WyomingRequiredRequired

Both checks exempt: Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland, Washington. Indiana: skill check exempt only (knowledge check required). All other states: not on the official exempt list, so both required.

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 United States:

  • Embassy of the issuing country in Japan
  • JAF
  • ZIPLUS (USA 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. No official JAF country-by-country list found; JAF says some licenses cannot be translated by JAF, and it does not translate international or digital licenses (JAF PDF 2026.7). JAF translation can only be requested from within Japan. Police pages do not say whether a US embassy actually issues translations; ALADDIN is not listed for US licenses.

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); MPD: Required Documents (All applicants) (EN PDF) (page date: file dated December 4, 2025 (PDF metadata); older than the JA file - its ZIPLUS list omits the UK; checked October 25, 2026); JAF: guide to Japanese translation (PDF) (page date: 2026.7; 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)

Documents for US licenses

Tokyo MPD list of documents by country (Reiwa 8 August / 08/2026): If the passport lacks immigration stamps from the license-issuing country: documents proving the duration of stay, or I-94 (web; only for those who traveled to the US). If the license does not show the first acquisition date: possibly 'Driver Record' or 'Driver History Record' (issuing authority / web).

  • US military personnel: stay is proved by service-history certificate or military orders instead of passport; DD214 is needed for the retirement date (Kanagawa 2026-02-06).
  • Kanagawa lists Indiana inside its exempt block with the proviso that only the skill check is waived; MPD and Osaka list Indiana separately as skill-exempt only. Same substance.

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)

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Sources

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