Regional Guide

Japan Driving Test by Prefecture: What to Expect at Each Centre

By JapanDriveTest Team · 8 min read

The gaimen kirikae experience varies significantly depending on which driving licence centre you attend. Wait times, language support, practical test courses, and even the general atmosphere differ from one prefecture to another. This guide covers the major centres so you know exactly what to expect on test day.

How the System Works

Each of Japan's 47 prefectures has at least one unten menkyo senta (driving licence centre) that processes gaimen kirikae applications. You must apply at the centre in the prefecture where you are registered as a resident (based on your zairyu card address). You cannot choose a different prefecture's centre.

Most centres handle gaimen kirikae only on specific days of the week, and some require advance reservations. Always check the centre's website or call ahead before visiting.

Tokyo: Fuchu Driving Licence Centre

  • Location: Fuchu City, Tokyo (west of central Tokyo)
  • Access: 5-minute walk from Tama Station (JR Musashino Line) or bus from Fuchu Station (Keio Line)
  • Gaimen kirikae days: Monday to Friday (excluding holidays). Applications accepted in the morning only (arrive by 8:30 AM)
  • Wait times: High. Fuchu is the busiest centre in Japan for foreign licence conversions. Expect 3-5 hours for the full process. Some days require a return visit for the practical test
  • Language support: Written test available in English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Persian, Thai, Russian, and other languages. Staff speak limited English
  • Practical test course: Includes S-curves, a crank course, intersection turns, and a short straight section. The course is compact and well-marked
  • Tips: Arrive at least 30 minutes before the window opens. Bring a book — the wait is long. The practical test may be scheduled for a different day if slots are full

Tokyo: Samezu Driving Licence Centre

  • Location: Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo (south of central Tokyo, near Haneda Airport)
  • Access: 5-minute walk from Samezu Station (Keikyu Line)
  • Gaimen kirikae days: Monday to Friday. Morning application window only
  • Wait times: Slightly lower than Fuchu, but still significant. Plan for a full day
  • Language support: Same multilingual test options as Fuchu
  • Practical test course: Similar layout to Fuchu. Some applicants report the course feels slightly more spacious
  • Tips: If you live in eastern Tokyo, Samezu is more convenient than Fuchu. The practical test pass rate is comparable at both locations

Osaka: Kadoma Driving Licence Centre

  • Location: Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture
  • Access: Bus from Furukawabashi Station (Keihan Line) or Kadoma-shi Station (Osaka Metro)
  • Gaimen kirikae days: Specific days of the week (check the Osaka Prefectural Police website). Advance reservation may be required
  • Wait times: Moderate to high. Osaka has a large foreign resident population
  • Language support: English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Vietnamese, and several other languages for the written test
  • Practical test course: Standard layout with S-curves, crank, and intersection practice
  • Tips: Osaka staff are known for being thorough during document review. Double-check every document before arriving. The three-month residency proof is scrutinised carefully

Aichi (Nagoya): Heian Driving Licence Centre

  • Location: Tenpaku Ward, Nagoya City
  • Access: Bus from Hirabari Station (Nagoya Municipal Subway Tsurumai Line)
  • Gaimen kirikae days: Specific weekdays. Advance reservation increasingly required
  • Wait times: Moderate. Generally shorter than Tokyo and Osaka
  • Language support: English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese (large Brazilian community in Aichi), and Spanish
  • Practical test course: Well-maintained course. Some applicants report the examiners here are particularly strict about observation checks (mirror and head checks)
  • Tips: Aichi has a large manufacturing and automotive workforce with many foreign residents. Portuguese language support is particularly well-established due to the Brazilian community

Hokkaido: Sapporo Driving Licence Centre

  • Location: Teine Ward, Sapporo City
  • Access: Bus from Teine Station (JR Hakodate Line)
  • Gaimen kirikae days: Specific weekdays. Lower volume means scheduling is generally easier
  • Wait times: Lower than major city centres. The process may be completed in half a day
  • Language support: English, Chinese, Korean. Fewer language options than Tokyo or Osaka
  • Practical test course: Standard layout. Winter testing may include icy conditions which are not present at other centres
  • Tips: If testing in winter, be aware that the course surface may be icy or snow-covered. Demonstrate slow, controlled driving and extra caution. Sapporo historically has slightly higher pass rates than Tokyo and Osaka

Fukuoka: Fukuoka Driving Licence Centre

  • Location: Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City
  • Access: Bus from Hakata Station or Fukuoka Airport
  • Gaimen kirikae days: Specific weekdays. Check the Fukuoka Prefectural Police website
  • Wait times: Moderate. Growing foreign population means wait times have increased in recent years
  • Language support: English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese. Reflecting Fukuoka's proximity to Korea and growing Southeast Asian community
  • Practical test course: Standard course layout
  • Tips: Fukuoka is increasingly popular with foreign residents due to its lower cost of living. The centre staff are generally helpful but speak limited English

General Tips for Any Centre

  • Arrive early: Most centres have a limited morning window for gaimen kirikae applications. Arriving late means being turned away
  • Bring all documents: Missing even one document means you come back another day. Use our checklist in the complete gaimen kirikae guide
  • Expect Japanese-only communication: While the written test is multilingual, administrative interactions are primarily in Japanese. Bring a Japanese-speaking friend if possible
  • Dress appropriately: Business casual is appropriate. Some applicants report that appearing well-prepared creates a positive impression during the practical test
  • Practice the specific course: If possible, take a practice lesson at a driving school near the licence centre. Many schools offer courses that simulate the exact test route
  • Be patient: The process is bureaucratic and time-consuming. Frustration will not speed things up

Pass Rates by Region (Post-October 2025)

Region Estimated Written Pass Rate Estimated Practical Pass Rate
Tokyo25-35%30-40%
Osaka20-30%25-35%
Nagoya25-35%30-40%
Sapporo35-42%35-45%
Fukuoka22-32%28-38%

Key Takeaways

  • You must apply at the centre in your registered prefecture of residence
  • Tokyo centres (Fuchu and Samezu) have the longest wait times in Japan
  • Written test language support varies by centre — confirm your language is available
  • Arrival time matters — most centres only accept morning applications
  • Pass rates have dropped across all prefectures since October 2025
  • Taking a practice lesson at a local driving school significantly improves practical test chances

Prepare for Any Centre

The written test content is the same nationwide. Practice all 22 topics here.

Take a Practice Exam