# Getting a Japanese driver's license in Chinese (日本驾照考试): tests, conversion and free practice

URL: https://japanhow.com/driving/license/japan-driving-license-in-chinese/
Author: JapanHow editors
Updated: Oct 23, 2026

## Summary

A Mainland China license can't be used to drive in Japan: China is not a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention, so it issues no IDP valid in Japan. You can convert it (外免切替) after 3 months in China post-issue, with a 50-question knowledge test (45 to pass) and a driving test, or learn at a school. As of October 2026, written tests are in Chinese in Tokyo, Osaka, Aichi and other prefectures. Taiwan licenses skip both conversion tests; Hong Kong and Macau IDPs are valid.

## Key facts

- China IDP in Japan: Not valid (no Geneva 1949)
- Tests in Chinese: 仮免, 本免, conversion, moped
- Conversion test: 50 questions, 45 to pass
- Taiwan licenses: Skip both conversion tests

If you hold a **Mainland China** driver's license, you can't use it to drive in Japan, and Japan accepts no Chinese international driving permit (IDP), because China is not a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention. You need a Japanese license: convert yours (外免切替) with a **50-question knowledge test (45 to pass)** and a driving test, or learn at a school or test at a license center.

Conversion needs at least 3 months in China after your license was issued.

The good news: as of October 2026 the written tests are offered **in Chinese** in Tokyo, Osaka, Aichi and many other prefectures.

**Free practice in Chinese:** our [practice app in Chinese](/driving/practice-test/app/?lang=zh) has picture lessons, 274 true/false questions in the official format, hazard pictures and mock exams for the learner's permit, the full license and conversion.

**中文摘要:** 中国大陆的驾照不能在日本直接开车，中国也不签发在日本有效的国际驾照。取得日本驾照有三条路线：**驾校**（指定自动车教习所）、**在考场直接考试**（一发试验），或**把中国驾照换成日本驾照**（外免切替）。东京、大阪、爱知等地的笔试可以用中文参加；换证的知识考试共50题，答对45题合格。我们的[免费中文练习工具](/driving/practice-test/app/?lang=zh)不需要注册。

China is the largest foreign community in Japan, with 941,031 residents at the end of June 2026 according to the Immigration Services Agency, so this page is written mainly for Mainland readers. Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau licenses are treated differently, and we note where.

## Can I drive on my Chinese license or an IDP?

No, for a Mainland license. The National Police Agency (警察庁) says you may drive in Japan with a Japanese license, an IDP issued under the Geneva Convention (道路交通に関する条約), or a license plus Japanese translation from a short list of places: Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan. Mainland China is in none of these groups. The UN treaty record does not list China as a party, and the Tokyo police list of Geneva states (updated July 2, 2026) does not include it.

| License from | Drive on a visit? | Convert: tests? |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland China | No IDP valid in Japan; no translation route | Knowledge test and driving test |
| Hong Kong, Macau | Yes, with a Geneva IDP (China applies the convention to both) | Knowledge test and driving test |
| Taiwan | Yes, with the license plus a Japanese translation | Both tests skipped |

An IDP or translated license works for up to one year from landing, and you can't convert an IDP itself. Details: [driving in Japan on an international driving permit](/driving/license/international-driving-permit-japan/).

## Three routes to a Japanese license

**1. Driving school (驾校, 指定自動車教習所).** You learn at a designated school, pass its learner's permit (仮免, karimen) test, graduate, then take the final written test (本免) at your prefecture's license center. A commuting school usually takes 2 to 3 months; a driving camp (合宿免許, gasshuku menkyo) about 14 days for an automatic (AT) license. See [driving camps for foreigners](/driving/schools/gasshuku-menkyo-foreigners/) and [English driving schools](/driving/schools/english-driving-schools-japan/).

**2. Direct test at the center (一发试验, 一発試験).** You take every test at the license center yourself. Osaka's steps:

**3. Converting your Chinese license (换证, 外免切替).** For people who already drive in China; covered below.

## Are the tests offered in Chinese?

Yes. In May 2024 the National Police Agency told all prefectural police to offer written tests in 20 languages, Chinese among them, for the learner's permit, the full license and the conversion knowledge test. What we confirmed, as of October 2026:

| Prefecture | Chinese tests | Schedule and booking |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo (警視庁, page updated May 11, 2026) | 仮免, 本免 (first and second class), moped (原付), conversion | Any weekday. 本免 at Fuchu, Samezu and Koto; 仮免 and conversion at Fuchu and Samezu |
| Osaka (大阪府警察) | Every license except small special vehicles (小型特殊), incl. moped | All written tests booked online; Osaka residents only |
| Aichi (愛知県警察) | 仮免, 本免, moped | Monday and Wednesday at the main test center; Thursday at Higashi-Mikawa |
| Aichi, conversion test | Conversion knowledge test | Wednesday and Friday, 13:30 |
| Saitama (埼玉県警察) | 仮免, 本免, moped | Since August 30, 2024 |
| Kyoto (京都府警察) | Conversion knowledge test | 20 languages kept after the 2025 reform |

Unlike some languages, Chinese is also offered for the **moped** test in Tokyo, Osaka, Aichi and Saitama. No page we read says whether the Chinese is Simplified or Traditional characters. Other prefectures: check your police page before you book.

**Learning in Chinese is rarer than testing in Chinese.** Classroom lectures at the schools booking agent Mucho lists are in Japanese. Mucho lists five schools with Chinese textbooks and eight with a Chinese learner's permit test, and says one, Atago Driving School (あたご自動車学校), can give lessons (教習) in Chinese. The i-drive camp desk answers in Chinese, but its camps run in Japanese. Japan License Connect, a school-search site launched in June 2026, is available in Chinese (per its press release).

## Converting a Chinese license (外免切替)

The October 1, 2025 reform applies to everyone. You need:

- a **valid** Chinese license, and **3 months or more in China** after it was issued, counted in total, proven by passport stamps
- a **住民票** (residence record) with all the items for foreign residents, such as your status of residence and period of stay; tourists can no longer convert
- a **Japanese translation** from JAF, ZIPLUS or the 訪日運転者支援協会 (ALADDIN), or from the issuing authority or its embassy. JAF charges ¥6,600 and takes 5 to 10 business days for most countries; for a Chinese license it also asks for the license's subpage (副页)
- your passports, a photo and the fees

China is **not** on the list of 29 countries and regions that skip the tests, so you take the **knowledge test** (50 questions, 45 correct to pass; Chinese available) and the **driving test** on the center's course. In Tokyo, non-exempt licenses go to Fuchu or Samezu; Osaka books non-exempt countries by phone in Japanese in set time windows.

Chinese applicants need extra documents. Tokyo's country list (as of August 2026) asks for a 基本信息 record sealed by the vehicle management office (车辆管理所), one more record such as a 成绩证明, 经历证明, violation and accident record or a printout of your digital license, and **10 years of entry and exit records**, which it suggests you request online from the National Immigration Administration (国家移民管理局) and print in advance. Tokyo publishes its document lists in Chinese, and wants originals. Osaka's list asks for entry and exit records. Gifu lists a resident ID card (居民身分証), 基本信息, a medical certificate and 10 years of entry and exit records, as originals. Ask your own center for its China list. Waits can be long: Gifu says about 2 months to the document review and about 5 more to the tests. Full process: [how to convert a foreign license in Japan](/driving/license/convert-foreign-license-japan/).

**Taiwan:** on the exempt list, so no knowledge or driving test; in Tokyo, exempt licenses can also go to the Koto center. The translation can come from the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association (台湾日本関係協会) or JAF. **Hong Kong and Macau:** not exempt, so both tests apply.

## What does it cost?

| Item (regular car) | Cost, October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Driving camp, Ibaraki Kennan (Chinese textbooks), AT, dorm | ¥231,000 (Nov 2026 entry) to ¥297,000 (late Dec) incl. tax |
| City school English course, Koyama, AT | ¥432,520 incl. tax |
| Final test at the center after school (Osaka) | ¥1,900 test + ¥2,350 license |
| Direct test, all fees and courses (Osaka) | ¥29,200 if you pass every test first time |
| Conversion (Tokyo) | ¥2,500 application + ¥2,350 license |
| JAF translation for conversion | ¥6,600 |

The Osaka direct-test total adds ¥2,950, ¥1,100 and ¥1,750 for the learner's permit, ¥2,500, ¥2,350 and ¥800 for the full license, and ¥12,200 plus ¥5,550 for the required courses. Each retake costs more. Camp prices change by season and school.

## Practice in Chinese, free

Our [practice app in Chinese](/driving/practice-test/app/?lang=zh) (免费中文练习) has:

- picture lessons on the rules
- 274 true/false questions in the official test format, plus hazard pictures
- mock exams for the learner's permit (仮免), the full license (本免) and conversion (外免切替)
- furigana on Japanese terms, so you learn the words used at the center
- progress saved in your browser, no account

It is independent practice, not the official test, and the questions on the real test are different. The English version and the full overview are on our [driving test practice page](/driving/practice-test/).

**We give general information, not legal advice:** Rules and documents differ by prefecture and nationality and can change. Check your license center's page before you book, and ask the center if your case is unusual.

## Questions people ask

### Can I drive in Japan with a Chinese driver's license?

Not a Mainland China license. China is not a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention, so it has no IDP valid in Japan, and it is not on the translation route. You need a Japanese license, by conversion or through the tests.

### Is the Japanese driving test available in Chinese (日本驾照考试题中文版)?

Yes, in many prefectures. Tokyo offers Chinese for the learner's permit, full license, moped and conversion tests on weekdays; Osaka for every license except small special vehicles; Aichi on set weekdays. Pages don't say whether the Chinese is Simplified or Traditional.

### How do I convert a Chinese license to a Japanese one (中国驾照换日本驾照流程)?

You need 3 months in China after the license was issued, a 住民票, a Japanese translation and your passports. China is not test-exempt, so you take a 50-question knowledge test (45 to pass) and a driving test. Tokyo and Gifu also ask Chinese applicants for extra documents, including 10 years of entry and exit records.

### How much does a Japanese driver's license cost (日本考驾照多少钱)?

As of October 2026, one camp school with Chinese textbooks charges ¥231,000 to ¥297,000 for an AT license, and a Tokyo-area school's English course costs ¥432,520. The direct test at the Osaka center costs ¥29,200 in fees if you pass first time. Converting costs ¥4,850 in Tokyo for a regular car, plus a translation (¥6,600 at JAF).

### Do Taiwanese drivers need to take a test in Japan (台湾人 日本考驾照)?

Not to convert. Taiwan is on the list of 29 countries and regions that skip both the knowledge and driving tests. Visitors drive on a Taiwan license with a Japanese translation, not an IDP.

## Sources

- [Convention on Road Traffic, Geneva 1949: status](https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetailsV.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-1&chapter=11&Temp=mtdsg5&clang=_en), United Nations Treaty Collection (accessed Oct 23, 2026)
- [ジュネーブ条約締約国等に関する情報](https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/menkyo/menkyo/kokugai/kokugai04.html), Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (警視庁) (accessed Oct 23, 2026)
- [外国の運転免許をお持ちの方](https://www.npa.go.jp/policies/application/license_renewal/have_DL_issed_another_country.html), National Police Agency (警察庁) (accessed Oct 23, 2026)
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- [外免切替手続の見直し](https://www.cas.go.jp/jp/seisaku/symbiotic_society/pdf/Initiatives_egarding_foreign_license_conversion.pdf), National Police Agency (警察庁), via Cabinet Secretariat (accessed Oct 20, 2026)
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