Are you staying in Tokyo and planning to convert your Chinese driver's license to a Japanese one? This article systematically sorts out the Tokyo foreign driver's license conversion process, web-based reservation procedures, required document checklist, service division of the Samezu, Fuchu and Koto Driver's License Examination Centers, relevant fees and common stumbling points, in strict accordance with the rules updated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on April 15, 2026.

2026 Latest Guide to Converting a Chinese Driver's License to a Japanese Driver's License in Tokyo

If you are currently in Tokyo and searching for the following questions:

Converting Chinese driver's license to Japanese driver's license in Tokyo
Tokyo foreign license conversion process
Tokyo driver's license conversion test reservation
How long does it take to get the converted license via Tokyo foreign license conversion
Required documents for converting Chinese driver's license to Japanese driver's license in Tokyo
Is Samezu the only venue available for Tokyo foreign license conversion

This guide is made specifically for applicants in Tokyo.

To start with the conclusion: You can convert a Chinese driver's license to a Japanese driver's license in Tokyo, but applicants holding a Chinese mainland driver's license are generally not exempt from both the Knowledge Check and Skill Check, so most people need to prepare for the full process of "document review + Knowledge Check + Skill Check".
In addition, the page updated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on April 15, 2026 clearly states that foreign license conversion operates on a reservation system, and the Skill Check cannot be taken on the day of application acceptance.

I. Check Your Eligibility First Before Starting the Conversion in Tokyo

According to the official page of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Tokyo foreign license conversion requires at least the following qualifications:

Hold a valid foreign driver's license
After obtaining the foreign driver's license, you have stayed in the issuing country or region for a total of 3 months or more
Your residence is located within the Tokyo Metropolis
Meet the age, eyesight and other requirements corresponding to the vehicle class you apply for

For most Chinese driver's license applicants, the two most likely points to fail are:

After obtaining your Chinese driver's license, have you actually stayed in China for a total of 3 months or more
Can you provide documents such as passport and entry-exit records to clearly prove this 3-month stay

II. 2026 Version of Tokyo Foreign License Conversion Process

The Tokyo process can be directly divided into 7 steps:

Confirm that your residence is located in Tokyo
Prepare the original Chinese driver's license and all required documents
Obtain the official Japanese translation of your driver's license first
Make a reservation in accordance with the rules of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
Go to the designated examination center to complete application acceptance and document review
Take the Knowledge Check
Make a separate reservation for the Skill Check, and you will be issued a Japanese driver's license after passing it

Note the most critical point here:

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has clearly specified that the Skill Check operates on a reservation system, and it cannot be taken on the day of application acceptance.

So if you search "Can I finish the entire Tokyo foreign license conversion process in one day", the realistic answer for Chinese driver's license applicants is usually: You cannot complete the whole process in a single day.

III. How to Make a Reservation for Tokyo Driver's License Conversion Test

1. Who is Eligible for Web Reservation

The page updated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on April 15, 2026 states that Web reservation applicants must at least meet:

After obtaining the foreign driver's license, the total length of stay in the issuing country or region is 3 months or more
Reside within the Tokyo Metropolis (including temporary stay)

If you meet these two conditions, you can make a Web reservation for Tokyo foreign license conversion through the official online system of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.

2. Who is the Target for Tokyo Phone Reservation

The same page also notes that certain special applicants need to make reservations via phone, for example:

Persons holding diplomatic-related identification documents
Specific scenarios related to applications under the Specified Skills Worker system

For these cases, you need to contact the Driver's License Examination Center directly during the specified service hours.

3. Most Common Mistakes in Tokyo Driver's License Conversion Reservation

Many people do not fail the tests, but get stuck because they do not read the pre-reservation requirements carefully. The most common misconceptions in Tokyo include:

Assuming everyone can directly grab a reservation for the regular subject test
Assuming foreign license conversion shares the same reservation entrance as other subject tests
Assuming you can be arranged to take the Skill Check directly on the day of application

The page of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department titled "Full Reservation System for Subject Tests" has a special note:
The reservation for foreign license conversion procedures does not use the reservation entrance for regular subject tests, you need to enter from the dedicated foreign license conversion page.

IV. Where to Handle Tokyo Foreign License Conversion: Differences Between Samezu, Fuchu and Koto

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department lists 3 implementation venues:

Fuchu Driver's License Examination Center
Samezu Driver's License Examination Center
Koto Driver's License Examination Center

1. Fuchu and Samezu

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department clearly states:

Fuchu Driver's License Examination Center
Samezu Driver's License Examination Center

These two examination centers accept foreign license conversion for all countries and regions.

This is very important for Chinese driver's license applicants, as it explicitly tells you:

For people holding a Chinese driver's license applying for foreign license conversion in Tokyo, Fuchu or Samezu should be your primary options.

2. Koto Examination Center

Not all applicants can handle the conversion at Koto Examination Center.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department clearly specifies:

Koto Examination Center only accepts driver's licenses from 29 specific countries and regions
These countries and regions are the targets exempt from the Knowledge Check and Skill Check

This list includes the UK, South Korea, Germany, France, Taiwan etc., but does not include the Chinese mainland.

So if you search "Can I go to Koto to convert my Chinese driver's license in Tokyo", the more reliable answer is:

Do not take Koto as your default option. Chinese mainland driver's license applicants should generally choose Fuchu or Samezu.

V. Required Documents for Converting Chinese Driver's License to Japanese Driver's License in Tokyo

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department clearly prompts on the foreign license conversion page:

Required documents vary depending on the issuing country and specific situation of license acquisition
You need to refer to three PDF documents together: "Common Required Documents", "Country-Specific Required Documents" and "Notes"
In principle, you must bring the original version of all required documents

For Chinese driver's license applicants, it is practically recommended to prepare the following set of documents by default:

Original Chinese driver's license
Japanese translation of the driver's license
Original passport
Documents that can prove you have stayed in China for a total of 3 months or more after obtaining the driver's license
Juminhyo (Resident Record)
Zairyu Card (Residence Card)
ID photo
If the first license issuance date is not shown on your driver's license, supplement with a license history certificate or other supporting materials

1. Document Rules Have Been Stricter Since October 2025 in Tokyo

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department specially notes on the same page:

Since October 1, 2025, after the revision of the Road Traffic Law Enforcement Regulations, the procedures and required documents for foreign license conversion have changed.

Among them, the requirements for address and identity verification documents for foreign applicants have been significantly tightened. For foreign applicants who are subject to the Basic Resident Register Act, one of the core documents listed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is:

Juminhyo (Resident Record) with specific required items recorded

Therefore, applicants in Tokyo should no longer fully refer to old guides published before 2024.

VI. How to Get the Japanese Translation of Your Driver's License in Tokyo

The reference translation agencies listed on the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department page include:

JAF (Japan Automobile Federation)
ZIPLUS Co., Ltd.
General Incorporated Association Visiting Drivers Support Association

For Chinese driver's license applicants, JAF is still the most commonly used option.

1. How Early Should You Prepare the Japanese Translation of Your Driver's License in Tokyo

It is recommended that you do not delay the translation process until after you make the reservation.
A more reliable order is:

Confirm that you do need to handle the conversion in Tokyo
Prepare your passport and the supporting logic for your stay proof
Complete the translation as soon as possible
Finally make the reservation for foreign license conversion

2. 2026 JAF Translation Fee

JAF announced on March 2, 2026:
The fee for Japanese translation of foreign driver's licenses will be adjusted from 4,000 JPY to 6,000 JPY starting from April 1, 2026.

So when you search for "Tokyo foreign license conversion cost", do not estimate the translation cost based on the old price.

VII. Tokyo Foreign License Conversion Fees

The basic handling fees listed on the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department page are as follows:

Regular vehicle class: 2,500 JPY
Moped class: 1,600 JPY
Large / medium / semi-medium vehicle class: 3,900 JPY
Other classes: 2,800 JPY
License issuance fee: 2,350 JPY
Additional vehicle class notation fee: 200 JPY

If you are applying for the most common scenario of converting a Chinese driver's license to a regular Japanese driver's license, the minimum estimated cost is as follows:

Application handling fee 2,500 JPY
License issuance fee 2,350 JPY
JAF translation fee 6,000 JPY

This does not include:

Photo cost
Transportation cost
Retest cost if you fail the Skill Check later

Therefore, the actual total cost of Tokyo foreign license conversion is usually higher than the "a few thousand JPY total" mentioned in many old posts.

VIII. How Long Does It Take to Get the Converted License via Tokyo Foreign License Conversion

There is no universal fixed answer for all applicants, but the official rules in Tokyo have clearly explained the realistic situation:

Foreign license conversion operates on a reservation system
The Skill Check operates on a reservation system
The Skill Check cannot be taken on the day of application acceptance

This means that most Chinese driver's license applicants need to visit the venue more than once.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Reservation for Tokyo Foreign License Conversion

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department page does not give a unified waiting period, as the scheduling situation fluctuates.
A more realistic understanding is:

The document acceptance appointment is scheduled first
The Skill Check appointment is scheduled later
If you need to supplement documents, the overall time will be extended further

How Long Does It Take to Get the Converted License

If your documents are complete, you pass the Knowledge Check smoothly, you pass the Skill Check on the first attempt, and the interval between reservations is short, the whole process will be much faster. But if you ask "Can I usually finish the whole Tokyo Chinese driver's license conversion process on the same day", the answer is still: Do not expect that.

IX. Most Common Stumbling Blocks for Converting Chinese Driver's License to Japanese Driver's License in Tokyo

1. Unclear 3-month Stay Proof

This is the most common pitfall. It is not enough to "hold a Chinese driver's license", you need to prove:

When you obtained this driver's license
Whether you actually stayed in China for a total of 3 months after obtaining it

2. Assuming Koto Examination Center Also Accepts Chinese Driver's License Conversion

Many people are misled by the statement that "there are 3 examination centers in Tokyo". But Koto Examination Center only serves applicants from exemption countries, Chinese mainland driver's license applicants should not take Koto as an option.

3. Assuming You Can Take the Skill Check on the Day of Application

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has clearly stated:
Since the Skill Check operates on a reservation system, it cannot be taken on the day of application acceptance.

4. Only Refer to Summaries Shared by Others, Without Checking the Country-Specific PDF on the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Page

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department itself has specified:

Common required documents
Country-specific required documents
Notes

You need to refer to the three documents together. If Chinese driver's license applicants only refer to experience posts on social media, they are very likely to miss details such as "original document requirement", "first license issuance date" and "specific items on Juminhyo".

X. Should You Choose Samezu or Fuchu for Your Tokyo Chinese Driver's License Conversion

If you care about efficiency, the official does not state that one is definitely faster than the other. A more reliable judgment standard is:

Which examination center is more convenient for you to reach
Whether you can follow its reservation schedule to visit the venue
Whether it is more convenient for you to attend subsequent Skill Check, supplement documents and revisit the venue

So for the question "Should I choose Samezu or Fuchu in Tokyo", do not blindly trust a single experience post online. For Chinese driver's license applicants, successfully getting a reservation and passing the document review at one time is usually more important than struggling to choose between the two centers.

XI. Is Tokyo Foreign License Conversion Difficult

If you only ask "Is the test difficult", this question is incomplete. The real difficulty of the Tokyo version of the process usually comes from three overlapping layers:

Document review barrier
Reservation barrier
Skill Check barrier

Especially Tokyo has a very high number of applicants, people who do not sort out their document logic properly often get stuck at the very first stage.

XII. The Most Reliable Practice for Tokyo Applicants

If you only want to remember the most practical Tokyo-specific suggestions, keep these 6 points in mind:

Confirm that your residence is located in Tokyo first
Confirm that you have stayed in China for a total of 3 months after obtaining your Chinese driver's license
Prepare the Japanese translation of your driver's license in advance
Read the 3 PDF documents on the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department foreign license conversion page
Prioritize Fuchu or Samezu for Chinese mainland driver's license conversion
Do not expect to finish the Skill Check on the same day of application

XIII. FAQ

Do I need a reservation for converting Chinese driver's license to Japanese driver's license in Tokyo

Yes. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has clearly specified that the process operates on a reservation system. Eligible applicants can make Web reservations, and some special applicants can make reservations via phone.

What is the Tokyo foreign license conversion process

Prepare documents, get the Japanese translation of your driver's license, make a reservation, go to Fuchu or Samezu examination center for application acceptance and document review, take the Knowledge Check, make a separate reservation for the Skill Check, and get your license after passing.

Where is the reservation entrance for Tokyo driver's license conversion test

It is not the entrance for regular subject tests, you need to enter the corresponding reservation process from the "Foreign License Conversion" page of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.

Can I finish the Tokyo foreign license conversion process in one day

Generally do not expect that. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has clearly stated that the Skill Check cannot be taken on the day of application acceptance.

Can I go to Koto to convert my Chinese driver's license in Tokyo

Generally do not take it as a default option. Koto Examination Center only accepts applicants from specific exemption countries, it is more reliable for Chinese mainland driver's license applicants to choose Fuchu or Samezu.

How much does Tokyo foreign license conversion cost

The regular application handling fee is 2,500 JPY, the license issuance fee is 2,350 JPY; plus the JAF translation fee of 6,000 JPY starting from April 1, 2026, as well as other costs such as photo and transportation.

Official Reference Sources

Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department: How to Convert a Driver's License Obtained Abroad to a Japanese Driver's License
https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/menkyo/menkyo/kokugai/kokugai05.html
Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department: About the Full Reservation System for Subject Tests
https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/menkyo/menkyo/web.html
JAF: Foreign Driver's License Translation and Foreign License Conversion Instructions
https://jaf.or.jp/common/visitor-procedures/foreign-nationals-license
JAF: 2026 Translation Fee Adjustment Announcement
https://jaf.or.jp/common/news/2026/20260302-001

If you want to check more detailed content, the next most worthy parts to explore are:

Samezu foreign license conversion practical operation guide
Fuchu foreign license conversion practical operation guide
How to prepare for the Tokyo foreign license conversion Knowledge Check / Skill Check

Tokyo Guide on Converting a Chinese Driver's License to a Japanese Driver's License (2026 Latest Version): Process, Reservation, Required Documents for Tokyo's Foreign License Conversion, and Differences Among the Samezu, Fuchu and Koto Driver's License Examination Centers