Japan imposes stricter rules for conversion of foreign driver licences, but S'porean tourists likely unaffected

Japan's National Police Agency has announced tighter regulations for the conversion of foreign driver licences into Japanese ones, including stricter written and practical tests, and barring short-term tourists from applying for one.

The new measures will take effect on Oct. 1.

The rule changes were introduced following criticism that the current conversion process is overly lenient and multiple high-profile car accidents caused by foreign drivers with converted licenses, according to Japanese media.

“We aim to ensure that drivers understand Japan’s traffic rules, which will contribute to road safety,” the NPA said.

What are the new rules?

Currently, to convert their foreign licence to a Japanese one, drivers must complete a written test of 10 true-or-false questions with illustrations, with a passing score of seven.

In 2024, the passing rate was 93 per cent.

This test will be increased to 50 questions, with illustrations removed, and require a passing score of 90 per cent.

Currently, drivers must also pass a practical test taken at a licensing centre and provide a registered address in Japan.

From October, this practical test will include new tasks like driving through railroad crossings and pedestrian crossings, and have a stricter scoring system, Asahi Shimbun reported.

Authorities also identified a loophole where tourists would use a hotel or a friend's home as their registered address for the licence conversion.

So under the new rules, it will be mandatory for applicants to provide a certificate of residence when verifying their address.

These changes come after a Chinese driver drove into a group of elementary school students in Saitama prefecture in May, and injured four before driving off.

The same month, a Peruvian man drove in the wrong direction on an expressway in Mie prefecture, causing a multi-vehicle accident.

In May, Japanese lawmakers called for reforms to address regulatory and tax loopholes amidst an influx of foreign residents and tourists, including stricter regulations for foreign licence conversion, Japan Times reported.

Other issues discussed included increasing taxes on foreign visitors or abolishing Japan's tax-free shopping system.

Probably won't affect Singaporeans much

However, the new regulations on foreign licence conversion are unlikely to affect Singaporean tourists looking to go on a road trip in Japan.

This is because Singaporeans who wish to drive in Japan must go through a different route, by applying for an international driving permit (IDP) from the Automobile Association of Singapore.

This process remains unchanged.

The IDP permits foreigners to drive in Japan for up to one year.

It is issued by countries who ratified the 1949 Geneva Convention on road traffic, of which Singapore is one.

Foreign visitors from countries or states whose international driving permits are not recognised by Japan, and those who stay in Japan for more than one year, must obtain a Japanese driver's license.

Top image from Reddit