MenkyoQuest
FOREIGN LICENSE CONVERSION · 外免切替

Which Countries
Skip the Test?

Some lucky license holders skip the knowledge and practical tests entirely. Here’s the full list of 29 exempt countries and regions — and what everyone still has to do.

4-panel comic — Hikari: Wait — I heard some people skip the whole test?! No fair, I want in! Misaki: Holders from 29 countries and regions are exempt from both the knowledge and the practical test. Hikari: Please be on the list, please be on the list… 🙏 Misaki: Germany, France, the UK, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Canada, and more. Check below for the full list. Hikari: And if my country isn't there? Misaki: Then it's the 50-question test — which is exactly what we practice here. And even exempt holders still go through document screening, so no one fully escapes.
Hikari: Wait — I heard some people skip the whole test?! No fair, I want in! Misaki: Holders from 29 countries and regions are exempt from both the knowledge and the practical test. Hikari: Please be on the list, please be on the list… 🙏 Misaki: Germany, France, the UK, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Canada, and more. Check below for the full list. Hikari: And if my country isn't there? Misaki: Then it's the 50-question test — which is exactly what we practice here. And even exempt holders still go through document screening, so no one fully escapes.
✅ TEST-EXEMPT (skip knowledge + practical)

29 countries/regions. Holders still complete document screening.

  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Switzerland
  • Netherlands
  • Belgium
  • Sweden
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Portugal
  • Norway
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Greece
  • Austria
  • Czech Republic
  • Poland
  • Hungary
  • Slovenia
  • Luxembourg
  • Monaco
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Canada
  • South Korea
  • Taiwan
  • United States (7 states)

The United States counts only for seven fully-exempt states — Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland, and Washington. The state of Indiana is partial: the practical driving test is waived, but you still take the 50-question knowledge test. Holders from all other US states are not exempt and take both tests.

FAQ
Which countries are exempt from the gaimen kirikae knowledge and practical tests?
Holders of licenses from 29 countries/regions are exempt from both the knowledge and practical tests: Germany, France, the UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Greece, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Monaco, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States (the states of Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland, and Washington). Separately, the US state of Indiana is partially exempt — the practical driving test is waived but the knowledge test is still required.
Do exempt-country holders still need to do anything?
Yes. Even if you skip the knowledge and practical tests, you still go through document screening (shorui shinsa), so you still need the full document set — original license, official Japanese translation, passport, jūminhyō, and photo.
Does a US license count as exempt?
It depends on the issuing state. Seven states — Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland, and Washington — are fully exempt (no knowledge or practical test). Indiana is partially exempt: the practical driving test is waived, but you still take the 50-question knowledge test. Licenses from all other US states are not exempt, so those holders take both the knowledge test and the practical driving test.
Not on the list? No problem — the 50-question test is exactly what we practice here, free and in English.

Last updated 2026-05-30. Informational only — always confirm current requirements with your prefecture’s driver’s license center, as they can differ locally.

menkyoquest.comAboutGlossarySignsPrivacyContactTermsNPA Traffic Rules (EN)