Foreign License Conversion
in Kanagawa Prefecture
Kanagawa's licensing center for foreign-license holders is administered by Kanagawa Prefectural Police (神奈川県警察). Below is the official source, the test center's main address, English support status, and any special notes.
- Police organization:
- Kanagawa Prefectural Police (神奈川県警察)
- Test center:
- Kanagawa Prefectural Police Driver's License Headquarters / License Center (神奈川県警察運転免許本部（運転免許センター）)
- City
- Yokohama, Asahi Ward (横浜市旭区)
- Access
- 1-1-1 Nakao, Asahi-ku, Yokohama (横浜市旭区中尾1丁目1番1号). The foreign-license counter is counter 12 (外国免許係) on the 3rd floor.
- Test languages:
- 20 languages (nationwide standard since June 2024)
- How to reserve
- Appointment-based. Applicants visit counter 12 in person on weekdays (Mon-Fri, excluding Sat/Sun/holidays/year-end) from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM to receive an explanation and book; the reception slot is then pre-designated. Phone consultation about the procedure is available weekdays 3:00 PM-4:00 PM. No online reservation system.
- Phone
- 045-365-6000 (procedure consultation, weekdays 3:00 PM-4:00 PM); 045-365-3111 (main line / 代表)
- Reception hours
- Reception for reserved applicants: weekdays (excluding Sat/Sun/holidays/year-end), pre-designated within 8:30 AM-9:00 AM or 1:00 PM-1:30 PM. In-person booking at counter 12: weekdays 2:00 PM-3:00 PM.
The knowledge (written) test is available in 21 languages per the official page: Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, Tagalog, Russian, Persian, Korean, Indonesian, Khmer, Nepali, Burmese, Mongolian, Ukrainian, Sinhala, Urdu, Arabic, and Hindi. Applicants who have difficulty communicating in Japanese must bring their own Japanese interpreter.
Fees vary by license type and whether a skill (practical) confirmation is required (免許の種類、技能確認の有無等により異なる); confirm at time of reservation. Specific yen amounts are not stated on the official pages.
Eligibility requires residence in Kanagawa Prefecture, a valid foreign license, and proof of a cumulative stay of 3 months (90 days) or more in the issuing country after the license was issued. From October 1, 2025, address verification and the knowledge/skill confirmation methods were made stricter; the new skill-test method applies regardless of prior reservation status. Applicants must submit a residence registry copy (住民票の写し) showing nationality, residence status and period, etc., unless they hold a My Number license (in which case it is exempt). The 運転免許課外国免許係 (foreign license section) handles conversions.
We could not confirm the following from primary sources. Please check the official page before relying on them:
- Exact fee amounts in yen (official pages only state fees vary by license type / skill confirmation)
- Nearest station and access route (Futamatagawa Station / Sotetsu Line) — not stated on any of the cited official pages
- Precise bus route / walking time to the center
Always verify on the prefectural police's official page before you go — addresses, reservation methods, and document requirements change frequently.
- Official page (Japanese) ↗ — open via Google Translate / DeepL
- Official English content ↗
- Official source ↗ https://www.police.pref.kanagawa.jp/tetsuzuki/menkyo/mes83000.html
The 6-step process (eligibility → translation → appointment → document screening → 50-question test → practical test) is the same nationwide. See the main hub for the complete walkthrough, document checklist, and translation services.
New to the terminology? See the glossary for definitions of gaimen kirikae, knowledge confirmation test, IDP, and honmen.
Verified research compiled on 2026-06-06 from official prefectural-police and other primary sources. Test-center details, reservation methods, fees, and language support can change — always confirm on the official page before you go.