FOREIGN LICENSE CONVERSION · 外免切替
Key Terms,
in Plain English
The conversion process throws a lot of Japanese words at you. Here are the few you really need before you start — and where to look up the rest.
🔤 THE 5 TERMS TO KNOW FIRST
- 外免切替 gaimen kirikae
- Converting a foreign license into a Japanese one — the whole process these chapters cover.
- 住民票 jūminhyō
- Residence certificate. The conversion version must show your nationality, status, and period of stay.
- 仮免許 karimen
- Provisional license (for the driving-school path; not usually needed for conversion).
- 本免許 honmen
- Full license — the standard Japanese driver's license you end up with.
- 適性検査 tekisei kensa
- Aptitude test — the quick vision, color, and hearing check before the knowledge test.
Stuck on another term? The full glossary has 50+ entries with English, romaji, and the original Japanese — by category.
FAQ
What does gaimen kirikae mean?
Gaimen kirikae (外免切替) means converting a foreign driver's license into a Japanese one. It's the process covered across these chapters: eligibility, documents, the knowledge and practical tests, and receiving your license.
What is a jūminhyō and why does it matter?
A jūminhyō (住民票) is your residence certificate. For license conversion since October 2025, it must be the version that shows your nationality, residence status, and period of stay — a plain one isn't enough.
Where can I look up other Japanese driving terms?
Use the MenkyoQuest glossary — it has 50+ driving-license terms with English, romaji, and the original Japanese, organized by category, each with a short explanation focused on what matters for the test.
Terms make more sense in context. Try the 50-question practice test free, in English, with AI-explained answers.
Last updated 2026-05-30. Informational only — always confirm current requirements with your prefecture’s driver’s license center, as they can differ locally.