Tokyo – Pass rates for both the written and practical components of Japan’s driver’s license conversion test have fallen dramatically following the implementation of stricter regulations last October, according to data released Monday by the National Police Agency.
The written exam pass rate plummeted from 93 percent in 2024 to 43 percent in the October-December period of 2025, although the driving test pass rate dropped from 30 percent to 13 percent, the agency reported. The changes were enacted in response to growing concerns over traffic accidents involving foreign drivers.
Data released last year indicated a 30 percent surge in traffic accidents involving foreign drivers over the preceding five years, reaching 7,286 incidents in 2024, according to the National Police Agency. This increase prompted a review of the licensing process for foreign nationals.
The revised testing procedures include an expanded written exam, increasing the number of questions from 10 to 50, with a required correct answer rate of at least 90 percent. Examiners are now too focusing on observing applicants’ adherence to pedestrian right-of-way rules at crosswalks and their understanding of safety protocols at railway crossings.
Prior to the changes, approximately 68,000 foreign nationals obtained Japanese driver’s licenses through the conversion system in 2024. However, the new rules have effectively eliminated the option for foreign tourists and short-term visitors to convert their licenses.
The National Police Agency stated it will continue to refine the testing process to ensure that all drivers, regardless of nationality, possess the necessary knowledge and skills to operate vehicles safely in Japan. The agency has not yet announced any further adjustments to the testing criteria.
