Ibaraki License Conversion: Online or Walk-In Booking
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Ibaraki's license center is in rural Ibaraki-machi, 40 min by bus from Mito. Online reservation or in-person at Window #14. Written test in 20 languages. Juminhyo must include all fields.
Information current as of March 2026 based on the Ibaraki Prefectural Police gaimen kirikae page and the English PDF guide (December 2025). Additional information from the Ibaraki International Association.
Ibaraki has over 102,000 foreign residents and the 8th highest car ownership rate in Japan (1.508 per household). The license center is in rural Ibaraki-machi — not Mito city center — so getting there without a car is itself a challenge. Plan your trip carefully.
Where to go: Ibaraki Prefectural Driver's License Center
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | 茨城県運転免許センター (Ibaraki Prefectural Driver's License Center) |
| Address | 〒311-3116 茨城県東茨城郡茨城町大字長岡3783-3 |
| Window | Window #14 (14番窓口) for gaimen kirikae |
| Phone | 029-293-8811 (main) / 029-293-8060 (guidance) |
| Hours | Reservation reception: Mon–Fri 15:00–16:30 |
| Access (bus) | JR Mito Station (水戸駅) north exit, Bus Stop #3 → Kanto Railway Bus "運転免許センター行" → ~40 min |
| Access (car) | Ibaraki-machi Higashi IC (Kita-Kanto Expressway) → Route 6 |
| Parking | Free, ~500 spaces |
Important: The center is in a rural location with no train station nearby. If you don't have a car (which is likely why you're converting your license), the bus from Mito Station is your best option. The bus runs on weekdays only — check the timetable at the Kanto Railway Bus website before going.
How to book your appointment
Ibaraki requires advance reservation. There are two ways:
Option 1: In-person at Window #14
Visit the center on a weekday between 15:00–16:30 with your documents. Staff will check them briefly and schedule your appointment. This is the most reliable method for first-time gaimen kirikae applicants.
Option 2: Online reservation
Ibaraki also has an online reservation system at menkyo-yoyaku.pref.ibaraki.jp. However, confirm on the site that gaimen kirikae slots are available — the system primarily handles other license procedures. If in doubt, visit Window #14 in person.
Current wait: 1–3 months from reservation to appointment. Book early.
What to bring
- Valid foreign driver's license — bring ALL licenses including expired ones. If your license has no issuance date printed on it, bring proof of when it was first issued.
- Japanese translation from JAF (Ibaraki office: 029-244-2660, 2475-7 Senba-cho, Mito), embassy/consulate, ZIPLUS, or ALADDIN
- Passport(s) — all current and old, to prove 3+ months in the issuing country
- Residence card (在留カード)
- Juminhyo (住民票) — Ibaraki specifically requires it to include: nationality, residence status, period of stay, residence card number, and date of establishing residence
- Photos: 2 sheets, 3cm × 2.4cm
- International driving permit (if you have one)
- Expired Japanese license (if applicable)
Ibaraki note on Juminhyo: When requesting your juminhyo at city hall, make sure to ask for all optional fields to be included (全項目記載). If any required field is missing, the center will reject your application and you'll need to come back.
The written test (since October 2025)
Non-exempt applicants take a 50-question written test (90% to pass). Previously 10 illustration-based questions with a 70% pass rate — the new test is significantly harder.
Languages available at Ibaraki (20 languages): English, Spanish, Persian, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, Thai, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Khmer, Nepali, Myanmar, Mongolian, Ukrainian, Sinhala, Urdu, Arabic, Hindi.
Ibaraki introduced 20-language support on June 28, 2024 — see the official announcement.
The driving test
Same nationwide standards as of October 2025: scored to provisional license exam level. The course includes S-curves, crank, hill start, railroad crossing stop, and intersection navigation.
Key scoring points:
- Five-point check before moving: Left mirror → left blind spot → center mirror → right mirror → right blind spot
- Railroad crossing: Full stop, open window, look both ways
- Speed control: Stay within posted limits, don't go too slow either (hesitation is penalized)
- Lane positioning: Stay left on the course unless turning right
For detailed test preparation, see our Osaka license conversion guide which covers the scoring criteria in depth.
Fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Examination/screening fee | ~¥2,550 |
| Vehicle usage fee | ~¥800 |
| License issuance | ¥2,350 |
| Total (first-attempt pass) | ~¥5,700–7,000 |
Pay in revenue stamps (収入証紙), purchasable at the center.
Useful Japanese at the center
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| I'm here for foreign license conversion | 外免切替の手続きに来ました | Gaimen kirikae no tetsuzuki ni kimashita |
| I have an online reservation | ネット予約をしています | Netto yoyaku o shite imasu |
| Where is window 14? | 14番窓口はどこですか？ | Jūyon-ban madoguchi wa doko desu ka? |
| I'd like the test in English | 英語で試験を受けたいです | Eigo de shiken o uketai desu |
| Which bus goes back to Mito Station? | 水戸駅行きのバスはどれですか？ | Mito-eki yuki no basu wa dore desu ka? |
Related articles
- Convert Foreign License Japan (2026): New Rules + 3-Month Proof
- Osaka License Conversion: Why Pass Rates Hit 30%
- Tokyo License in English (2026 Booking Guide)
Need help with the Ibaraki process? Post on LO-PAL for free — a local helper can make the online reservation, accompany you to the center, or help with the document preparation.
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Founder, LO-PAL
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