Shizuoka License Conversion: Wednesday Only, 38% Pass Rate

Information current as of March 2026 based on the Shizuoka Prefectural Police gaimen kirikae page and the Shizuoka Police gaimen kirikae page. For Hamamatsu residents, Canal Hamamatsu also provides English information.

Shizuoka has over 124,000 foreign residents — the 8th most in Japan — with large Brazilian and Vietnamese communities concentrated in the Hamamatsu and western Shizuoka industrial areas. Public transport is thin outside the main cities, making a driver's license essential. The critical detail: gaimen kirikae is only processed one day per week.

Wednesday only — plan accordingly

Unlike most prefectures that handle gaimen kirikae on any weekday, Shizuoka processes foreign license conversions only on Wednesdays. If Wednesday falls on a holiday, the process is not available that week. You must arrive by 9:30 AM.

This means:

• Demand for Wednesday slots is high — book early
• If you fail a test, you must wait until the next available Wednesday to retake
• Workers need to plan a midweek day off

Three centers — which one?

All three centers have free parking (~500 spaces each).

How to book

Reservation required. Two options:

1. Phone: 050-1722-1110 (or via the main switchboard 054-271-0110)
2. Online: Shizuoka Prefecture driver's license reservation site (運転免許手続予約サイト, available 24 hours)

Current wait: ~1 month from reservation to appointment.

What to bring

• Valid foreign driver's license
• Japanese translation from JAF, ZIPLUS, ALADDIN, or for specific countries: Taiwan-Japan Relations Association (台湾), ADAC (Germany)
• All passports — proving 3+ months in the issuing country
• Residence card
• Juminhyo — full details including nationality, residence status, period of stay. No My Number.
• Photo: 1 sheet, 3cm × 2.4cm

The written test

50 questions, 90% to pass. Shizuoka's pass rate crashed from 93% to 38% after the October 2025 changes — one of the steepest drops in the country.

Languages (20): English, Portuguese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Persian, Korean, Thai, Russian, Tagalog, Indonesian, Nepali, Khmer, Myanmar, Mongolian, Ukrainian, Sinhalese, Urdu, Arabic, Hindi.

Portuguese and Vietnamese are particularly relevant for Shizuoka's foreign communities.

The driving test

Standard nationwide criteria. S-curve, crank, hill start, railroad crossing, intersections. Scored to provisional license standard (70/100).

Shizuoka's overall gaimen kirikae pass rate (knowledge + practical combined) was 14.8% over the past 5 years — and is expected to drop further after October 2025. Prepare thoroughly.

For detailed driving test strategies, see our Osaka driving test guide.

Fees

Useful Japanese

Related articles

• Convert Foreign License Japan (2026): New Rules + 3-Month Proof
• Osaka License Conversion: Why Pass Rates Hit 30%

Need help in Shizuoka? Post on LO-PAL for free — a local helper can make the reservation, prepare your documents, or accompany you to the center on Wednesday.