Shizuoka License Conversion: Wednesday Only, 38% Pass Rate
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Shizuoka processes gaimen kirikae on Wednesdays only. 3 centers (Tobu/Chubu/Seibu). Pass rate dropped from 93% to 38%. Written test in 20 languages including Portuguese. Arrive by 9:30 AM.
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?
| Center | Covers | Address | Phone | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tobu (東部) | Eastern Shizuoka (沼津, 三島, 富士 etc.) | 〒410-0001 沼津市足高字尾上241-10 | 055-921-2000 | Bus from JR Numazu Station ~20 min. Tomei Numazu IC ~500m |
| Chubu (中部) | Central Shizuoka (静岡市 etc.) | 〒420-0949 静岡市葵区与一6-16-1 | 054-272-2221 | Bus from JR Shizuoka Station ~30 min. Shin-Shizuoka IC ~1.2km |
| Seibu (西部) | Western Shizuoka (浜松, 磐田 etc.) | 〒434-0042 浜松市浜名区小松3220 | 053-587-2000 | Enshu Railway Enshu-Komatsu Station ~12 min walk. Hamamatsu IC ~6km |
All three centers have free parking (~500 spaces each).
How to book
Reservation required. Two options:
- Phone: 050-1722-1110 (or via the main switchboard 054-271-0110)
- 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
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Examination fee | ~¥2,550 |
| License issuance | ¥2,350 |
| Total (first-attempt pass) | ~¥4,900 |
Useful Japanese
| 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 a reservation for today | 本日の予約をしています | Honjitsu no yoyaku o shite imasu |
| I'd like the test in Portuguese | ポルトガル語で試験を受けたいです | Porutogarugo de shiken o uketai desu |
| When is the next available Wednesday? | 次の空いている水曜日はいつですか？ | Tsugi no aite iru suiyōbi wa itsu desu ka? |
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.
Written by
Founder, LO-PAL
Former Medical Coordinator for Foreign Patients (Ministry of Health programme) and legal affairs professional. Built LO-PAL from firsthand experience navigating life abroad.
Written with partial AI assistance
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