Following the implementation of stricter rules for foreign nationals who wish to convert their driver¡¯s license to a Japanese one, the passing rates for the associated exams for the process have dropped to nearly half of what it was previously.
According to recent numbers released by the National Police Agency, the percentage of foreign drivers who passed the written test for a Japanese driver¡¯s license dropped to 42.8% between October and December last year, and the practical test, to 13.1%.
In 2024, before the rules were tightened, the passing rate for the written exam, which tests candidates on their knowledge of Japanese traffic laws, was 92.5% while that for the practical test, in which driving skills are evaluated, was 30.4%.
Given the latest numbers, the NPA said that the tighter rules for the conversion exams had been effective. The agency said it would continue to ensure traffic rules are properly enforced and driving skills are accurately assessed.
The tougher rules were implemented in October last year following a series of accidents caused by foreign nationals that made headlines. In the wake of those accidents, the tests for the conversion at the time were criticized as being too easy.
Previously, the written test consisted of just 10 yes-or-no questions and candidates only needed to get seven of them correct to pass. Under the rules introduced in October, the number of questions was increased to 50, and candidates have to score at least 90% to pass.
The standard written test for new drivers looking to obtain a license in Japan ¡ª including foreign nationals ¡ª consists of 95 questions and requires a passing grade of 90%.
Between October and December, a total of 27,354 people applied to take the written test for the conversion of foreign licenses, and only 11,716 passed. Meanwhile, 23,245 people took the practical test, out of which only 3,041 were successful.
In 2024, a total of 75,905 conversions were made, up from 48,885 in 2019, according to the NPA.
In the past, applicants for the conversion process included foreign tourists as well, but under the new regulations, only those with Japanese residency can do so.
However, the NPA noted that the implementation of the new rules did not result in a significantly lower number of applicants, which suggests that tourists might not have made up that big a proportion previously.
Foreign tourists can still drive in Japan with an international driver¡¯s license, which can be obtained by people licensed to drive in countries that are signatories to the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. Such tourists must obtain this license in their home country prior to leaving for Japan.
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