Who can apply and where the Osaka process applies
You can apply if you hold a valid foreign driver’s license, can confirm at least three months of total stay in the issuing country after obtaining it, and your address is in Osaka Prefecture. The Osaka Prefectural Police guidance covers Kadoma Driver’s License Testing Center and Komyoike Driver’s License Testing Center.
If Japanese communication is difficult, the notice says to come with someone who can interpret. For My Number license procedures, bring a valid My Number card with an Osaka Prefecture address.
- Confirm that your address is in Osaka Prefecture.
- Use your license and passport to show the three-month stay requirement.
- Bring an interpreter if Japanese communication is difficult.
Reservation split and how booking works
The reservation date and method differ depending on whether the country or region where the foreign license was issued is covered by the special category. For special-category cases, booking is by phone or, at Kadoma for certain cases, by counter reservation from 19 January 2026. For non-special-category cases, the notice provides separate phone reservation windows for Kadoma and Komyoike.
The notice says calls made outside the specified reception day and time will not be accepted, and reservations cannot be made by any method other than the one indicated. Once a reservation is made, it cannot be changed. Before calling, prepare all required documents and keep the current license with you. Further booking arrangements will be posted once details are decided.
- Check whether your issuing country is in the special category.
- Call only during the listed reception day and time.
- Kadoma special-category reservations switch to counter booking from 19 January 2026.
Documents to prepare and common gaps
The basic documents listed are the foreign driver’s license, copies of both sides, a Japanese translation certificate, passport, passport copies, a resident record, any Japanese driver’s license or My Number license you have, one photo, a pen, and the fee. Translations may be issued by the embassy or consulate in Japan, JAF, Ziplus for some countries and regions, ALADDIN, the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association for Taiwan licenses only, or the German Automobile Club for German licenses only.
If your passport does not have entry and exit stamps for the issuing country, documents proving stay or immigration record certificates may be needed. The resident record must be issued within six months, must not show your My Number, and must include the required nationality/status details. If the license issue date is not shown, or if you have multiple license classes, additional proof of issuance date may be required.
- Get the translation from a listed organization.
- Use a resident record issued within six months, without My Number.
- Be ready with extra proof if the issue date is missing.
What happens on the day and what to recheck
Arrive at Kadoma or Komyoike on the reserved date and time with all required documents. The notice says one interpreter is allowed per one applicant. It also says applicants should study Japanese traffic rules and practice driving so they can pass the skills check at the first attempt; practice can be done through Kadoma’s course opening or a designated driving school in Osaka Prefecture.
From 1 October 2025, address confirmation, knowledge confirmation, and skills confirmation became stricter, and the driving course for the skills check changed. Because booking pathways differ between special-category and non-special-category cases, and Kadoma’s reservation method for special-category cases changes from 19 January 2026, recheck the latest Osaka Prefectural Police notice and the prefectural police guidance that covers the applicant’s place of residence before you apply.
- Bring the full document set on the booked date.
- Review Japanese traffic rules and practice before the skills check.
- Recheck the latest prefectural police guidance because procedures change.
GAIMEN JAPAN
Sources
Procedures vary by prefecture. Always confirm the latest details with the relevant prefectural police authority.