Test centres › Kumamoto
Kumamoto Prefectural Driver's License Centre
| Address | 2655 Karakawa, Kikuyo-machi, Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto 869-1107 |
|---|---|
| Booking | Appointment only; no walk-ins. Book the document review by phone on 096-233-0116 (press 2, then 3), weekdays 11:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00. Phone service is in Japanese only; have your foreign licence and passport at hand. |
| Days and times | Counter: 2nd floor, left side, Driver's License Examination Division. Weekdays only (not weekends, holidays, year-end/New Year). The day's skills course is posted on the 2F lobby electronic board at 07:30; walking the course on foot is allowed on weekdays 07:30-08:30 and 12:00-13:00. |
| Written check languages | zh, en, vi, pt, tl, th, id, ne, km, mn, my, ru, ko, fa, es, ur, ar, si, hi, uk |
| Driving test course | No course map is published online. Ask at the centre. |
| Fees | Application fee for foreign licence conversion (ordinary car, Class 1): ¥2,500 Licence issuance (one-card holding): ¥2,350 Licence issuance (My Number card): ¥1,550 Licence issuance (two-card holding): ¥2,450 |
Documents
- Valid foreign licence (proof of issue date if not printed)
- Japanese translation from the issuing authority/consulate, a recognised foreign body, or JAF/ZIPLUS/Japan Driver Support Association for Visitors
- Residence certificate issued within 6 months with nationality, residence status, stay period, expiry and card number
- Passport (proof of residence in the issuing country if it lacks stamps)
- Residence card (original)
- 2 photos per licence class, 3 x 2.4 cm, within 6 months
- Japanese licence if held; International Driving Permit if held
- Fee in cash
Things to know
- Must have resident registration in Kumamoto Prefecture, a valid foreign licence, and at least 3 months' cumulative stay in the issuing country after obtaining it.
- Fees are cash only. Fee table is dated 24 Mar 2025; 2,500 yen is read from the foreign-licence column for ordinary Class 1 licences. A separate skills-check vehicle charge is not identified.
- Knowledge check is offered in 20 languages; the page does not state the number of questions or pass mark.
- Motorcycle applicants take only the knowledge check.
- Failing the knowledge or skills check means booking again.
- Applicants who cannot communicate in Japanese must bring an interpreter.
- Wear sports shoes for the skills check; motorcycle applicants need helmet, gloves, long sleeves and trousers.
- Exemption list on the page: many European countries, Australia, NZ, Canada, South Korea, Taiwan and several US states (skills-only exemption for Indiana).
Driving test: where people lose points
- Not checking the blind spot (turn your head) before moving off, changing lanes and turning.
- Left turns: not moving close to the left edge first, then turning slowly along the edge of the intersection.
- Right turns: not moving close to the centre line beforehand, or not turning just inside the centre of the intersection (wait there for oncoming traffic).
- At a stop sign (止まれ): not stopping completely at the stop line, then stopping again where you can see.
- Signalling late: signal 30 m before a turn, 3 seconds before a lane change.
- Crossings: not slowing down or not stopping for a pedestrian who may cross.
- Railway crossings: not stopping before the crossing and checking left and right with the window open.
Always check the official page before you go: times and rules change. Official page · Checked 2026-11-09