Mie Driver's License Centre (Foreign License Examination Section)

Address	2566 Tarumi, Tsu City, Mie
Access	About 10 minutes on foot south of Minamigaoka Station (Kintetsu Nagoya Line), or Sanco bus to the Unten Menkyo Center-mae stop then about 5 minutes on foot.
Booking	Booking is required. Per the police notice, from 2026-06-01 reservations are made online via the Mie prefectural e-application system instead of by phone. People without internet access, or with the specific-activity status, should phone the centre. Have the passport and required documents ready when booking.
Days and times	Document review is held on weekdays (not weekends, holidays, year-end/New Year); only document review takes place that day, and missing documents or late arrival means no reception. Phone line weekdays 8:30-17:00. Aptitude test and knowledge check follow; the skills check is booked after passing the knowledge check. The licence is issued the same day once all checks are passed. The page's step order is slightly ambiguous, so confirm with the centre.
Written check languages	ja, en, vi, pt, es, zh, ru, mn, ar, id, uk, ko, th, ne, ur, km, si, tl, hi, fa, my
Driving test course	No course map is published online. Ask at the centre.

Documents

Valid foreign licence (plus old licence if held)
Residence card
Japanese translation of the foreign licence (issuing authority, embassy/consulate, JAF, ZIPLUS or ALADDIN)
All passports ever issued (originals); supporting residence-period documents if entry/exit stamps are not visible
Driving record / licence history certificate depending on country
One photo 3 cm x 2.4 cm within 6 months (no passport-size photos)
Residence record showing nationality, date became resident, status, period of stay etc. (issued within 6 months, original; not needed if you present a My Number licence)
Japanese licence if ever held (valid or expired)

Booking method changed to online on 2026-06-01 per a police notice dated 2026-04-23.
The official page states the knowledge check is offered in 21 languages; it does not state the 50-question format, so that was not recorded for Mie.
Interpreter required if you do not understand Japanese.
Eligibility: legitimately issued valid foreign licence, at least 3 months total stay in the issuing country after obtaining it, registered in Mie, no current or pending administrative sanction.

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