Lessons for Gaimen Kirikae
(Converting foreign driver’s license to Japanese license)
Driving lessons for the test converting valid foreign license to Japanese license.
Lessons for Gaimen Kirikae Overview
We provide driving lessons for the test to convert your valid foreign driver’s license to Japanese driver’s license. Gaimen Kirikae test is conducted in a test circuit at each prefectural driver’s license test center. There’s no road test for Gaimen Kirikae test.
We practice driving in Nara practice driving circuit. anyone can take this lesson even if you don't live in Nara. Practice basic skill for the test with JYC instructor in Nara and then take the test in your prefecture.
There are two types of driver’s license for regular sized vehicles in Japan. One is for manual transmission vehicles and automatic transmission cars. The other is for automatic transmission cars only.
You can convert valid foreign driver’s license to either “both manual and automatic” or “automatic only”.
If you would like to convert your license to one with “both manual and automatic” you need to practice and pass the test with a manual car.
If you pass the test with an automatic car and obtain the “automatic only” license, you are not permitted to drive a manual car on the public road.
If you would like to convert your license to “both manual and automatic”, we provide lessons only in the practice circuit in Nara.
Click here if you would like to practice driving in a actual test circuit in Osaka or Shiga.
Lessons are also provided on the public road in Kyoto if you have a valid international driving permit.
This service requires the following driver's license :
Foreign driver's license which can convert to Japanese license.
*Please confirm with a license center in your prefecture if your foreign driver's license can convert to Japanese license.
Application steps for Gaimen Kirikae
1. Document check
2. Interview
3. Written test (10 questions)
4. Driving test (in a test circuit at a license test center)
5. Obtain a Japanese driver’s license
Steps from 1 to 3 above vary depending on your country. For further information, please ask the license center in a prefecture you live.
JYC driving school supports step 4.
Contents of lesson for Gaimen Kirikae
●Procedure from getting in a vehicle until pulling out.
●Proper driving posture
●Proper safety check and signaling
●Proper right turn and left turn, changing lanes
●Driving following the Japanese rule of the road
Practice location
Practice circuit in Kashihara city, Nara
Click here if you would like to practice driving in a actual test circuit in Osaka or Shiga.
Osaka Kadoma
Shiga Moriyama
Lessons are also provided on the public road in Kyoto if you have a valid international driving permit.
Lesson fees
●Practice circuit usage charge : 6,900 yen per day.
●10-minute break is needed per 50 minutes.
Lesson Timetable
Application steps
1. Send an email to JYC driving school.
Let us know the followings.
●Valid foreign driver’s license you have
●Preferred lesson and number of the lessons
●Prefecture you are going to take the Gaimen Kirikae test
●Date of the test (if it’s already scheduled)
2. Arrange the lesson day and time
3. Make the payment
（Bank transfer or PayPal
If you make the payment using PayPal, 6% handling fee will be added to the lesson fee.）
5. Confirmation
We will send a confirmation of the lesson detail after the payment is completed.
6. Day of the lesson
What Must I Bring To My Lesson?
Necessaries
●Glasses or contact lenses (If you need)
●Only light sunglasses are allowed if you need to wear them.
●Suitable footwear for driving (Refer sample pictures)
Flowchart of a lesson day
Kintetsu Ninokuchi station
JR Miwa station
01
Meet up with JYC instructor
at Kintetsu Ninokuchi station or JR Miwa station
JYC instructor pick you up at either station.
02
Sign agreement form of the lesson
(First time only)
We will send a sample of agreement form. Please go over it before making the payment.
03
Move to the practice location (about 5 minute-drive)
JYC instructor drives you to the practice circuit.
04
Start the lesson.
10-minute break is needed per 50-minute lesson
05
End of lesson
JYC instructor drives you back to the station.
Frequently asked questions
-Question- I would like to obtain a driver’s license for manual transmission vehicles. Can I practice with a manual car? -Answer- Lessons for a manual transmission car is available only in Nara. Other than Nara practice circuit, we provide lessons only with an automatic transmission car. A person who are trying to take the test in a prefecture other than Nara can also practice in Nara.
-Question- Can I drive a manual transmission car after I obtain a license for automatic cars? -Answer- No you cannot drive a manual car if you obtain a driver’s license for automatic transmission car only. If you would like to drive a manual transmission car on the public road, you need to take and pass the test with a manual transmission car. If you pass the test with a manual car, you can drive both manual and automatic car on the public road.
-Question- Is it possible to upgrade may automatic license to manual one after obtaining an automatic car license? -Answer- It’s possible to upgrade your automatic car license to a manual car license. You need to take and pass the test with a manual car at a license censer again. Or, take a manual transmission training course and pass the test at an approved driving school.