Are you a foreign national who wants to obtain a motorcycle or large motorcycle license in Japan but feels uncertain about whether you can do so? In recent years, motorcycle and large motorcycle license acquisition has recovered to near pre-COVID levels, and there is a trend of increasing license acquisition by foreign nationals. However, in October 2025, foreign license conversion procedures became stricter, and the pass rate for the knowledge assessment dropped significantly. Let us review the latest situation and the specific methods for foreign nationals to obtain a license step by step.

1. Increase in the Number of Motorcycle and Large Motorcycle License Holders

Before examining the proportion of foreign nationals, let us first look at the overall number of motorcycle license holders in Japan.

According to the 2025 Driver’s License Statistics published by the National Police Agency, the number of successful motorcycle license applicants is compiled by license category.

1.1 Number of Motorcycle License Passes in 2025

The number of successful motorcycle license test applicants in 2025 is as follows:

• Large motorcycle license: 74,415 people
• Regular motorcycle license: 187,725 people
• Small-displacement regular motorcycle license: 29,449 people

Compared to 2024, the number of successful applicants has decreased in all categories.

• Large motorcycle license: approximately 1.1% decrease from 75,254 people
• Regular motorcycle license: approximately 3.0% decrease from 193,627 people
• Small-displacement regular motorcycle license: approximately 4.4% decrease from 30,802 people

Therefore, it is not accurate to describe the latest situation for overall motorcycle license holders as “on the rise.” However, many people continue to obtain motorcycle licenses throughout the year.

1.2 Differences Between Large Motorcycle and Regular Motorcycle Licenses

Motorcycle licenses in Japan are categorized according to the engine displacement of the motorcycles they allow you to operate.

• Regular motorcycle license: allows operation of motorcycles with engine displacement of 400cc or less
• Large motorcycle license: allows operation of motorcycles with no upper limit on engine displacement
• Small-displacement regular motorcycle license: allows operation of motorcycles with engine displacement of 125cc or less

Large motorcycle licenses require handling heavier vehicles and advanced riding skills. For those obtaining a motorcycle license for the first time, there is also the option of obtaining a regular motorcycle license first and then progressing to a large motorcycle license.

2. Proportion of Foreign License Conversion Applicants Among Motorcycle License Holders

The National Police Agency statistics include the number of “foreign license conversion applicants” who converted from a foreign license to a Japanese license.

However, foreign license conversion applicants may include Japanese nationals who obtained licenses overseas. Therefore, this figure is not an exact proportion of foreign nationals and should be viewed as a reference value for understanding trends in foreign national license acquisition.

Source: https://www.sankei.com/article/20250513-ZBQTUMEMGBCBLPNFXZMVHXSJCA/

2.1 Number of Foreign License Conversion Applicants in 2025

The number of people who converted from a foreign license to a motorcycle license in 2025 is as follows:

• Large motorcycle license: 870 people
• Regular motorcycle license: 3,790 people
• Small-displacement regular motorcycle license: 3,227 people

Calculating the proportion of foreign license conversion applicants among successful applicants for each license yields the following:

• Large motorcycle license: approximately 1.2%
• Regular motorcycle license: approximately 2.0%
• Small-displacement regular motorcycle license: approximately 11.0%

The proportion of foreign license conversion applicants is relatively high for small-displacement regular motorcycle licenses in particular. This may reflect demand for motorcycles with engine displacements that are convenient for daily activities such as commuting and shopping.

However, statistics alone do not allow us to confirm the purpose of acquisition or nationality, so we cannot definitively determine the background of these proportions.

2.2 Growth Rate from 2024 to 2025

Comparing the number of foreign license conversion applicants to 2024, there was a decrease in all categories in 2025.

• Large motorcycle license: decreased from 1,401 people to 870 people
• Regular motorcycle license: decreased from 6,071 people to 3,790 people
• Small-displacement regular motorcycle license: decreased from 5,235 people to 3,227 people

The year-over-year growth rates are as follows:

• Large motorcycle license: approximately 37.9% decrease
• Regular motorcycle license: approximately 37.6% decrease
• Small-displacement regular motorcycle license: approximately 38.4% decrease

In October 2025, address verification, knowledge assessment, and skills assessment for foreign license conversion became stricter. However, not all of the decrease is necessarily due to the policy change, so it is important not to definitively attribute the cause based solely on statistics.

3. Main Reasons Foreign Nationals Need Motorcycle Licenses

The reasons foreign nationals obtain motorcycle licenses in Japan are not limited to hobbies. In some cases, motorcycles are necessary for daily life and work.

3.1 Useful for Commuting and Daily Transportation

In rural and suburban areas, the frequency of trains and buses may be low, and cars or motorcycles may be necessary.

Having a motorcycle license makes it easier to get around in situations such as the following:

• Commuting from home to the workplace
• Going shopping or to medical appointments
• Traveling to locations far from train stations
• Expanding the range of activities on days off

Small motorcycles are relatively easy to handle and parking spaces are easier to secure, so some people consider them as a means of daily transportation.

3.2 A License May Be Required for Work

Depending on the type of work, a motorcycle license may be a hiring condition or a job requirement.

Typical jobs include the following:

• Delivery work using motorcycles
• Travel to sales destinations
• Delivery of mail and documents
• Movement of goods between stores

However, even if you obtain a license, the types of work you can engage in differ depending on your residence status. If you are obtaining a license for work purposes, it is advisable to confirm in advance with your employer or a specialized organization.

3.3 Enjoy Touring as a Hobby

Japan has many tourist routes suitable for motorcycle riding, including coastal areas and mountainous regions.

By obtaining a motorcycle license, you can enjoy activities such as the following:

• Enjoying seasonal scenery
• Touring with fellow motorcycle enthusiasts
• Visiting places that are difficult to reach by public transportation
• Stepping up from a regular motorcycle to a large motorcycle

If you are riding a motorcycle for the first time, it is important to consider the size and ease of handling of the vehicle and start with a manageable license category.

4. Impact of Stricter Foreign License Conversion Procedures

If you have obtained a motorcycle license in a foreign country, you may be able to convert it to a Japanese license if you meet certain conditions.

However, the foreign license conversion procedures were revised on October 1, 2025, and more thorough preparation is now required than before.

4.1 Changes to the Number of Questions and Passing Criteria for the Knowledge Assessment

The knowledge assessment for foreign license conversion was changed as follows:

• Number of questions: increased from 10 to 50
• Passing criteria: changed from 70% or higher to 90% or higher
• Required number of correct answers: 45 or more out of 50 questions
• Question format: illustration-based questions abolished

There is now a more detailed assessment of whether you accurately understand Japanese traffic rules.

Older websites and videos may still explain that “passing requires 7 out of 10 questions correct,” but this differs from the current criteria.

4.2 Stricter Skills Assessment

In the skills assessment, tasks such as passing through crosswalks have been added.

The main points assessed are as follows:

• Whether you properly signal when turning right or left
• Whether you can stop and perform safety checks
• Whether you pay attention to pedestrians at crosswalks
• Whether you can drive in accordance with Japanese traffic rules

Even if you have been driving in your home country for a long time, the direction of traffic and traffic rules may differ in Japan. It is important to study Japanese road signs and driving methods before the test.

4.3 Stricter Address Verification

From October 2025 onward, when foreign nationals apply for foreign license conversion, address verification using a residence certificate or similar document is required in principle.

Therefore, short-term visitors and tourists who do not have a residence certificate cannot apply for foreign license conversion in principle, except for diplomats and other legal exceptions.

In addition, to use foreign license conversion, you must prove that you resided in the country or region where you obtained the foreign license for a cumulative total of three months or more after obtaining the license.

5. Methods for Foreign Nationals to Obtain a Motorcycle License in Japan

There are two main methods for obtaining a motorcycle license in Japan: foreign license conversion and attending a driving school.

5.1 Using Foreign License Conversion

If you hold a motorcycle license obtained in a foreign country, you may be able to use foreign license conversion.

The general process is as follows:

1. Confirm that the foreign license is valid
2. Prepare a Japanese translation of the license
3. Prove the period of stay in the foreign country
4. Apply to the driver’s license center with jurisdiction over your address
5. Take the knowledge assessment and skills assessment as necessary
6. Obtain a Japanese license after meeting the conditions

Depending on the country or region, the knowledge assessment and skills assessment may be exempted. Required documents and reservation methods also differ by prefecture, so advance confirmation is necessary.

In addition, if you only hold a regular automobile license in a foreign country, you cannot obtain a large motorcycle license through foreign license conversion. In principle, you convert to a Japanese license corresponding to the vehicle type of your foreign license.

5.2 Obtaining a License by Attending a Driving School

If you do not hold a foreign motorcycle license, there is the option of attending a driving school in Japan to obtain one.

The basic process is as follows:

1. Find a driving school that offers motorcycle training
2. Complete enrollment procedures
3. Attend classroom instruction and practical training
4. Pass the skills test at the driving school
5. Take the required tests at the driver’s license examination center

Driving schools offer both commuter-based and residential training camp formats.

• Commuter-based: easy to attend while balancing work or school
• Residential training camp: easy to complete in a short period using extended time off

Conditions for accepting foreign nationals and supported languages differ by driving school. Before applying, confirm whether classroom instruction and teaching materials are available in foreign languages.

6. Compare Driving Schools with Japan License Connect

Japan License Connect allows foreign nationals who want to obtain a license in Japan to access information about driving schools and the licensing system.

When searching for a driving school, it is important to compare the following conditions:

• Supported languages
• Types of licenses you can obtain
• Availability of commuter-based and residential training camp options
• Availability of foreign language teaching materials
• Training fees and plans
• Scope of support for foreign nationals

Even if a school is listed as “foreign language support available,” the content varies—some may only support reception, while others may support classroom instruction and teaching materials.

Rather than deciding on a single driving school, organizing the conditions you need and comparing options will make it easier to find a driving school you can attend with confidence.

7. Summary: Review Proportions and Growth Rates to Proceed with License Acquisition

According to the 2025 National Police Agency statistics, foreign license conversion applicants numbered 870 for large motorcycle licenses, 3,790 for regular motorcycle licenses, and 3,227 for small-displacement regular motorcycle licenses.

The proportions among all successful license applicants are as follows:

• Large motorcycle license: approximately 1.2%
• Regular motorcycle license: approximately 2.0%
• Small-displacement regular motorcycle license: approximately 11.0%

On the other hand, compared to 2024, the number of foreign license conversion applicants decreased by approximately 38% in all categories.

However, the National Police Agency statistics alone do not allow us to confirm the number of motorcycle license holders limited to foreign nationals or proportions by nationality. It is important to understand that “the proportion of foreign license conversion applicants” and “the proportion of foreign nationals” are not the same.

When you are unsure about choosing a driving school, compare conditions such as supported languages, available licenses, and commuter-based or residential training camp options to find a driving school that suits you. For more detailed information on license acquisition, continue to check Japan License Connect.