Looking for ways to drive in Japan? 

Tokyo added 6 new languages to class 1 and class 2 written license exams on specified days starting June 25 to accommodate an increase in foreign workers. 

Class 1 licenses are for operating a private vehicle. A class 2 license is required to operate a commercial passenger-carrying vehicle. 

English has been available for both class 1 and class 2 exams. Chinese was available for just class 1 exams. 

The new languages for both class 1 and class 2 exams include Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and Khmer. 

Examinees can choose their preferred language on the day of the exam at driver’s license centers in Tokyo. 

The new languages are available for class 1 and class 2 on the following days: 
 

Fuchu Driver’s License Center – Every Tuesday 

Samezu Driver’s License Center – Every Wednesday 

Koto Driver’s License Center – Every Thursday (Chinese is available weekdays for class 1 exams) 
 

The police department, which oversees driver’s licenses in Japan, plans to make 20 languages available to create an environment where foreigners can test easily.  

Other languages being prepared include Persian, Portuguese, Thai, Tagalog, Indonesian, Burmese, Ukrainian, Urdu, Arabic, Nepalese, Mongolian, Sinhalese, and Hindi.