Foreigners' Guide

Holders of a valid foreign driving licence may drive in Singapore for up to 12 months from the date of entry without converting, provided the licence is valid and in English (or accompanied by an English translation).

An International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in your home country alongside your national licence is also accepted for the same 12-month period.

• Eligible if you hold a valid PR, EP, S Pass, WP, or DP.
• Your foreign licence must be valid and issued by a recognised country. Myanmar is on the list — see requirements below.
• Visit the Traffic Police (OneMotoring) counter at SLA Building, 8 Shenton Way.
• Submit: valid foreign licence + certified English translation (if not in English), FIN card, passport, 1 passport photo.
• Pay a fee of approx. S$25–S$50 (check current rates at OneMotoring).
• Your Singapore provisional licence is issued; a full licence follows after 1 year with no offences.

• Myanmar licence is recognised for conversion — you do not need to sit the Singapore BTT or driving test.
• Must have held the Myanmar licence for at least 1 year and have driven on it.
• Bring: original Myanmar licence + certified English translation (by a notary or embassy), passport, FIN card.
• If your Myanmar licence is not in English, get it translated at the Myanmar Embassy in Singapore or a certified translator.
• If you have been in Singapore >12 months without converting, you may need to sit the BTT — check with Traffic Police.

Japan accepts an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the Geneva Convention 1949. The IDP is valid for 1 year from the date of latest entry into Japan (not from the issue date of the IDP).

Japan does not accept IDPs issued under the Vienna Convention 1968 — check which convention your home country uses before travelling.

Japan has reciprocal licence conversion agreements with some countries (e.g. Germany, France, Australia). Myanmar is not on this list, which means:

• You must obtain a certified Japanese translation of your Myanmar licence from JAF (Japan Automobile Federation).
• Submit to your prefecture's 免許センター: Myanmar licence + JAF translation, residence card (在留カード), passport, 住民票 (residence certificate), photo.
• Take a written knowledge test (10 questions, pass mark 7/10) in Japanese or some centres allow English.
• Take a practical skill test (in-circuit) at the licence centre — this tests basic car control and circuit route.
• If you pass both, your Japanese licence is issued. JAF translation fee: approx. ¥3,000.

Because Myanmar has no reciprocal agreement with Japan, the fastest legal path to a Japanese licence is:

1. Option A — Driving School: Enrol in a 指定自動車教習所. Expensive (¥250,000–¥400,000) but the school skill test replaces the licence centre skill test. You only need to pass the 本免許学科試験 (theory) at the licence centre. This is the most reliable path.
2. Option B — Licence Centre Direct: Cheaper, but you must pass the skill test at the licence centre, which is harder to pass first-time without school training.

Tip: This app covers the 本免許学科試験 — use the Japan mock tests to prepare.